Halloween is the perfect occasion to have fun in the kitchen with the whole family! Today we present a special version of the classic ox eye cookies: crumbly, fragrant, and decorated with a ‘monstrous’ touch that will captivate both young and old. These cookies, simple to prepare and irresistible to taste, will bring a sprinkle of magic (and sweetness!) to your table. Get your aprons and cookie cutters ready: the spookiest night of the year is about to become… delicious! 🍪✨
Here’s the royal icing recipe to create little pumpkins and eyes at home:
- Difficulty: Very easy
- Cost: Inexpensive
- Preparation time: 30 Minutes
- Portions: 6
- Cooking methods: Electric oven, Oven
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Halloween, Day of the Dead
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 whole egg
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 2 1/16 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 whole egg
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tsp baking powder
- vanilla aroma
- 10.5 oz nutella
- 10.5 oz apricot jam (or other groups)
Tools
- 1 Cookie cutter
- 1 Baking tray
Steps
1. Prepare the shortcrust pastry
In a bowl (or in a stand mixer) add the flour, cold butter cut into cubes, and a pinch of salt. Quickly work with your fingertips until you get a sandy mixture. Add the powdered sugar, yolks, and vanilla. Knead until you form a homogeneous dough. Wrap it in plastic wrap and let it rest in the fridge for 30 minutes.
2. Roll out and cut the cookies
After the resting time, roll out the pastry on a floured surface to a thickness of about 1/4 inch. Use a round cookie cutter (2.5-2.75 inches) to cut out discs: half will serve as a base, on the other half make a hole in the center (you can use a cap or a small cookie cutter).Do this for both batches of shortcrust pastry.
3. Bake the cookies
Place the discs on a baking tray lined with parchment paper and bake in a preheated static or fan oven at 320°F for about 12-15 minutes, until they are just golden. Let them cool completely.
4. Assemble the ‘ox eye’ cookies
Spread a teaspoon of strawberry jam (or nutella) on the whole disc, then place the holed one on top. Press gently to adhere.
5. Decorate for Halloween!
Add a chocolate chip or a smarties in the center to create the ‘pupil’. For an even more spooky effect, let some jam drip on the edges, like blood!Create legs with a piping bag filled with nutella or melted chocolate.
6. Serve and enjoy
Your Halloween ox eye cookies are ready! Simple, scenic treats perfect for a monstrous-themed snack or party. 🎃
You can store Halloween ox eye cookies in a tin box or airtight container for 4-5 days, in a cool, dry place. If you want to prepare them in advance, store the baked but unfrosted cookies: just add the jam when serving so they remain crumbly and fragrant!
Decorative Ideas
Serve the cookies on a black or orange tray and add some spun sugar webs or melted chocolate threads: success at the Halloween party is guaranteed! 🕸️🎃
