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Spooky Swirl Cookies make the perfect Halloween treat for your scary parties. The combo of bright orange and deep black dough creates a stunning look that tastes amazing too. They're super simple to put together and will wow everyone at your get-together! Let's check out what goes into these Halloween favorites.
WHAT YOU'LL NEED
- 3 cups all-purpose flour: This forms your cookie base and gives them their soft texture.
- 1 tsp baking powder: Just a bit to make your cookies puff up slightly.
- ½ tsp salt: Brings out all the sweet flavors in your cookies.
- 1 cup butter (room temperature): Makes everything rich and creates that chewy bite.
- 1½ cups granulated sugar: Adds the sweetness and helps the outside get that nice golden touch.
- 2 large eggs: Keeps everything stuck together and adds moisture.
- 2 tsp vanilla extract: Gives your cookies that cozy, sweet taste everyone loves.
- 1 tsp orange gel food coloring (electric orange): Turns half your dough into a bright Halloween shade.
- 1 tsp black gel food coloring (super black): Makes the other half dark to pop against the orange.
- Halloween sprinkles (optional): For extra fun around the edges if you want them.
HOW TO MAKE THEM
- Step 1:
- Mix your flour, salt, and baking powder in a bowl. Stir it all together and put it aside for now.
- Step 2:
- Grab another bigger bowl and beat the room temp butter with sugar until it's fluffy and light. You'll need about 2-3 minutes with your mixer.
- Step 3:
- Drop in the eggs and vanilla to your butter mix and keep beating until everything's blended well.
- Step 4:
- Slowly add the flour mixture into your wet ingredients, mixing until you get a nice smooth dough.
- Step 5:
- Split the dough in half. Color one chunk orange and the other black with the gel colors. Work each one separately until the color looks even.
- Step 6:
- Shape both colored doughs into balls, press them into rectangles, and wrap them in plastic. Stick them in the fridge for 1-2 hours to get firm.
- Step 7:
- After chilling, roll each colored dough about ⅛ - ¼ inch thick. Put the black layer on the orange one, trim the edges so they're neat, then roll them together into a log.
- Step 8:
- If you want, roll the outside of your dough log in Halloween sprinkles for more fun. Wrap it in plastic and chill it again for at least an hour.
- Step 9:
- Turn your oven to 350°F. Cut the cold dough log into ¼ - ½ inch slices and lay them on a baking sheet with parchment, keeping them about 2 inches apart.
- Step 10:
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until they don't look shiny on top anymore. Let them cool on a rack before eating.
How to Serve and Store
- These taste best when they're not hot or cold but just room temperature.
- Take them to Halloween parties, pack them in treat bags, or share them with neighbors and friends.
- Keep your cookies in something airtight at room temperature and they'll stay good for 5 days.
- Want them later? Freeze the dough log and slice off cookies whenever you need them.
Ideas from Expert Bakers
- Alton Brown says chilling your dough isn't just for show—it lets flavors blend better and helps cookies bake more evenly.
- Sally McKenney always picks gel food coloring because it makes brighter colors without making your dough too wet.
MIX IT UP
- Switch colors to match other holidays—like red and pink cookies for Valentine's Day.
- Add some almond extract or a dash of cinnamon to change up the flavor profile.
- Pour some melted chocolate or white chocolate on top for extra sweetness.