Spooktacular Giant Ghost Cookie Cake: An Easy Halloween Baking Recipe for Family Fun
Are you searching for a delightful and straightforward Halloween baking activity to enjoy with your children this spooky season? Forget the tedious task of rolling out dozens of individual cookies! This giant ghost cookie cake offers a fantastic, all-in-one solution that’s both fun to make and incredibly impressive.
In under 30 minutes of active prep time, with just a few basic ingredients like sugar cookie dough, creamy white frosting, and colorful M&M’s, you can create the most adorable and delicious ghost cookie cake. It’s a project so simple, that even beginner bakers will feel like seasoned pros. Plus, we’ve included a handy printable template that makes achieving that perfect ghost shape an absolute breeze! Get ready to impress your little ghouls and goblins with a treat that tastes as good as it looks.
The inspiration for this giant cookie cake came from the beloved ghost character featured in our “You’ve Been Booed” printables. We knew instantly that this charming specter deserved to be immortalized as a grand-scale, edible masterpiece. Whether you’re planning a lively Halloween party, hosting a festive fall playdate, or simply looking for a fun and engaging activity to do with your kids on a crisp autumn afternoon, this cookie cake is the ideal choice. We’re here to demonstrate just how effortlessly this impressive dessert comes together. Truly, if you can spread frosting with a knife, you possess all the necessary skills to create this boo-tiful treat!
What You Need To Make This Easy Ghost Cookie Cake
Gathering your ingredients and tools is the first step to any successful baking adventure. For this giant ghost cookie cake, you’ll find that most items are readily available, making this a stress-free project for any home baker.
- Sugar Cookie Dough: You’ll need one recipe of your favorite cut-out sugar cookie dough. This type of dough is crucial as it holds its shape well during baking, ensuring your ghost maintains its friendly form. Using a homemade recipe often yields the best flavor and texture, but for ultimate convenience, a good quality store-bought refrigerated sugar cookie dough will also work in a pinch. Just make sure it’s suitable for rolling and cutting!
- White Icing or Frosting: The ghostly appearance relies on smooth, white frosting. We personally love using our easy sugar cookie icing recipe, which offers a lovely, soft set that’s perfect for eating. If you prefer a completely hardened finish, ideal for stacking or mailing, royal icing would be your go-to. For maximum ease, a can of pre-made vanilla frosting from the grocery store is a perfectly acceptable shortcut.
- 3 Brown M&M’s: These will form the adorable eyes and the smiling mouth of your ghost.
- 2 Orange M&M’s: A touch of color adds charm! These vibrant M&M’s create the ghost’s cute, rosy cheeks.
- Sharp Knife: A thin, straight-edged knife (not serrated) is essential for precisely cutting out the ghost shape from the dough.
- Parchment Paper: This is a non-negotiable item for easy rolling, cutting, and transferring of your giant cookie. It prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
- Printable Ghost Cutting Guide Template: Download and print this template to ensure a perfectly shaped ghost every time. It eliminates guesswork and guarantees consistent results.
Video Tutorial
How to Make This Easy Ghost Cookie Cake: A Step-by-Step Guide
Creating this giant ghost cookie cake is an incredibly rewarding experience, especially when shared with little helpers. Follow these simple steps for a ghoulishly good time!
Step 1: Mix & Roll Out Dough with Precision
Begin by preparing your favorite cut-out sugar cookie dough according to your chosen recipe. Once your dough is ready, the rolling process is key to a perfectly shaped cookie cake. For best results, roll the dough evenly to approximately ⅜” thick. This thickness is important because it ensures the cookie bakes through without being too brittle or too soft. Crucially, you must roll the dough directly onto a large piece of parchment paper. This simple trick makes transferring the delicate, cut ghost shape to the baking sheet incredibly easy and prevents any distortion. Aim to roll your dough large enough to accommodate the entire ghost template, roughly the size of a standard letter-sized piece of paper or slightly larger, depending on your template’s dimensions.
Pro Tip: To achieve an even thickness, use two wooden dowels or rulers of the same thickness on either side of your dough as you roll. Your rolling pin will glide over them, ensuring a consistent height across the entire dough.
Step 2: Cut Out the Ghost Shape Using Your Template
With your dough perfectly rolled, it’s time to bring your ghost to life! First, print and carefully cut out the ghost shape from the printable template provided. Once cut, gently lay this paper template on top of your rolled cookie dough. Now, using a sharp, thin, and straight-edged knife (avoid serrated knives as they will create jagged edges), carefully trim around the perimeter of the template. Take your time to make clean, precise cuts. The goal is to remove all the excess dough, leaving only the beautifully formed ghost shape on the parchment paper. Don’t worry about any leftover dough; you can re-roll and use it for smaller Halloween cookies if desired!
Step 3: Bake to Golden Perfection
Once your ghost is neatly cut, it’s time for baking. Carefully slide the parchment paper, with your ghost dough still on it, onto a sturdy baking pan. This is another advantage of rolling directly on parchment – no need to lift and transfer the raw dough, which can easily lose its shape. Bake your cookie according to your specific sugar cookie recipe’s instructions. If you’re using our recommended recipe, a temperature of 350°F (175°C) for approximately 10-14 minutes should yield perfect results. The key indicators for doneness are when the center is fully baked through and the edges appear *slightly browned*. Keep in mind that baking times can fluctuate based on your oven’s calibration and the exact thickness you rolled your dough. Always err on the side of slightly underbaking for a softer cookie cake, but ensure it’s cooked enough to hold its shape.
Step 4: Allow to Cool Completely, Then Frost Generously
Patience is a virtue, especially when it comes to decorating! After baking, allow your giant ghost cookie to cool completely on the baking sheet before attempting to frost it. A warm cookie will cause your frosting to melt and slide right off. To expedite the cooling process, you can carefully transfer the baking sheet with the cookie to the refrigerator for about 15-20 minutes. Once fully cooled, it’s time to give your ghost its iconic white coat! Spread your chosen white icing or frosting evenly over the entire surface of the cookie. For a rustic, homemade look, a simple knife or offset spatula works perfectly. If you desire a more polished and clean finish, transfer your frosting to a piping bag (with or without a tip) and first create an outline around the ghost’s edges, then fill in the center, smoothing it out for a flawless appearance. This step is where your ghost truly takes shape!
Step 5: Place on the Whimsical Eyes & Mouth
While your white icing is still soft and wet, carefully place your M&M’s to create your ghost’s adorable face. Position the two whole brown M&M’s for the eyes, giving your ghost a friendly, watchful gaze. Next, add the two orange M&M’s slightly below and to the side of the eyes to form charming, rosy cheeks. For the mouth, take one more brown M&M and carefully cut it in half with a sharp knife. Place one of these halves, cut-side down, to create a sweet, crescent-shaped smile. Don’t be discouraged if it takes a couple of tries to get a perfectly even half-cut M&M – it’s all part of the fun! This step truly brings the ghost’s personality to life.
Step 6: Cut into Squares & Enjoy Your Spooky Treat!
Once your frosting has set slightly (if using a recipe that sets, or immediately if you’re too eager!), it’s time to serve this magnificent treat. Using a sharp knife, carefully cut your giant ghost cookie cake into individual squares or rectangles. This makes it easy for guests, especially little ones, to grab a portion. This giant ghost cookie cake is truly the perfect centerpiece for any Halloween party dessert table, a festive addition to a school bake sale, or simply a delightful weekend activity to share with your kids. Watch their faces light up as they dig into this wonderfully spooky and utterly delicious creation!
Frequently Asked Questions About Your Giant Ghost Cookie Cake:
We’ve compiled answers to some common questions to help ensure your giant ghost cookie cake is a resounding success!
What frosting should I use for my ghost cookie cake?
The choice of frosting can significantly impact the final texture and stability of your cookie cake. We personally love our easy sugar cookie icing. It’s a fantastic middle-ground option that sets beautifully without becoming rock-hard, allowing for easy cutting and a pleasant bite. If your intention is to ship the cookie cake, stack it for a display, or simply prefer a completely firm, crisp finish, then royal icing would be the superior choice as it dries to a very hard consistency. For those seeking the absolute easiest route, a good quality canned vanilla frosting from your local grocery store can be a convenient and delicious alternative. Just be aware that canned frosting usually remains soft, which might make stacking or long-distance transport a bit trickier.
Where can I get the ghost template and that “Boo” banner?
The essential printable ghost cutting guide template is available for download directly in the “What You Need” section above, making it incredibly easy to get started. As for the charming “Boo” banner shown in some of our photos, that’s part of our popular “You’ve Been Booed” printables set. You can find and download that entire collection, which includes the banner, to complete your Halloween decor and surprise your neighbors!
Can I use store-bought sugar cookie dough for this recipe?
Absolutely! While a homemade dough offers the best flavor, a good quality store-bought, refrigerated sugar cookie dough is a fantastic time-saver. Just ensure it’s the kind designed for rolling and cutting, rather than drop cookies. You’ll still roll it out on parchment paper as instructed to make transferring easy.
How should I store the giant ghost cookie cake?
To keep your cookie cake fresh, store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. If your frosting is prone to melting in warmer climates, or if you’ve used a cream cheese-based frosting (though not recommended for this specific recipe), you might want to refrigerate it. Just be sure to bring it back to room temperature before serving for the best texture.
Can I make this cookie cake ahead of time?
Yes, you can certainly prepare parts of this recipe in advance! The sugar cookie dough can typically be made and refrigerated for up to 3-5 days, or even frozen for a month. The baked (but unfrosted) cookie can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for a day or two. Frosting and decorating is best done on the day of serving, or the day before, to ensure the freshest appearance and taste.
What are some other fun ways to decorate this ghost cookie cake?
Beyond the classic M&M face, there are many ways to get creative! You could add sprinkles in Halloween colors (orange, black, purple) to the wet frosting for an extra festive touch. Edible food markers can be used by older children or adults to draw more intricate faces or even ghost chains. A little bit of black gel icing can also create dramatic eyes or a spooky mouth. You can even pipe small dots of colored frosting around the edges for a border.
Giant Ghost Cookie Cake
Print
Rate
Ingredients
- 1 Recipe Cut-Out Sugar Cookie Dough (homemade or store-bought)
- 1 cup White Icing or Frosting (e.g., easy sugar cookie icing, royal icing, or canned vanilla)
- 3 Brown M&M’s
- 2 Orange M&M’s
- Sharp Knife
- Parchment Paper
- Printable Ghost Cutting Guide Template
Before you begin! If you make this, will you do me a huge favor and leave a review and rating letting me know how you liked this recipe? This helps my small business thrive so I can continue providing free recipes and high-quality content for you.
Instructions
-
Mix your favorite cut out sugar cookie dough. Roll the dough ⅜” thick on a piece of parchment paper. This is crucial for easy transfer! Ensure it’s rolled large enough to fit your ghost template.
-
Print and cut out the ghost shape from the printable template. Lay it on top of your rolled dough and use a sharp, thin, straight-edged knife to carefully trim around the edges, creating your ghost shape.
-
Once cut, carefully slide the parchment paper (with the cut ghost) onto a baking pan. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10-14 minutes, or until the center is baked through and the edges are *slightly browned*. Baking time may vary based on your recipe and dough thickness.
-
Allow the cookie to cool completely on the baking pan (you can place it in the fridge to speed this up). Once fully cooled, spread your white icing or frosting evenly on top. Use a knife or, for a cleaner look, a piping bag to outline and fill.
-
While the icing is still wet, place the 2 brown M&M’s for the eyes and the 2 orange M&M’s for the cheeks. Use a knife to carefully cut one more brown M&M in half for the mouth, placing one half, cut-side down, to form a smile.
-
Allow the frosting to set (if desired, or if using a setting icing like royal icing), then cut the giant ghost cookie cake into squares and serve! Enjoy this delightful Halloween treat.
Last Step! Please leave a review and rating letting me know how you liked this recipe! This helps my small business thrive so I can continue providing free recipes and high-quality content for you.
We hope you and your family have an absolutely spooktacular time baking and devouring this easy giant ghost cookie cake! It’s a wonderful way to create lasting Halloween memories and enjoy a homemade treat that’s both adorable and delicious. Happy baking!