Sheet Pan Sugar Cookies are a classic for a reason - they're easy to make, endlessly customizable, and always a crowd-pleaser. But this Halloween, take your sugar cookie game to the next level with these festive Halloween Sheet Pan Sugar Cookies!
This recipe transforms a store-bought roll of sugar cookie dough into a spooky and delightful treat. Simply spread the dough out onto a sheet pan, bake, and decorate with a hauntingly delicious frosting and creepy candy toppings.
PRO TIP: I've also include the recipe for homemade sugar cookie dough and frosting so you can make this Halloween treat from scratch as well!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
These Halloween Sheet Pan Sugar Cookies are perfect for busy parents or anyone looking for a fun and festive dessert to whip up for Halloween parties, bake sales, or spooky movie nights.
They're easy enough for kids to help with and have an easy clean up, leaving more time for costume-wearing and trick-or-treating fun.
Additionally, if you prefer to make homemade sugar cookie dough, and homemade frosting, I've included recipes for both!
- Quick and Easy To Make: This recipe uses store-bought cookie dough for ultimate convenience, making it perfect for last-minute Halloween baking. No rolling out, no cookie cutter, and almost no mess!
- Kid-Friendly: Decorating these cookies is a fun and engaging activity for children of all ages.
- Festive and Customizable: Get creative with cookie shapes and spooky candy toppings to create unique and personalized Halloween treats.
- Perfect for Parties: These cookies are ideal for Halloween parties, bake sales, or classroom treats.
Ingredients You'll Need
Near Halloween, you'll find Purple, Lime Green, Orange, and Black tubs of frosting available at your grocery store. Or, make your own homemade frosting (recipe included in the recipe card below).
Fast & Easy Halloween Sheet Pan Sugar Cookies
- Pillsbury Sugar Cookie dough roll - or any brand of ready to bake sugar cookie dough.
- Frosting - ready to spread frosting in your preferred color.
- Halloween Decorations - candy eyes, gummy worms, and sprinkles.
Basic Homemade Sugar Cookie Dough (for homemade cookie dough!)
- Butter
- Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Vanilla
- Egg
- Flour
- Baking Soda
- Salt
Homemade Frosting
- Butter - softened to room temperature
- Cream cheese - softened to room temperature
- Powdered sugar
- Milk
- Vanilla
- Food coloring - liquid or gel
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How To Make Sheet Pan Sugar Cookies
You can use store bought sugar cookie dough and frosting, or you can make the sugar cookies and frosting from scratch. See the recipe card for making these fun Halloween treats using two different methods!
Press the Dough Into the Sheet Pan
- Preheat your oven according to the package instructions for the cookie dough. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or spray with non-stick cooking spray.
- Let the roll of cookie dough soften slightly at room temperature for about 30 minutes before pressing it into the pan. This will make it easier to spread evenly.
- Unroll the cookie dough and evenly press it onto the prepared baking sheet. Aim for a uniform thickness of about ¼ inch.
- Bake the cookie sheet for the recommended time on the cookie dough package, or until the edges are golden brown.
Frost The Cooled Sheet Pan Cookie
- Let the cookie sheet cool completely on a wire rack before decorating.
- Use homemade or store-bought frosting in orange, purple, or green for a festive Halloween touch. You can also tint white frosting with food coloring.
- Get creative with your candy toppings! Candy eyeballs, sprinkles, chocolate bats, candy corn, and orange slices are all fantastic options.
Cut and Serve
- Cut into squares or bars and arrange the Halloween Sheet Pan Sugar Cookies on a platter for a festive centerpiece. Serve and enjoy!
Tips for Success
Here are a few tips for making this sheet pan cookie recipe:
- Aim for a consistent cookie dough thickness to ensure even baking.
- Keep an eye on the sheet pan cookie as it bakes. It's done when the edges are golden brown, but the center should still be slightly soft.
- Completely cool before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
Substitutions and Variations
Here are a few delicious variations or substitutions when making this cookie recipe.
- Feel free to experiment with different flavors of store-bought cookie dough, such as chocolate chip or peanut butter.
- Vanilla frosting is a classic, but you can also find frosting for Halloween in ready to spread tubs now! Homemade frosting is always an option too!
- Get creative with your Halloween spirit! Candy eyeballs, gummy worms, chocolate sprinkles, and orange or black sanding sugar are all great options for spooky decorations.
Serving Suggestions
Arrange the Halloween Sheet Pan Sugar Cookies on a platter for a festive centerpiece. Serve alongside other Halloween treats like cupcakes, brownies, or popcorn balls for a spooky snack spread.
Package individual cookies in cellophane bags for your party trick-or-treaters or classroom treats.
Related Recipes
- Halloween Jello Brain
- 28 Spooktacular Halloween Party Trick or Treats
- Halloween Orange Sherbet Punch
- Halloween Boo Bark
- Halloween Sweet and Sour Chicken 'Bat' Wings
Storage Options
- These frosted sheet pan cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Frosted or unfrosted cookies can be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Any store-bought roll of sugar cookie dough will work perfectly in this cookie project.
Absolutely! This recipe can easily be adapted to use your favorite homemade sugar cookie dough recipe.
Any store-bought frosting will work! For a more homemade feel, use your favorite frosting recipe.
While this recipe is designed for a sheet pan style cookie, you can certainly use cookie cutters to cut out shapes from the unbaked dough before placing it on the baking sheet. Just be sure to re-roll any scraps to minimize waste.
More Delish Ideas
- Halloween Orange Sherbet Punch
- Baked Ube Leche Flan Recipe
- Matcha White Chocolate Cookies
- Sugar Sprinkle Cookies
Halloween Sheet Pan Sugar Cookies (2 Methods)
Ingredients
- 1 roll Sugar Cookie dough store bought
- 1 tub Frosting store bought, any color
- ¼ cup Sprinkles any Halloween Sprinkles and Decor
OR - Homemade Sugar Cookie Dough
- 1 cup 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
and Homemade Frosting
- ½ cup butter softened
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 3 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- food color use as needed, any color
- 2 tablespoon milk
Instructions
For Store Bought Sugar Cookie Dough (Method 1)
- Preheat your oven according to the package instructions for the cookie dough. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or spray with non-stick cooking spray.
- Let the roll of cookie dough soften slightly at room temperature for about 30 minutes before pressing it into the pan. This will make it easier to spread evenly.1 roll Sugar Cookie dough
- Unroll the cookie dough and evenly press it onto the prepared baking sheet. Aim for a uniform thickness of about ¼ inch.
- Bake the cookie sheet for the recommended time on the cookie dough package, or until the edges are golden brown.
- Cool the sheet pan cookie completely and then decorate with store bought or homemade frosting. Sprinkle with decorations, cut into bars, and enjoy.1 tub Frosting, ¼ cup Sprinkles
or make Homemade Sugar Cookie dough (Method 2)
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a small baking sheet (around 9x13 inches) with parchment paper, or spray with non-stick spray.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes with an electric mixer.1 cup 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened, ½ cup granulated sugar, ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.1 large egg, 1 ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix!2 ¼ cup all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon baking soda, ½ teaspoon salt
- Press the sugar cookie dough out onto the prepared sheet pan surface to a thickness of about ¼ inch. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.
- Let the cookies cool completely on the baking sheet before frosting or decorating.
and Homemade Frosting
- In a large bowl using an electric mixer, beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes.½ cup butter, 8 oz cream cheese
- Gradually add the powdered sugar to the cream cheese mixture on low speed until just combined. Once most of the powdered sugar is incorporated, increase the mixer speed to medium and beat for another minute or two until smooth and creamy.3 cup powdered sugar
- Stir in the vanilla extract and your choice of food coloring. If the frosting seems too thick for spreading, add milk one tablespoon at a time until it reaches your desired consistency.1 teaspoon vanilla, food color, 2 tablespoon milk
- Frost the cooled sheet pan sugar cookie and then add your favorite Halloween decorations.
Notes
- Aim for a consistent cookie dough thickness to ensure even baking.
- Keep an eye on the sheet pan cookie as it bakes. It's done when the edges are golden brown, but the center should still be slightly soft.
- Completely cool before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
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