Why Make This Recipe
Hocus Pocus Cookies are a fun and colorful treat perfect for Halloween or any festive occasion. They not only look amazing but taste delicious too! Made with simple ingredients, these cookies can bring joy to kids and adults alike. Plus, the addition of candy eyes makes them uniquely spooky and fun for parties or gatherings.
How to Make Hocus Pocus Cookies
Ingredients:
- 1 stick (½ cup, 113g) unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 ¼ cup (150g) granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2 large eggs (at room temp)
- 1 ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon cornstarch
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 3 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- Wilton gel food coloring in purple (orange, and green)
- 2 cups sprinkles
- ¾ cup candy eyes
Directions:
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar on high until fluffy and smooth. Use a fork to break apart any chunks of butter or sugar and scrape down the sides of the bowl.
- Add the vanilla extract and sour cream, mixing on low speed. Next, add the eggs and mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Add the baking soda, cornstarch, salt, and just one cup of flour. Mix on low. Then, slowly add the rest of the flour one cup at a time until there are no streaks of flour in the dough.
- Divide the dough into three equal bowls and add a few drops of gel food coloring to each. Mix with a spatula or spoon, adding more coloring as needed for your desired shade. Remember that the colors will lighten during baking. Cover the bowls with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. The dough will be sticky, but chilling will make it easier to handle.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
- Scoop about half a tablespoon of each color of dough and roll them into balls (about 1 inch in diameter). Grab one ball of each color and carefully roll them into one larger ball.
- Place each ball about 4 inches apart on the baking sheet and lightly flatten them with your fingers. They will spread while baking, so ensure there’s enough space between them.
- Decorate each cookie with candy eyes and sprinkles. Then bake for 8-10 minutes, checking for doneness after 8 minutes. They should be a little soft when you take them out. Let them cool on the pan for 10 minutes before transferring them to a plate.
How to Serve Hocus Pocus Cookies
Serve Hocus Pocus Cookies on a festive platter at your Halloween party or during a movie night. They can be enjoyed as a fun treat for kids or adults. Pair them with a glass of milk or a warm beverage for an extra cozy feel.
How to Store Hocus Pocus Cookies
Store your Hocus Pocus Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them for up to three months. Just make sure to place parchment paper between layers if stacking them to prevent sticking.
Tips to Make Hocus Pocus Cookies
- Make sure your butter is softened for easy mixing.
- Don’t skip chilling the dough; it helps with handling and the final cookie texture.
- Experiment with different colors of gel food coloring for unique designs.
- Always check your cookies at the lower limit of the baking time to avoid overbaking.
Variation
Try adding different mix-ins like chocolate chips, nuts, or other types of candies to change up the flavor of your Hocus Pocus Cookies.
FAQs
1. Can I use something other than sour cream?
Yes, you can substitute sour cream with plain yogurt for a similar texture and flavor.
2. What happens if I don’t have gel food coloring?
Liquid food coloring can be used, but keep in mind it may alter the dough’s consistency and may require more to achieve the desired color.
3. Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough and chill it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days before baking. Just remember to cover it well to prevent drying out.
Hocus Pocus Cookies
Ingredients
Cookie Base
- 0.5 cup 1 stick (½ cup, 113g) unsalted butter (softened) Make sure the butter is softened for easy mixing.
- 1.25 cups 1 ¼ cup (150g) granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 0.5 cup ½ cup sour cream Can substitute with plain yogurt.
- 2 large 2 large eggs (at room temp)
- 1.5 teaspoons 1 ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 0.5 teaspoon ½ teaspoon cornstarch
- 0.25 teaspoon ¼ teaspoon salt
- 3.25 cups 3 ¼ cups all-purpose flour Add flour gradually to avoid lumps in the dough.
Decorations
- 3 colors Wilton gel food coloring in purple, orange, and green Experiment with different colors for unique designs.
- 2 cups 2 cups sprinkles
- 0.75 cup ¾ cup candy eyes Add as decoration before baking.
Instructions
Preparation
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar on high until fluffy and smooth.
- Add the vanilla extract and sour cream, mixing on low speed.
- Next, add the eggs and mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Add the baking soda, cornstarch, salt, and just one cup of flour. Mix on low.
- Gradually add the rest of the flour one cup at a time until there are no streaks of flour in the dough.
- Divide the dough into three equal bowls and add a few drops of gel food coloring to each. Mix until desired shade is achieved.
- Cover the bowls with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
Baking
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Scoop about half a tablespoon of each color of dough and roll them into balls (about 1 inch in diameter).
- Combine one ball of each color into a larger ball and place them 4 inches apart on the baking sheet.
- Lightly flatten each ball with your fingers.
- Decorate each cookie with candy eyes and sprinkles.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, checking for doneness after 8 minutes. They should be soft when removed from the oven.
- Let the cookies cool on the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a plate.
