28 Spooky and Fun Halloween Cookies to Make This October

October practically begs for a plate of festive cookies, whether you’re hosting a party or just fueling a scary-movie marathon. From spooky shapes to bold fall flavors, the options go far beyond basic chocolate chip. The twenty-eight ideas below range from easy one-bowl bakes to intricately decorated treats, so you can pick the level of effort that suits your schedule. Grab some sprinkles, raid the spice cabinet, and let the Halloween baking begin.

1. Classic Sugar Skull Cookies

These vanilla sugar cookies are rolled a little thicker than usual so they hold their shape while baking. Once cooled, pipe vibrant royal icing to mimic the ornate designs seen on traditional sugar skulls. Edible glitter and candy pearls add extra dimension without complicating the decorating process. Let the icing dry completely before stacking or packaging so the details stay crisp.

2. Pumpkin Spice Cut-Outs

Think of these as autumn’s answer to the classic sugar cookie. Canned pumpkin purée and a hefty spoonful of pumpkin pie spice make each bite taste like a latte in cookie form. Chill the dough for at least an hour to ensure clean edges on every cut-out. A simple cinnamon-sugar dusting keeps decorating stress-free while still looking festive.

3. Black Cat Chocolate Sandwich Cookies

Dutch-process cocoa powder and a touch of black gel food coloring create a dramatic cookie that bakes up crisp and dark. Pipe a quick vanilla buttercream filling between pairs, pressing gently so it peeks out like whiskers. Candy eyeballs turn each sandwich into a playful black cat face. Kids love assembling these almost as much as eating them.

4. Candy Corn Shortbread Bites

A buttery shortbread base gets divided and tinted before being pressed into a loaf pan in three distinct layers. After baking, slice the slab into small triangles that resemble the classic Halloween candy. The cookies aren’t overly sweet, so they balance nicely with the visually bold colors. Store them in an airtight tin to keep that signature shortbread snap.

5. Monster Mash M&M Cookies

This soft, chewy dough welcomes any mix-ins lurking in your pantry. Stir in chocolate candies, chopped pretzels, and a handful of sprinkles for a true “everything” cookie. Press candy eyeballs on top right after the tray comes out of the oven so they adhere while remaining visible. Each cookie looks like a goofy monster, making them perfect for classroom parties.

6. Mummy Oreo Truffles

Crush chocolate sandwich cookies and blend with cream cheese to form a rich, no-bake truffle. After chilling, dip each ball in melted white chocolate and let the excess drip off. A quick drizzle of more white chocolate creates the mummy wrappings. Keep them refrigerated until serving so the coating stays firm.

7. Witch Hat Peanut Butter Blossoms

This twist on the classic blossom swaps the Hershey’s Kiss orientation for a fun illusion. Bake chewy peanut butter rounds, then immediately press a chocolate kiss point-side down into the center. Pipe a thin band of colored frosting around the base to finish the witch-hat look. The salty-sweet flavor never disappoints.

8. Spooky Spiderweb Linzers

Ground almonds give these Austrian classics a nutty richness that pairs well with tart jam. Use a small round cutter to remove the centers before baking, then pipe lines of chocolate on the top halves to form spiderwebs. Sandwich with raspberry or blackberry preserves for a blood-red peek-through. The delicate texture crumbles just right when bitten.

9. Cinnamon Bat Snickerdoodles

You’ll roll the dough in cinnamon sugar twice: once before cutting and again after baking for extra sparkle. The bat cutter creates impressive silhouettes without complicating the recipe. Cream of tartar in the dough guarantees the classic snickerdoodle tang. Serve warm so the cinnamon fragrance fills the room.

10. Bloody Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies

These fudgy cookies get their dramatic color from red gel food coloring and a dash of cocoa powder. Before baking, roll dough balls in powdered sugar; the surface splits in the oven, creating spooky fissures. A hint of cream cheese flavor nods to classic red velvet cake. They stay soft for days, making them ideal make-ahead treats.

11. Haunted Graveyard Dirt Cookies

Start with a double batch of chewy chocolate cookies, then crumble half into a bowl to create edible soil. Spread chocolate ganache over the remaining whole cookies and press them upright into the “dirt” like tombstones. Candy worms and spooky sprinkles add playful texture. Kids love assembling the scene almost as much as devouring it.

12. Ghostly Meringue Kisses

Whip egg whites and sugar until stiff peaks form, then pipe small cones onto a parchment-lined sheet. A low, slow bake keeps the meringues bright white while drying them to a crisp. Melted chocolate or black gel accents create simple eyes and mouths. Store in an airtight container to maintain their airy texture.

13. Frankenstein Matcha Sugar Cookies

Matcha powder lends a natural green hue and a subtle earthy flavor—no artificial coloring needed. After baking, dip the tops in melted dark chocolate to form spiky hair. Add candy eyes and a piped icing mouth for instant personality. They taste slightly grassy in the best way, balanced by the sweetness of the sugar cookie base.

14. Caramel Apple Oatmeal Cookies

These hearty cookies capture fairground flavors without the sticky mess. Diced dried apples hold their shape better than fresh fruit, preventing excess moisture. Caramel baking bits melt into gooey pockets that stay soft even after cooling. A pinch of nutmeg rounds out each comforting bite.

15. Vampire Fang Almond Cookies

The base dough resembles classic Italian amaretti, delivering a chewy interior and crisp edges. After forming indents with a thumb, spoon in a dab of bright red jam. Two almond slivers pressed at an angle look like sharp teeth emerging from a bloody bite. These disappear quickly at Halloween gatherings.

16. Charcoal Black Cocoa Sandwich Cookies

Black cocoa powder produces an Oreo-like darkness and a deep chocolate flavor. The dough rolls easily and bakes into sturdy rounds perfect for pairing. Whip up a vivid orange buttercream to contrast the inky shells. The color combo alone screams Halloween before anyone even takes a bite.

17. Pumpkin Cheesecake Thumbprints

Cream-cheese-based filling turns these thumbprints into mini cheesecakes in disguise. The cookie itself features brown sugar and pumpkin pie spice for warm notes that complement the tangy center. Bake the cookies, then pipe the filling and return to the oven briefly to set. Cool completely so the centers firm up before serving.

18. Skeleton Gingerbread Men

Molasses and a hearty spice blend give these cookies a bold flavor and a sturdy structure for decorating. Use a simple piping bag filled with royal icing to draw rib cages, skulls, and limb bones. The high contrast between dark cookie and white icing makes the details pop. They double as edible ornaments if you punch a hole before baking.

19. Chai-Spiced Moon Cookies

Ground cardamom, cinnamon, and ginger turn a simple butter cookie into something aromatic and cozy. Shape the dough into delicate crescents that resemble crescent moons hanging in a Halloween night sky. A final roll in spiced sugar adds crunch and fragrance. Enjoy them alongside a warm beverage for peak fall vibes.

20. Salted Caramel Pretzel Witch Fingers

These creepy fingers start with a simple shortbread dough shaped into skinny logs. Once baked, brush with melted caramel and immediately press into finely crushed pretzels for a salty crunch. Whole almonds create convincing fingernails and add nutty depth. A sprinkle of flake salt balances the sweetness beautifully.

21. Toxic Slime Lime Cookies

Lime zest and juice bring a tart punch to these soft, cakey cookies. After cooling, dip the tops in a neon green citrus glaze made with food coloring. The shiny surface looks like cartoonish slime, perfect for a mad-scientist theme. Store between layers of parchment to keep the glaze intact.

22. Maple Pecan Leaf Cookies

Pure maple syrup sweetens the dough while ground pecans add subtle crunch. A leaf-shaped cutter ties the treat to the turning foliage outside. Brush with a thin maple glaze for an extra layer of flavor and shine. They pair wonderfully with apple cider on a chilly night.

23. Spiced Molasses Gargoyle Cookies

Dark molasses, cloves, and black pepper give these cookies a bold, almost smoky profile. The dough is intentionally rough so the baked cookies develop craggy “stone” surfaces reminiscent of gothic gargoyles. Coarse sugar sprinkled before baking adds a subtle sparkle, like dew on a cathedral roof. Serve them with strong coffee for a grown-up treat.

24. Candy Corn Macarons

Pipe your almond meringue batter in three successive layers to replicate the iconic candy corn stripes. Once shells cool, sandwich them with a marshmallow buttercream for nostalgic sweetness. They look intricate but rely on the same basic macaron technique. Age them overnight in the fridge for the chewiest texture.

25. Werewolf Claw Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Go big on dark chocolate chunks to make these cookies as bold as a full-moon night. Before baking, drag a fork through the dough in three lines to create menacing claw marks. A hint of smoked sea salt intensifies the deep cocoa flavors. Serve warm so the melted chocolate pools around the “claws.”

26. Hocus Pocus Confetti Cookies

These soft sugar cookies burst with festive jimmies mixed right into the dough. Swap ordinary rainbow sprinkles for holiday colors to keep the palette seasonally spooky. A touch of almond extract elevates the flavor without overpowering. They’re an easy win for bake sales and potlucks alike.

27. Dark Forest Cherry Chocolate Cookies

Inspired by Black Forest cake, these cookies marry rich cocoa with tart cherries. The dried fruit plumps slightly during baking, creating juicy pockets in each bite. Bitter-sweet chocolate pieces keep the sweetness in check. They taste even better the next day as flavors mingle.

28. Raven’s Feather Black Sesame Cookies

Ground black sesame seeds lend nutty depth and pitch-black color without any dye. A ridged cookie press or fork marks give each disc a feathered aesthetic. Slightly crisp edges contrast with a tender interior. The unique flavor profile wins over adventurous palates.