Spooky Ghost Brown Butter Pumpkin Cookies

A festive Halloween cookie that’s equal parts cute and delicious

Spooky Ghost Brown Butter Pumpkin Cookies bring soft, chewy texture and warm fall spices together in one adorable Halloween treat. Each cookie hides a rich brown butter and maple-pumpkin base, then gets topped with shiny white chocolate ghosts and candy eyes. They look impressive but are surprisingly easy, requiring no fancy tools. Even beginners can nail these festive cookies, making them perfect for parties, gifting, or a fun family bake night. The cookie base is adapted from a trusted chewy pumpkin recipe, so you can count on flavor, consistency, and a bit of spooky charm in every bite.

Why You’ll Love These Ghost Pumpkin Cookies

The flavor, the texture, and the fun factor

These Spooky Ghost Brown Butter Pumpkin Cookies pack cozy fall flavor from pumpkin, maple, and cinnamon, while brown butter adds a nutty depth. The texture stays soft and chewy, with just the right tender center. What makes them extra fun is the simple ghost design—white chocolate ghosts with candy melt eyes that kids love helping create. You don’t need to chill the dough, which keeps the recipe quick and weeknight-friendly. Between the taste and the playful look, these cookies guarantee smiles at any Halloween party.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Cookie base and spooky toppers

To make Spooky Ghost Brown Butter Pumpkin Cookies, start with one batch of Brown Butter and Maple Chewy Pumpkin Cookies. For decorations, grab white chocolate (Ghirardelli melting wafers recommended for shine), black candy melts, and a piping bag or ziplock. The white chocolate gives each cookie its ghostly shape, while the black melts add the eyes and mouth that bring these little spirits to life. Together, the simple ingredients create cookies that are festive, flavorful, and picture-worthy.

Tips for Perfect Pumpkin Cookies

Bake like a pro with these simple tricks

For the richest taste, always use pure maple syrup instead of imitation. To keep the centers chewy, avoid overbaking—the cookies should look just set when removed from the oven. A light-colored sheet pan helps prevent overly dark bottoms and ensures even baking. The best part is that the dough for Spooky Ghost Brown Butter Pumpkin Cookies doesn’t require chilling, saving you time while still delivering bakery-quality cookies. These tricks guarantee soft, flavorful results that pair perfectly with your Halloween decorations.

How to Make the Spooky Ghost Cookies

Step-by-step decorating instructions

Step 1 – Bake the pumpkin cookies and let them cool completely before decorating. Warm cookies will cause chocolate to slide.

Step 2 – Melt white chocolate until smooth, then spoon a small amount onto each cookie.
Step 3 – Using the back of your spoon, gently drag the chocolate downward to form a ghost shape. A light touch keeps crumbs from mixing in.
Step 4 – Let the chocolate set fully at room temperature.

Step 5 – Melt black candy melts, transfer to a piping bag or ziplock, and snip a tiny opening.

Step 6 – Pipe small dots for eyes and a mouth to bring your spooky ghosts to life.
Step 7 – Allow everything to harden completely before serving or packing.

Tip: Practice shaping ghosts on parchment paper first so you feel confident. Set decorated Spooky Ghost Brown Butter Pumpkin Cookies in a cool spot or fridge if you need them to firm up faster.

Decorating Notes & Troubleshooting

Avoid messy ghosts with these handy tips

If your ghosts look streaky, you may have pressed too firmly while spreading—use a gentler hand. Practicing shapes on parchment helps smooth out your technique. Always let cookies cool completely before adding chocolate, otherwise it may melt off. If your kitchen is warm, place the tray in a cooler room or fridge so decorations set quickly and neatly. These small tweaks make a big difference for sharp, clean designs.

Related Recipes to Try

• Mummy Brownies for a spooky Halloween treat
• Soft and Chewy Pumpkin Cookies Recipe
• Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting
• Frankenstein Halloween Rice Krispie Treats
• White Chocolate Halloween Oreo Bark
• Spooky Eyeball Fudge Brownies

Conclusion

Sweet, spooky, and seriously good

Spooky Ghost Brown Butter Pumpkin Cookies recipe is the kind of treat that disappears fast at Halloween parties. They’re soft, chewy, full of warm pumpkin spice, and dressed up in adorable ghostly outfits. They’re easy enough for beginners, fun enough for kids to join, and delicious enough to become a seasonal favorite. Try them this fall and share your own ghostly cookie creations—you might even inspire friends to bake their own hauntingly cute desserts. For more holiday inspiration, you can always check out ideas on Pinterest.

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