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There’s only so much candy one can really eat around Halloween—as for cookies, those are a treat that is always received with cheer and piques the interest of anyone who feels welcome. The smell of autumnal spices filling up the kitchen as one bakes a fresh batch using Usha’s OTG, is an unmatched feeling and a great way to celebrate the best of the season. While snacks are equally important, given the sheer variety of cookies that can be explored during this time, it always pays off to go beyond the usual sugar cookie or snickerdoodles to create one that’s out-of-the-box but also familiar in taste, while being decadent. From exploring seasonal combinations to having a few that really adhere to the mood of the occasion, getting creative with baking these sweet treats is more than just a chore; it is a fun activity and experience.
Witch Finger Cookies
Image Credits: Pexels
What’s a memorable Halloween party without a bit of fun! And these witch finger cookies are fun personified. Essentially a shortbread cookie dough which is hand-rolled into wonky, elongated shapes—the ‘fingers’ can be decorated with a single almond flake to resemble the witch’s nails on one end. Get imaginative and use edible food colouring in the dough before baking it and paint the ‘nails’ a deep red colour using cranberry juice or strawberry jam. Add chopped nuts to the dough to give the fingers a naturally uneven appearance as well as a crunchy texture to the cookies, when being bitten into.
Pumpkin-Chocolate Cookies
Since autumn is synonymous with all things pumpkin, using pumpkin puree while making cookie dough and adding a whiff of pumpkin spice blend for aroma and flavour upgrades regular chocolate chip cookies into gooey delights. Crisp at the edges, these have a pillowy centre—which, when warm—give the feeling of being undercooked in the best way possible. Pair it with a cup of coffee or a glass of milk, or simply enjoy it as a snack or post-meal dessert to feel warm and fuzzy as you share it with friends.
Maple ‘Leaf’ Glaze Cookies
Image Credits: Pexels
Cut-out cookies do not always have to be for children—and these beautiful cookies are testament to that. Shaped like a maple leaf and glazed with a maple syrup-flavoured icing, enhance the flavour of your cookie dough before baking it in the oven with a touch of cinnamon. Use chopped walnuts to adorn the glaze once it has been applied, as well as to bring a welcome nuttiness that makes the treats feel seasonal and addictive.
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Potato Chip Cookies
Ever imagined one of the most popular snacks to be paired with a cookie? Contrary to what one might be led to believe, the saltiness of potato chips, along with their crunch make for a delicious addition to chocolate chip or regular sugar cookies. Not only can a bag of crushed chips be folded into the dough, one could also top-up each cookie with more chips to give them craggly edges that are a hedonistic experience. Why choose between a savoury or sweet treat when you can have both in the same bite!
Apple Cider Cookies
Image Credits: Betty Crocker
Although unusual sounding, one would be pushed to wonder how the sharp tang of apple cider would complement sweet cookies. However, using the star ingredient as a reduction in combination with brown sugar, nutmeg and cinnamon makes these cookies light, crisp and almost sinful to enjoy with a cup of tea or coffee. Here’s a hot tip to get a larger batch of these baked goodies from a regular portion of cookie dough—use a tablespoon to scoop out individual cookie portions before placing them on the tray that goes into the oven.
Jack ‘O’ Lantern Sandwich Cookies
While sandwich cookies might be an underrated variation of the baked preparation, these pumpkin spice sugar cookies with a cream cheese filling are a sureshot hit at any gathering. While keeping in line with the theme and flavour of autumn treats, the process of making them simply involves using a Jack ‘o’ lantern cookie cutter over a sheet of rolled out cookie dough. Take the flavours a step further by dusting each of the baked cookies with cinnamon sugar when still warm.
