17+ Halloween Shortbread Recipes

Halloween is the perfect time to unleash your creativity in the kitchen with delightful treats that are as fun to look at as they are to eat. These shortbread recipes are sure to become the stars of your spooky spread, leaving everyone wanting more.

Ghostly Vanilla Shortbread

Spooky Shortbread Cookies (Lemon-Vanilla Shortbread)

Spooky Shortbread Cookies (Lemon-Vanilla Shortbread) from Shockingly Delicious

Total Time: 3 hr.

Ghostly Halloween Shortbread Cookies

Ghostly Halloween Shortbread Cookies from The Hungry Waitress

Total Time: 1 hr.

Spooky Easy Ghost Cookies

Spooky Easy Ghost Cookies from Frolic and Fare

Rating: 5. Total Time: 22 min.

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Imagine a classic shortbread with a haunting twist. This ghostly vanilla shortbread features the rich, buttery texture you love, with a hint of sweet vanilla. Ghost-shaped cookie cutters turn these treats into adorable little phantoms.

What makes this recipe special is its simplicity combined with festive flair. Using high-quality vanilla extract elevates the flavor, making each bite melt in your mouth. The fun part is decorating these ghostly cookies with icing to give them spooky faces that are perfect for Halloween.

Kids will love helping out in the kitchen, crafting their own ghostly designs. It’s a delightful way to spend an afternoon, and the result is a batch of cookies that are not only delicious but also a visual treat on any Halloween table.

Pumpkin Spice Shortbread

Spiced Pumpkin Shortbread Cookies

Spiced Pumpkin Shortbread Cookies from Half Baked Harvest

Rating: 3.8. Total Time: 1 hr 30 min.

High Altitude Pumpkin Spice Shortbread Cookies

High Altitude Pumpkin Spice Shortbread Cookies from Curly Girl Kitchen

Rating: 5. Total Time: 1 hr 42 min.

Pumpkin Shortbread Cookies

Pumpkin Shortbread Cookies from Baking Mischief

Rating: 4.9. Total Time: 25 min.

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If you’re a fan of pumpkin spice, this shortbread will be your new autumn favorite. Bursting with the warm flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, it’s a cozy treat that’s perfect for the Halloween season. Real pumpkin puree adds a subtle sweetness and a beautiful orange hue.

The magic of this recipe lies in its ability to encapsulate the essence of fall in every bite. The spices blend seamlessly with the buttery shortbread, creating a harmonious and comforting flavor profile. As these cookies bake, they fill your kitchen with the delightful aroma of pumpkin pie.

Not only do they taste amazing, but they also look festive with a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar on top. Serve them at your Halloween party, and watch them disappear faster than a ghost at midnight!

Chocolate Bat Shortbread

Recipe: Chocolate Truffle Shortbread Bars

Recipe: Chocolate Truffle Shortbread Bars from The Kitchn

Rating: 5.

Chocolate Shortbread Bars

Chocolate Shortbread Bars from Olga's Flavor Factory

Rating: 5. Total Time: 1 hr 10 min.

Raspberry and Chocolate Shortbread Bars

Raspberry and Chocolate Shortbread Bars from Hot Chocolate Hits

Rating: 5. Total Time: 1 hr 30 min.

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Chocolate lovers, rejoice! These chocolate bat shortbread cookies are here to satisfy your cravings. Rich cocoa powder transforms the classic shortbread into a chocolatey delight. Shaped like little bats, they’re both cute and delicious.

What sets this recipe apart is the depth of chocolate flavor achieved with a hint of espresso powder, intensifying the cocoa taste. The bat shapes are fun and fitting for Halloween, and you can use dark chocolate chips to make their eyes for an extra spooky touch.

These cookies are perfect for chocolate enthusiasts looking for a festive treat. They’re great with a glass of milk or a cup of hot cocoa, making them an ideal cozy snack on a chilly October night.

Witch’s Brew Lemon Shortbread

Lemon Cookie Cups w/ Lemon Pastry Cream

Lemon Cookie Cups w/ Lemon Pastry Cream from Slim Pickin’s Kitchen

Rating: 5. Total Time: 2 hr 25 min.

Witches Broom Cookies

Witches Broom Cookies from Belly Full

Rating: 5. Total Time: 1 hr 15 min.

Old Fashioned Lemon Squares Recipe

Old Fashioned Lemon Squares Recipe from A Table Full Of Joy

Rating: 4.4. Total Time: 55 min.

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For a zesty twist on traditional shortbread, try this witch’s brew lemon variety. Infused with fresh lemon zest and juice, these cookies are refreshingly tangy and delightfully buttery. Green food coloring adds a bewitching hue that makes them stand out.

The bright lemon flavor is what makes this recipe a standout. It’s a refreshing contrast to the usual rich and heavy sweets that dominate Halloween. Each bite is a burst of citrusy goodness that will leave your taste buds spellbound.

These cookies are not only a treat for the palate but also for the eyes. The vibrant green color and tangy taste make them a popular choice for those looking to add some variety to their Halloween dessert table.

Monster Mash Matcha Shortbread

Decorated Halloween Shortbread Cookies

Decorated Halloween Shortbread Cookies from Pastry Chef Online

Rating: 5. Total Time: 1 hr 10 min.

Halloween Shortbread Cookies

Halloween Shortbread Cookies from The Petite Cook

Rating: 5. Total Time: 25 min.

Halloween Shortbread Cookies

Halloween Shortbread Cookies from Dang That's Sweet

Rating: 4. Total Time: 2 hr 30 min.

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Matcha lovers, this one’s for you! These spooky monster mash matcha shortbread cookies bring a unique flavor to your Halloween festivities. The earthy taste of matcha pairs perfectly with the buttery cookie base, creating a sophisticated yet fun treat.

The striking green color from the matcha powder gives these cookies an eerie appearance, perfect for Halloween. Adding candy eyes transforms them into cute little monsters that are sure to be a hit with kids and adults alike.

Blood Orange Glazed Shortbread

Blood Orange, Almond and Rosemary Slice and Bake Shortbread Cookies

Blood Orange, Almond and Rosemary Slice and Bake Shortbread Cookies from The Floating Kitchen

Total Time: 1 hr 40 min.

Blood Orange Cornmeal Shortbread Cookies

Blood Orange Cornmeal Shortbread Cookies from The Floured Table

Rating: 5. Total Time: 1 hr 15 min.

Blood Orange Shortbread Cookies

Blood Orange Shortbread Cookies from Tara's Multicultural Table

Total Time: 1 hr 32 min.

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For a dramatic finish to your Halloween spread, try these blood orange glazed shortbread cookies. The rich, buttery base is topped with a vibrant blood orange glaze that adds a tangy sweetness and a pop of color.

The bold flavor of the blood orange is what makes these cookies unforgettable. The sweet yet tart glaze complements the buttery shortbread perfectly, offering a refreshing twist on the traditional recipe. The deep red color of the glaze gives these cookies a striking appearance, making them a standout on any dessert table.

These cookies are as delicious as they are beautiful, making them a must-try for anyone looking to impress their guests with something both spooky and sophisticated.

Pro Tricks for Amazing Halloween Shortbread

Decorated Halloween Shortbread Cookies

Decorated Halloween Shortbread Cookies from Pastry Chef Online

Rating: 5. Total Time: 1 hr 10 min.

Halloween Shortbread Cookies

Halloween Shortbread Cookies from The Petite Cook

Rating: 5. Total Time: 25 min.

Halloween Shortbread Cookies

Halloween Shortbread Cookies from Dang That's Sweet

Rating: 4. Total Time: 2 hr 30 min.

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Use High-Quality Butter

For the best texture and flavor, always opt for high-quality unsalted butter. The richness of the butter is key to making your shortbread cookies incredibly soft and melt-in-your-mouth delicious.

Chill the Dough

Chilling the dough before baking helps the cookies hold their shape and prevents them from spreading too much. This is especially important for intricate shapes like ghosts and bats.

Get Creative with Decorations

Let your imagination run wild when decorating your Halloween shortbread. Use edible markers, colored icing, or candy eyes to bring your spooky designs to life and make your treats truly unique.