Gingerbread Skeletons
Unleash your inner artist with these delightfully spooky Gingerbread Skeletons, the ultimate Halloween treat that's as fun to make as it is to eat! With a rich blend of molasses, ground ginger, cinnamon, and cloves, these cookies are bursting with warm, spiced flavors that evoke the coziest autumn vibes. A simple and versatile royal icing transforms classic gingerbread men into hauntingly adorable skeletons, making them perfect for Halloween parties, themed gatherings, or edible gifts. Ready in just 40 minutes of active time and yielding 12 festive cookies, this recipe combines creative decorating with classic holiday baking. Serve them alongside a cup of hot cocoa, or package them for a ghoulishly good surprise.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 0.25 cups granulated sugar
- 0.25 cups molasses
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1.25 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 0.5 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 0.25 teaspoons ground cloves
- 0.5 teaspoons baking soda
- 0.25 teaspoons salt
- 1 batch royal icing mix or premade royal icing
Instructions
In a saucepan over medium heat, combine butter, sugar, molasses, and water. Stir until the butter is fully melted and the mixture is smooth. Allow it to cool to room temperature.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, baking soda, and salt.
Gradually add the cooled molasses mixture to the dry ingredients, stirring until a dough forms. Knead lightly to bring it together, then wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Roll the chilled dough out on a floured surface to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use gingerbread man cutters to cut out shapes and transfer them to the prepared baking sheets.
Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to darken. Allow the cookies to cool fully on a wire rack.
Prepare the royal icing according to the package instructions if using a mix, or use premade icing. Transfer the icing into a piping bag with a fine tip.
Once the cookies are cool, use the piping bag to decorate the gingerbread men with skeleton designs. Draw ribs, spines, skull details, and any additional spooky touches.
Let the icing set completely before serving or storing in an airtight container.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2245 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 37.7 g | 48% | |
| Saturated Fat | 21.3 g | 106% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 93 mg | 31% | |
| Sodium | 1284 mg | 56% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 462.0 g | 168% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 5.1 g | 18% | |
| Total Sugars | 326.2 g | ||
| Protein | 20.8 g | 42% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 217 mg | 17% | |
| Iron | 11.2 mg | 62% | |
| Potassium | 1380 mg | 29% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
