Day of the Dead Cookies Recipe

If you’re looking to bring a festive flair to your kitchen with a treat that’s as fun to decorate as it is delicious, you’ve got to try this Day of the Dead Cookies Recipe. These rich chocolate sugar cookies capture the spirit of the celebration perfectly, with just the right amount of spice and a rainbow of candy decorations that make them totally irresistible. Trust me, once you make these, you’ll want to bake them for every holiday and special occasion!

this …

Ingredients You’ll Need

For this Day of the Dead Cookies Recipe, the ingredients are pretty straightforward, but every one plays an important part in the final flavor and texture. I like to use good-quality unsweetened cocoa powder to get that deep chocolate note without extra sweetness.

• All-purpose flour: Helps create the structure of the cookie – make sure to measure properly for the best texture.
• Unsweetened cocoa powder: Adds rich chocolate flavor while keeping the cookie from being too sweet.
• Ground cinnamon: Brings a warm, subtle spice that’s perfect for Day of the Dead treats.
• Salt: Just a pinch to balance out the sweetness and enhance all the flavors.
• Unsalted butter: Softened for easy creaming, it gives the cookies a tender, melt-in-your-mouth quality.
• Powdered sugar: Adds smooth sweetness and helps create a light, fluffy dough when creamed with butter.
• Egg: Binds everything together and adds richness.
• Vanilla extract: Enhances the cookie’s flavor with a lovely aromatic note.
• Milk: Used in the icing to give it the perfect consistency for decorating.
• Candies and decorations: Think Skittles, sprinkles, candy corn, M&Ms, cinnamon hearts, candy-coated sunflower seeds, licorice, and more—you really can’t go wrong!

Variations

I love how versatile this Day of the Dead Cookies Recipe is—you can tailor it to suit your taste or dietary needs without losing the celebratory vibe. Here are some ways I’ve experimented and loved:

• Gluten-Free Version: I swapped the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free baking blend once, and it worked surprisingly well—just keep an eye on dough hydration.
• Spice It Up: A pinch of cayenne pepper added a nice kick when I wanted a spicier cookie for adult gatherings.
• Different Icing Flavors: Sometimes I add a little orange zest or a drop of almond extract to the icing for fun flavor twists.
• Vegan Adaptation: Using vegan butter and a flax egg gave me a tasty dairy-free option that didn’t miss out on richness.

How to Make Day of the Dead Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Whisk Your Dry Ingredients

Start by whisking together the flour, cocoa powder, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt in a medium bowl. I like to do this early so everything is evenly combined, which really helps the cookies bake evenly and taste perfectly spiced. It also prevents clumps in the dough.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with the powdered sugar on medium speed. This might seem simple, but giving it a full minute until it’s pale and fluffy is key to light, tender cookies. Then add the egg and vanilla extract and beat until fully incorporated.

Step 3: Combine Wet and Dry

Stir in the flour mixture by hand until just combined. Don’t over-mix here—this helps keep the cookies from becoming tough. Once your dough magically comes together, shape it into a disc and wrap it tightly with plastic wrap.

Step 4: Chill the Dough

Refrigerate the dough for at least one hour. This step is a game-changer; it firms up the dough, making it easier to roll out and cut shapes cleanly. Plus, chilling helps the flavors meld beautifully.

Step 5: Roll and Cut

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Lightly flour your surface and roll out the chilled dough to about 1/8-inch thickness. Using themed cookie cutters—like skulls, ovals, or eggs—cut out your shapes. Place them about 2 inches apart on parchment-lined baking sheets. I like to pop my trays back in the fridge for 15 minutes at this point; it helps cookies keep their shape during baking.

Step 6: Bake and Cool

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until the edges are crisp and cookies feel set but aren’t burnt. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before decorating. This pause is critical—you really want the icing to set beautifully without melting away.

Step 7: Make the Icing and Decorate

Whisk powdered sugar and milk together until smooth, then fill a small baggie and snip off one corner to pipe. I like to outline the cookie edges first, leaving a small border, then flood the center with icing, using a toothpick to gently spread it out. Then, the best part—decorate with your favorite candies and sprinkles. This is where the Day of the Dead theme really shines! Kids and adults alike will have a blast here.

How to Serve Day of the Dead Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

I tend to keep the garnishes colorful and playful—things like bright Skittles, rainbow sprinkles, and candy corn really bring these cookies to life against the dark chocolate base. Sometimes I add tiny cinnamon hearts or licorice pieces for an extra pop. The key is to use a mix of shapes and colors that celebrate the Day of the Dead spirit.

Side Dishes

While these cookies can definitely be enjoyed on their own, I like to pair them with a hot cup of Mexican hot chocolate or café de olla—both have rich flavors that complement the cinnamon and cocoa in the cookies beautifully. A fresh fruit platter with oranges and pomegranate seeds also brightens up the table nicely.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I arrange these cookies on a decorated tray surrounded by marigold flowers and colorful papel picado. Another fun idea I tried was setting up a “decorate your own cookie” station with different candies, icing colors, and edible glitter—always a hit with kids and adults alike. You could even add mini skull-shaped cookie cutters as party favors to extend the fun beyond the kitchen.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store these cookies in an airtight container layered with parchment paper between them to keep their decorations intact. They stay fresh for about 4-5 days at room temperature, which is typically perfect since they often disappear faster!

Freezing

If I’m making a big batch ahead of time, I freeze the baked cookies (before icing) on a tray in a single layer, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag once solid. When you’re ready, just thaw completely before decorating. I’ve found this saves a ton of time on busy holiday prep!

Reheating

While these cookies are best enjoyed at room temperature, if you want to warm them up slightly, I recommend a quick 10-second zap in the microwave or a few minutes in a low oven (around 250°F). This gently refreshes their softness without melting your pretty decorations.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Making this Day of the Dead Cookies Recipe has become one of my favorite ways to celebrate the holiday with a delicious, hands-on activity that brings friends and family together. The balance of chocolate and cinnamon flavors with the colorful, playful decorations always makes everyone smile. I hope you’ll enjoy baking and decorating these cookies as much as I do—it’s a sweet tradition made for sharing and creating joyful memories. Give it a try, and let the vibrant spirit of the Day of the Dead fill your kitchen!

Print