Name: Best Witch Hat Halloween Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 2 h 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 2 tsp cornstarch; 1/2 tsp baking soda; 1/4 tsp baking powder; 1/8 tsp fine sea salt; 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened; 1 cup white sugar; 1 large egg; 3/4 cup smooth peanut butter; 1 tsp vanilla extract; Purple gel food coloring; Halloween sprinkles or purple sanding sugar; 33 chocolate kisses or Hugs candies, unwrapped

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 tsp cornstarch

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp baking powder

1/8 tsp fine sea salt

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

1 cup white sugar

1 large egg

3/4 cup smooth peanut butter

1 tsp vanilla extract

Purple gel food coloring

Halloween sprinkles or purple sanding sugar

33 chocolate kisses or Hugs candies, unwrapped

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line sheet trays with parchment paper. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, baking powder, and sea salt until evenly combined. Set aside.

Step 2: In a separate bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar together using an electric mixer for about 2 minutes until light and fluffy. Mix in the egg until fully incorporated, then add the peanut butter and vanilla extract, stirring well.

Step 3: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring to form a uniform dough. Add purple gel food coloring a little at a time, mixing thoroughly until you reach your desired shade without streaks.

Step 4: Using a 1-tablespoon scoop, portion the dough into mounds on a parchment-lined sheet tray, placing them close but not touching. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or overnight to prevent spreading.

Step 5: Roll each chilled dough mound into a smooth ball, then coat completely with Halloween sprinkles or purple sanding sugar. Arrange on prepared trays spaced 2 inches apart. Bake for 9–11 minutes until puffed and slightly cracked, leaving them slightly underbaked for a soft interior.

Step 6: Cool cookies on the tray for 5 minutes, then gently press an unwrapped chocolate kiss or Hug candy into the center of each while still warm. Immediately place the tray in the freezer for 10 minutes to set the chocolate. Transfer cookies to a wire rack to finish cooling before serving.

Tips & Variations

For a nut-free version, substitute the peanut butter with sunflower seed butter or omit it and add an extra 1/4 cup butter for texture.

You can experiment with different gel food coloring shades to match your party theme beyond purple.

Use festive sprinkles or sanding sugar in different colors to customize the look of your witch hats.

FAQs

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough and chill it overnight or even freeze it for up to one month. Just thaw in the refrigerator before scooping and baking.

Why should I chill the dough before baking?

Chilling the dough firms it up, which helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much while baking. This results in thicker, more shapely cookies that hold the witch hat look better.