These cute monster cookies with royal icing are proof that Halloween treats don’t have to be scary at all. I made them with no idea of what I exactly wanted to make, but I love how they turned out!
Sometimes I try out a technique I might use again later, and other times I just invent a new cookie on the spot. Usually, they don’t turn out interesting enough to post on the blog, but these cookies were different!
I didn’t feel like making really scary monsters and I think these look just so sweet especially with the square shapes.
Using royal icing to make sweet cookie monster cookies for Halloween is easy to do and even if you don’t want Halloween decorations, you can make little pumpkins out of them or use other cookie cutters in different shapes. It’s just fun to get you in the Halloween spirit!
For the cookie recipe I used either my cut out sugar cookies or the chocolate sugar cookies . You will need about 30 cookies in a square size. Obviously, depending on how many you want to make. More is always a good thing!
In addition, you also need to make royal icing according to this recipe here.
You will also need a couple of different sizes piping tips and food coloring depending on what you want to make. In the recipe card I give you all the colors that I used. While orange is maybe the standard Halloween color, I went with sweeter colors like blue, pink, green and yellow.
BAKING TIP: To cut the cookie dough into neat squares you can use anything that is square or use specific cookie cutters.
Make sure you make the royal icing according to the 20 second rule, which I explain in my article about royal icing. Next: color the icing and add the different colors into different piping bags. You start by piping the base for the cookies. Let that dry for a few hours.
It’s fun to mix the piping of the eyes a bit. Pipe some while the background layer is still wet and others while it has completely dried. The wet surface will let the eyes sink in the bottom layer.
Piping on a completely dried surface will make sure they eyes sit on top of the purple layer. Using both of those methods will create a fun effect.
Create each cookie different so you have a nice mix of Halloween cookies. Change the number of eyes, the shape of the mouth and even how many teeth they have.
In an airtight container, the decorated cookies will keep for about 3-4 weeks. The cookies will soften a bit due to the icing which I actually really like in combination with the crispy icing on top.
You can freeze them, but the moisture can affect the royal icing. They keep for up to 3 months.
Not really. Square cookie cutters make it easier to get neat cookies, but you can also use anything that has the right size for cutting. Alternatively you can go freestyle and use a sharp knife.
For decorating, a few piping bags and small round tips (#2 or #3) are enough.
You’ll want “20-second icing”. That means when you drag a spoon through the icing, it takes about 20 seconds for the surface to smooth out again. It’s thin enough to flood the cookie but thick enough to hold its shape.
You can, but the finish won’t be quite as smooth and crisp. Royal icing is the best option if you want that classic decorated-cookie look.
Make sure to let each layer of icing dry completely before adding details on top. If you pipe eyes onto wet icing, they’ll sink in for a smooth finish.
If you wait until the base is dry, the eyes will sit on top. Both are fine – you just want to be intentional about the look.
Yes! Bake the cookies a day in advance, then decorate. Once decorated and fully dried, they’ll keep in an airtight container for up to 4 weeks.
Yes, the icing can make the cookies a little softer. Some people love the texture contrast, while others prefer crisp cookies. If you’d like them crunchy again, you can refresh them briefly in the oven at a low temperature.
Definitely! I used only white eyes in this case, but gave some of the cookies three eyes, while others just have one. But you can absolutely give the eyes different colors as well.
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