This post may contain affiliate links learn more
It’s Halloween season, and I couldn’t be more excited to share this hair-raising recipe for Hairy Monster Cookies! These adorable and spooky treats are the perfect way to bring some fun and flavor to your Halloween celebration. With a soft, buttery cookie base and a vibrant “hairy” frosting, these cookies are as delightful to look at as they are to eat. Trust me—your family and friends will be enchanted!
Want more recipes like this? Get quick, easy, and delicious recipes delivered straight to your inbox! Subscribe here.
Buy The Halloween Decoration You Need!
Why You’ll Love This Hairy Monster Cookies Recipe
There are so many reasons to love these cookies:
- Halloween Vibes: They bring just the right amount of spooky fun, thanks to the colorful, “hairy” frosting and candy eyes.
- Easy to Customize: You can make them in any color you like and go wild with the decorations—perfect for letting your creativity shine!
- Delicious: Beyond the fun appearance, the buttery, rich taste of the cookie pairs perfectly with the smooth, sweet frosting.
- Great for Kids: These cookies are so fun to decorate, making them a great activity to do with kids. They’ll love creating their own little monsters!
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the cookies:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
- ½ cup dark brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the frosting:
- 1 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 3 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Gel food coloring (choose any colors you like—red, green, yellow, and more!)
- Small candy eyes for decoration
Tools You’ll Need
- Stand mixer or hand mixer
- Piping bags with grass frosting tips
- Cookie sheet
- Parchment paper
- Round cookie cutter (2.5 or 3 inches)
The High Quality Hand Mixer You Need
How to Make Hairy Monster Cookies
Step 1: Prepare the Cookies
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
In a bowl, combine the flour and salt; set aside.
In a separate large bowl or a stand mixer, beat together the unsalted butter and dark brown sugar until light and fluffy.
Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture and beat until fully incorporated.
Gradually mix in the flour and salt until a dough forms.
Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about ¼-inch thickness. Use a round cookie cutter to cut out cookies.
Place the cutouts onto the lined cookie sheet and bake for 12-14 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Let the cookies cool on a wire rack.
Step 2: Frost and Decorate
While the cookies cool, prepare the frosting. In a stand mixer or using a hand mixer, beat the unsalted butter until creamy.
Add the vanilla extract and mix. Then, gradually add the confectioners’ sugar (one cup at a time), beating until smooth and fluffy.
Divide the frosting into separate bowls and tint each portion with your desired gel food coloring.
Transfer each color into separate piping bags fitted with a grass frosting tip.
Once the cookies are fully cooled, pipe “hair” onto the cookies starting at the edges and working your way inward.
Top with candy eyes to give each cookie its monster personality. You can add one eye, two eyes, or even three for a fun, quirky look!
Tip: Avoid adding the candy eyes if you plan to store the cookies for later, as they can turn soggy.
Additions and Substitutions
Feel free to get creative with your monster cookies:
- Flavor variations: Add a hint of cinnamon or nutmeg for a warm, spiced flavor.
- Candy swap: Use small round candies like M&Ms or Skittles in place of candy eyes for a colorful twist.
- Healthier alternatives: Try swapping half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a slightly healthier version.
Serving Suggestions
These cookies are perfect for:
- Halloween parties: Serve them alongside spooky punch or hot apple cider for a truly themed spread.
- After-school snacks: Surprise your little ones with these festive treats when they come home from school.
- Pair them with these other Halloween delights:
Tips for the Perfect Hairy Monster Cookies
- Chill the dough: For a cleaner cookie cutout, chill your dough for about 30 minutes before rolling it out.
- Thin vs. thick frosting: If your frosting seems too thick to pipe easily, add a tablespoon or two of cream to smooth it out.
- Assembly tip: Use decorating tweezers to place the candy eyes with precision.
Storing Your Hairy Monster Cookies
These cookies are best enjoyed fresh, but you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days (without the candy eyes). If you need to store them longer, you can freeze the cookies (unfrosted) for up to 3 months. Simply thaw and decorate before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough up to 2 days in advance. Just be sure to wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to bake.
What kind of food coloring should I use?
Gel food coloring works best for this recipe because it gives you vibrant colors without making the frosting too runny. You can find these in most grocery stores or specialty baking shops.
Can I freeze frosted cookies?
It’s best to freeze the cookies unfrosted and decorate them after thawing. Frosted cookies don’t freeze well and may become soggy or lose their vibrant color.
Conclusion: Spooky Fun for All!
These Hairy Monster Cookies are the perfect way to add a touch of spooky fun to your Halloween celebrations. Whether you’re making them with kids or surprising guests with a plate full of adorable “monsters,” these cookies are sure to be a hit. Plus, they’re easy to make and even easier to eat!
Don’t forget to pin this recipe on Pinterest! Follow us for more delicious recipes.
Looking for more Halloween treats? Be sure to check out our other ghoulishly fun recipes like the Chocolate Chip Halloween Cookies, Easy Brownie Mix Halloween Monster Cookies, and Halloween Monster Eye Crinkle Cookies.
Nutritional Information (per cookie):
- Calories: 364
- Total Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Carbohydrates: 44g
- Sugars: 30g
- Protein: 3g
Hairy Monster Cookies Recipe: Ghoulishly Fun Halloween Treats!
- Total Time: 2 hours 2 minutes
- Yield: 14 cookie 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Get ready to add some spooky fun to your Halloween celebrations with these delightful Hairy Monster Cookies! Soft, buttery cookies topped with colorful “hairy” frosting and candy eyes make these treats a hit with kids and adults alike. Perfect for Halloween parties or a creative kitchen activity with the family, these cookies will enchant both your taste buds and your guests!
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- ½ cup dark brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the frosting:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 3 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Gel food coloring (red, green, yellow, or colors of your choice)
- Small candy eyes for decorating
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl (or stand mixer), beat together the butter and dark brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until fully incorporated.
- Gradually add the flour mixture, mixing just until the dough forms and pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
- Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to ¼-inch thickness. Cut out cookies using a 2½- or 3-inch round cookie cutter.
- Place cookies on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 12-14 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown. Cool on a wire rack.
- For the frosting, beat the butter until creamy. Gradually add confectioners’ sugar, one cup at a time, and beat until smooth and fluffy. Add the vanilla extract.
- Divide the frosting and color each portion with different gel food colors of your choice.
- Transfer frosting into piping bags fitted with grass tips, then pipe “hair” onto the cooled cookies. Decorate with candy eyes.
Notes
- Tip: Chill the dough for 30 minutes before rolling it out for cleaner, easier cuts.
- If storing the cookies, add the candy eyes just before serving to avoid them turning soggy.
- These cookies can be frozen (unfrosted) for up to 3 months—simply thaw and decorate before serving!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- cooling: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 364kcal
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 48mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 44g
- Fiber: 0
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 66mg