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These Blood Splatter Cookies are the ultimate Halloween party treat! Deliciously chocolatey with a dramatic “blood” splatter effect, they’re as eerie as they are delicious. Making these cookies is an adventure, perfect for getting into the Halloween spirit. Not only will they impress with their striking appearance, but the rich cocoa flavor will make them the star of your Halloween dessert table!
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Why You’ll Love Blood Splatter Cookies
These cookies are more than just a Halloween gimmick—they’re chewy, fudgy, and packed with chocolate. The process of creating the blood splatter is messy and fun, making this recipe ideal for a Halloween gathering activity. Imagine a tray of these cookies at your party, each one unique and gory-looking, just waiting to give your guests a frightful treat.
And, if you’re searching for more ghoulishly fun ideas, you’ll want to try our Halloween Monster Eye Crinkle Cookies or these irresistibly creepy Hairy Monster Cookies. For all those leftover sweets, we also have a Leftover Halloween Candy Cookies Recipe to make sure no treat goes to waste!
Ingredients for Blood Splatter Cookies
Cookie Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups unsalted sweet cream butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups light brown sugar
- ½ cup sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 4 cups flour
- 1 cup Hershey’s dark cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Royal Icing Ingredients
- 3 large egg whites
- 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 2 ½ cups powdered sugar
- Super red gel food coloring
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Tools You’ll Need
- Standing mixer
- Medium mixing bowl
- Parchment-lined baking sheets
- Fork for splattering icing
How to Make Blood Splatter Cookies
- Prepare the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. - Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a standing mixer, beat the butter, light brown sugar, sugar, eggs, corn syrup, and vanilla extract until the mixture is light and fluffy. - Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a dough forms. - Form the Dough Balls
Use a medium cookie scoop to form dough mounds. Roll each one into a ball with your hands and place it on the baking sheet, lightly pressing to form a thick disk. - Bake
Bake the cookies for 15-18 minutes or until the edges are firm. Let the cookies cool completely before moving to the next step. - Make the Royal Icing
Clean the standing mixer and beat the egg whites, cream of tartar, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture holds soft peaks (about 5-7 minutes). If the icing seems too runny, add another ½ cup of powdered sugar. - Color the Icing
Add 5-7 drops of super red gel food coloring and mix well. Adjust with additional drops as needed until you achieve a deep, blood-red color. - Thin Out the Icing
Add around 2 tablespoons of water to the icing to reach a consistency that flows off a spoon like lava. Cover the workspace with disposable table covers or bags—it’s time to get messy! - Create the Blood Splatter Effect
Dip a fork into the red icing, then splatter it across the cookies by flicking it back and forth. Get creative with the splatters for maximum impact. Allow the icing to dry for about an hour before serving.
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Tips for Perfect Blood Splatter Cookies
- Mess-proof your workspace: The splattering process can get out of hand, so protect your surfaces with trash bags or disposable covers.
- Choose the right food coloring: Gel-based food coloring is essential for a deep, realistic red that won’t fade or get absorbed into the icing.
- Experiment with splatter technique: Vary the angles and flicking intensity of your icing splatters to make each cookie unique and spooky.
Serving Suggestions
These cookies look great on a Halloween dessert table alongside a mix of other spooky treats. Pair them with ghost-themed cupcakes or some creepy-cute Hairy Monster Cookies for a thrilling presentation. Serve with a hot chocolate bar or a batch of bubbling apple cider to complete the Halloween vibe!
Storage Instructions
Store these Blood Splatter Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. If you plan to make them ahead, you can freeze the baked (but undecorated) cookies for up to a month. Once they’re defrosted, add the icing and blood splatter just before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use store-bought icing for the blood splatter?
Yes, you can use store-bought icing, but you’ll need to adjust it with food coloring and thin it out with a bit of water to achieve the perfect consistency for splattering.
What other types of cookies work for this blood splatter effect?
Sugar cookies or snickerdoodles would also be a great base for the blood splatter technique, as long as they’re firm enough to hold the icing without it soaking in.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes, substitute the flour with a gluten-free flour blend that includes xanthan gum for similar results.
Conclusion
If you’re ready to scare up some fun this Halloween, these Blood Splatter Cookies are your go-to treat! They’re festive, delicious, and sure to capture attention at any spooky gathering. Plus, the rich, chocolatey flavor will make even the creepiest cookie lovers come back for seconds.
Don’t forget to share your creations with us on Pinterest! Snap a picture of your cookies, and let us see how your blood splatter turned out. And if you love this recipe, be sure to check out our other Halloween treats like the Halloween Monster Eye Crinkle Cookies or these fantastic Leftover Halloween Candy Cookies!
Happy Halloween and happy baking!
Blood Splatter Cookies: A Spooky Treat for Halloween!
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes (including icing drying time)
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These rich, chocolatey Blood Splatter Cookies are a spooky, eye-catching treat perfect for Halloween! Decorated with a messy red icing splatter, they’re guaranteed to be the talk of the dessert table at your Halloween party. The recipe is simple, but the results are thrillingly eerie—and absolutely delicious!
Ingredients
Cookie Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups unsalted sweet cream butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups light brown sugar
- ½ cup sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 4 cups flour
- 1 cup Hershey’s dark cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Royal Icing Ingredients
- 3 large egg whites
- 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 2 ½ cups powdered sugar
- Super red gel food coloring
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a standing mixer, cream together butter, light brown sugar, sugar, eggs, corn syrup, and vanilla until light and fluffy.
- In a separate bowl, whisk flour, cocoa powder, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt. Gradually mix into the wet ingredients until a dough forms.
- Scoop the dough using a medium cookie scoop, roll into balls, and place on the baking sheet. Lightly press down to flatten.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes until firm around the edges. Cool completely.
- In a clean standing mixer bowl, whip egg whites, cream of tartar, powdered sugar, and vanilla until the icing holds soft peaks. Adjust with extra powdered sugar if too runny.
- Add 5-7 drops of red food coloring to the icing, adding more as needed for a deep blood-red hue.
- Add a couple of tablespoons of water to thin the icing, so it falls off a spoon like lava. Cover your workspace with disposable table covers.
- Dip a fork into the red icing and flick it across the cookies to create a splattered effect. Allow icing to dry for 1 hour before serving.
Notes
- For the best blood splatter effect, be sure to use gel food coloring and thin the icing to a smooth, dripping consistency.
- These cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- The cookies can be baked and frozen, then decorated just before serving for a fresh look!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 230kcal
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 35mg