Not many things can pull off being both gorgeous and spooky at the same time. But these painted skull cookies? They nail it.

Ready to give them a shot? I’ll take you step-by-step through the entire process. These cookies might seem a bit intimidating, but it’s honestly easier than you might think.
The Charm of This Sugar Skull Cookie Recipe
I have a feeling you’ll enjoy making (and eating) them as much as I do. Here’s why:
- They’re just plain fun! They’re a bit spooky, a bit quirky, and a whole lot of delicious. I’ve found that they’re favorite cookies among adults, and kids absolutely adore them, too.
- One of the best things about these amazing sugar skull cookies is that they’re incredibly straightforward. You probably have most of the ingredients sitting in your pantry right now, and it all comes together so quickly.
- These cookies have a lovely sweetness that won’t make your teeth ache. They’re soft, and the flavor is not too sweet, not too bland, but just right.
- They’re surprisingly versatile! Whether you’re celebrating Halloween, the Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos), or just want to add a little bit of dark whimsy to your day, these creepy skull cookies are the answer. They’re also great for pirate-themed parties or even gothic-inspired gatherings.
How to Make Painted Skull Cookies
Here are the ingredients and kitchen tools you’ll need to whip up these spooky-sweet treats:
![]() | Skull cookie cutter |
![]() | ¾ oz Leaf Green Gel paste food coloring |
![]() | ¾ oz Deep Pink Gel paste food coloring |
![]() | ¾ oz Sky Blue Gel paste food coloring |
![]() | ¾ oz Yellow Gel paste food coloring |
![]() | Paintbrushes (go for a set of 5 – I like to have a few different sizes on hand) |
![]() | Black food coloring markers (Set of 2 for adding fine details) |
![]() | Piping gel tube (This will help us stick on the sugar flowers) |
![]() | White sugar flowers (These add a nice touch, but you could use other decorations too) |
Vodka or a clear extract (to thin out the gel food coloring) |
Step 1: Prep the Cookie Dough Ahead of Time
If you don’t have a recipe yet, I’ve shared mine on the blog.
Once your dough is mixed, it’s important to chill it in the fridge for at least a few hours or, even better, overnight. This chilling time allows the gluten to relax, which makes rolling out the dough much easier.
Step 2: Cut and Stamp Those Skulls
When you’re ready to start cutting out your cookies, lightly dust your work surface with flour.
Take about a third of the chilled cookie dough (I find it’s easier to work in batches to keep the dough cool) and roll it out to about ¼” thick. Give the top of the dough a light dusting of flour as well – this will prevent the cookie stamp from sticking.
Now, take your skull cookie cutter and press the cutter side into the dough to create the skull shape. Then, carefully flip the cutter over and use the stamp side to imprint a detailed skull design onto the entire cookie.
Gently lift the cutter, and you’ll have a perfectly stamped skull ready to bake! Place it on a parchment-lined baking sheet and repeat with the remaining dough.
Before popping them in the oven, chill the cookies on the baking sheet in the fridge for about 15 minutes. This helps them hold their shape better while baking.
Bake at 350 degrees for 12-14 minutes or until the edges are just starting to turn golden brown. Once they’re baked, let them cool completely before moving on to the decorating stage.
Step 3: Add a Splash of Color
Place a small dab of each gel food coloring onto a plate or in a small bowl. Add a few drops of vodka or clear extract to each color and stir it in. If you want an extra vibrant green, mix a little bit of the yellow gel into the green.
You can keep adding vodka a drop at a time until the consistency is similar to watercolors. I always recommend testing the colors on the back of a spare cookie before you start painting the actual skulls. Just to make sure you’re happy with the vibrancy.



Once you’re ready, start painting the raised areas of the cool cookies with different bright colors. You can check out photos or do a quick Google for design inspiration.


Once done, let them dry for about 30 minutes before moving on to the final details.
Step 4: Finishing Touches
Grab your black food coloring markers. These are perfect for adding outlines, details like eyes and teeth, or even fun patterns on your skulls. Get creative!
Once you’re happy with your marker work, it’s time to add the sugar flowers. To attach them, simply squeeze a little bit of piping gel onto the back of each flower and gently press it onto the cookie wherever you like.
Piping gel works better than water for this, in my opinion, because it dries clear and holds the flowers securely in place.
Give the cookies a few minutes for the piping gel to set. You now have a batch of tasty and cute skull cookies!




Some Recipe Notes
Making Ahead
One of the best things about these fabulous cookies is that you don’t have to do it all in one go. The dough is perfectly happy hanging out in your fridge for up to three days.
You can even bake the cookies ahead of time and stash them in the freezer for several weeks. They’ll be ready to decorate whenever you are!
Royal Icing as an Alternative to Painting
If you’re looking to challenge your own cookie artistry, royal icing is where it’s at. It’s more about piping than painting, so it might take a little practice to get the hang of it. But once you do, it opens up a whole new world of possibilities.
My go-to icing recipe is 5 cups of powdered sugar, 6 tablespoons of milk (sometimes I add a bit more to get the right consistency), ¼ cup of light corn syrup, and just a touch of vanilla extract (about ¼ teaspoon).
When your cookies are cool, whisk all the ingredients together, then grab a piping bag with a small round tip and fill it with about a quarter of the icing.
Use this to outline the edges of your sugar skull cookies. Then, pour about half of the remaining royal icing into another bowl and thin it out with a teaspoon of milk at a time until it’s nice and flowy.
Divide the rest of the white icing into separate bowls and add your favorite spooky colors. Fill separate piping bags with each color and get creative, piping faces onto the cookies.
Cookie Cutter Options
Who says you’re limited to skull shapes? There are so many other adorable patterns out there, like panda, bat, and cat face cookie cutters.
You could even go for larger cookies, top them with a luscious cream cheese frosting, and decorate them with fresh fruit. I’m a big fan of using grapes; their dark color looks fantastic against the frosting. But honestly, you can use almost any fresh, dried, or canned fruit you like.
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Now, go get your bake on, and good luck with your colorful skull cookies!