Come Halloween, I skip the candy. I’m usually just craving apple and pumpkin treats—those lovely baked goods that the season allows for. I like to make it a contest…and see how much I can bake and eat before the season ends.
I win every year.
But for the holiday, I break from the apple and pumpkin situation to get into the spirit of things. I like sugar cookies a great deal, so these are perfect, chic treats for a kid party; or one of those parties where adults are super dressed up in weird things and creep me out.
Spooky Spiral Cookies
Work Time
1 hr 30 mins
Total Time
1 hr 30 mins
To make these psychedelic sweets, use ready-made dough or your favorite sugar cookie recipe.
Yield: 4 Dozen
Ingredients
- 4 dozen sugar cookies I baked 2-, 2 1/2 and 3-inch rounds
- 1 lb 4 cups confectioners' sugar
- 5 tbsp meringue powder or powdered egg whites
- Gel paste food coloring
Instructions
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With an electric mixer, mix sugar, meringue powder and 1/2 cup water on low speed, scraping sides of bowl until icing thickens to a yogurt like consistency, about 4 min.
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Divide icing among three bowls and tint black, green and orange. Transfer to piping bags fitted with #3 plain tips and secure bag ends with rubber bands to prevent drying.
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Create a smooth layer of icing by outlining each cookie first; then pipe in the center area (icing will run together). Let dry about 10 min before adding spirals. Allow icing to set about 3 hr or overnight. Store covered for up to 1 week or frozen for up to 2 months.
Recipe by Tara Bench
Originally published in Ladies’ Home Journal Oct 2009
Photography Hallie Burton
Food Styling Joyce Sangirardi
Prop Styling Lynsey Freyers
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