Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together with an electric mixer until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale—about 3 minutes. The sound should be a gentle whir, and the color lighter.
Add in the vanilla extract and egg, beating until fully incorporated. The mixture will look smooth and slightly glossy.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt. This ensures even distribution of leavening.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed or folding gently, until the dough comes together and is soft but not sticky. It should hold shape when pressed.
Divide the dough into small balls about 1 inch in diameter. Place each ball onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them a few inches apart.
Gently flatten each dough ball with the back of a spoon or your fingers, creating a slight disk shape. This helps them bake evenly and makes decorating easier.
Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, until the edges are golden brown and the cookies feel firm but still soft in the center. The smell of baked sugar will fill your kitchen.
Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. They should be firm enough to handle for decorating.
Once cooled, use icing, piping bags, and candies to decorate the cookies with spooky faces and haunted house scenes. Use vibrant colors and creative shapes to bring your creepy designs to life.
Let the decorations set for a few minutes, then enjoy your homemade haunted house cookies—perfect for Halloween festivities or spooky fun!
