Spooky Halloween Cookies | Decorating

As most of North America has started to experience the beautiful foliage changes of the transitioning Autumn season, folks like myself living in Florida are finding out it's officially fall only by way of the date on the calendar. As a born and raised Florida girl, I've never personally experienced the full transition of the seasons as part of my daily life experience, but perhaps that's also why it's a 'nice' to have, not a need to have (like I've heard from some snowbirds).

Yes, the vivid reds and yellows of the changing leaves are beautiful. Yes, I'm sure it's nice to open your windows in September to discover a new crispiness in the air. September might as well be June, because the temperature and humidity is the standard. All of that being said, today on this beautiful late November day in Clearwater I was pleasantly surprised by the sudden chill in the air - a little cold front, likely brought to us courtesy of this past weekend's rainy days.

Regardless of the temperatures outside, the season of giving and holiday cheer has officially arrived. And it's time for all things peppermint mocha, as far as I'm concerned (note to self - look up recipes for peppermind white mocha cookies or cupcakes later?)

Here are some ideas and shapes to inspire you for your Halloween sweets. 

For decorating these cut out sugar cookies, I like to use my trusted royal icing recipe. You can create super intricate and impressive designs in the royal icing before it sets, and once the icing hardens, the cookies can be stacked (and shipped) without ruining the icing designs.