Description
Soft, chewy sugar cookies infused with a subtle wood-fired smoke flavor, decorated with stark black cocoa royal icing for a spooky Halloween treat.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups (315g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons black cocoa powder
- 3–4 cups (360-480g) confectioners’ sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons milk or heavy cream
- Gel food coloring (Orange, Purple, Green)
- Optional: White chocolate chips, orange sprinkles, edible glitter
Instructions
- Prep the grill by arranging charcoal for indirect heat and heating to 350°F (175°C).
- Cream softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in egg and vanilla extract until combined.
- Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients until just combined.
- Wrap dough in plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
- Roll chilled dough to ¼-inch thickness and cut into shapes using cookie cutters.
- Place cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Grill cookies over indirect heat for 12-15 minutes until edges are golden brown.
- Cool cookies completely on the sheet before icing.
- Sift confectioners’ sugar and mix with black cocoa powder.
- Add milk or cream and beat until smooth, adjusting consistency for piping.
- Divide icing and mix with gel food coloring.
- Pipe designs onto cooled cookies and let dry completely.
Notes
Ensure dough is chilled before grilling to prevent spreading. Use parchment paper to prevent sticking. Black cocoa provides color and depth; do not overuse in dough. Icing should be thick but pipeable. Store in airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 18
- Sodium: 120
- Fat: 8
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Protein: 2
Keywords: Halloween cookies, grilled sugar cookies, black cocoa icing, outdoor baking, spooky treats, Halloween party food