Day of the Dead Cookies Recipe

If you’re looking for a festive treat that’s as fun to make as it is to eat, you’re in the right place. I absolutely love this Day of the Dead Cookies Recipe because it combines rich chocolatey goodness with bright, colorful decorations — perfect for celebrating this beautiful tradition with family and friends. When I first tried this recipe, I was amazed at how the flavors and textures worked together, and trust me, your kitchen will smell just heavenly. Keep reading — I’ll walk you through every step to make sure your cookies turn out just right!

this …

Ingredients You’ll Need

The combination of classic baking staples with a twist of warm spices makes this Day of the Dead Cookies Recipe truly special. I always recommend using good quality unsweetened cocoa and fresh cinnamon to get that perfect flavor pop.

• All-purpose flour: You’ll want to minimize overworking the dough, so measuring properly helps keep these tender.
• Unsweetened cocoa powder: Opt for Dutch-processed if you prefer a milder chocolate flavor, but natural works great too.
• Ground cinnamon: Adds that classic warm spice—don’t skip it!
• Salt: Just a pinch to balance the sweetness and deepen flavor.
• Unsalted butter: Softened for easy creaming; this gives your cookies richness and tender crumb.
• Powdered sugar: Using powdered sugar instead of granulated helps keep these cookies smooth and soft.
• Egg: Binds everything together and adds moisture.
• Vanilla extract: A splash amps up the overall flavor.
• Milk: Used in the icing to smooth it out for perfect decorating consistency.
• Assorted candies and sprinkles: This is where you let your creative side shine! From Skittles to candy corn, pick your festive favorites.

Variations

One of the things I adore about this Day of the Dead Cookies Recipe is how easy it is to tweak for your taste or dietary needs. I like to switch up the decorations depending on the occasion — sometimes more traditional candies, other times rainbow sprinkles just to brighten things up.

• Gluten-Free Version: I’ve swapped regular flour for a gluten-free blend with success, just watch dough texture as you might need a little extra flour for rolling.
• Spice it Up: Adding a dash of chili powder to the dough gives it a subtle, delightful kick reminiscent of Mexican chocolate.
• Vegan Adaptation: Replace butter with coconut oil and egg with flax egg; the texture changes slightly but the flavor still shines through beautifully.

How to Make Day of the Dead Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Mix the Dry Ingredients

Start by whisking together your flour, cocoa powder, ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt in a medium bowl. This step ensures everything is evenly distributed for consistent flavor. I like using a fine-mesh sieve here—it really helps avoid clumps in your dough, which makes rolling much easier later on.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and powdered sugar together on medium speed until the mixture is pale and fluffy, usually about a minute. I always set a timer for this part because it’s easy to under- or overbeat, and you want that perfect creamy consistency. Then, beat in the egg and vanilla extract until just combined.

Step 3: Combine and Chill the Dough

Slowly stir the dry ingredients into the butter mixture until just combined — resist the urge to overmix here, as it can make your cookies tough. Shape the dough into a disc, wrap it well in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least an hour. This chilling step is a game-changer; it firms up the dough so it’s easier to roll and keeps cookies from spreading too much while baking.

Step 4: Roll and Cut Out Shapes

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Lightly flour your work surface and roll the chilled dough out to about 1/8-inch thickness. I’ve found that this thickness strikes a great balance — thin enough to be crisp but thick enough to hold the decorations. Use oval, egg, or skull-shaped cookie cutters to cut your dough into festive shapes. Space them about 2 inches apart on parchment-lined baking sheets. For best results, pop the baking sheet in the fridge for 15 minutes before baking to keep your shapes nice and sharp.

Step 5: Bake and Cool

Bake your cookies for 8 to 10 minutes until they’re crisp and set. They may seem slightly soft when you take them out, but they firm up as they cool. Transfer the cookies to a cooling rack to cool completely – this is important because decorating warm cookies can cause icing to melt and run.

Step 6: Decorate Your Cookies

For the icing, mix powdered sugar and milk until smooth. I like to transfer it to a plastic bag and snip off a tiny corner—this makes piping so much easier. Outline the edges of each cookie first, leaving a small border, then fill in the center with more icing, gently spreading with a toothpick if needed. Now comes the fun part: decorate with your favorite candies like Skittles, candy corn, cinnamon hearts, or whatever you’ve got on hand. Your inner artist will thank you!

How to Serve Day of the Dead Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

I love to use a mix of brightly colored candies and sprinkles, especially ones with Mexican flair like cinnamon hearts or candy-coated sunflower seeds. They not only look beautiful but add fun little bursts of flavor. A little edible glitter or shimmer dust can make your cookies really shine if you’re feeling fancy!

Side Dishes

Pair these cookies with a warm cup of Mexican hot chocolate or sweet spiced tea for the perfect cozy celebration. They also go wonderfully alongside a platter of fresh fruit or a light cheese board to balance the sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

Try arranging your decorated cookies on a vibrant Day of the Dead themed plate or platter, garnished with marigold flowers for an authentic touch. For parties, setting up a decorate-your-own cookie station is a total hit — everyone gets to join the fun and personalize their treats.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature — they stay fresh for up to a week. If your decorations are particularly delicate, I recommend letting the icing dry completely before stacking them to avoid smudging.

Freezing

These cookies freeze beautifully! I like to freeze them unbaked — just shape and cut the dough, arrange on a tray, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. When you’re ready, bake straight from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time.

Reheating

For leftovers, I prefer to warm cookies in a low oven (around 300°F) for 3-5 minutes to bring back that fresh-baked texture — just be careful not to melt the icing! Microwave reheating tends to soften decorations too much, so I usually avoid it.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Day of the Dead Cookies Recipe has become a fall favorite in my kitchen — not just for the delicious chocolate-cinnamon flavor, but for how it brings everyone together for a little creative fun. Whether you’re decorating with kids or hosting a lively party, these cookies add a joyful, colorful touch to any celebration. I hope you enjoy making and sharing them as much as I do. Give it a try—you’ll be amazed how festive and tasty homemade cookies can be!

Print