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Gruesome 12 Zombie Brain Cookies That’ll Haunt Your Tastebuds Recipe

4.9 from 55 reviews

Create a spooky treat with these Gruesome 12 Zombie Brain Cookies that are perfect for Halloween or any horror-themed party. These soft and slightly chewy cookies are tinted red to resemble creepy zombie brains, making them a fun and festive dessert that will haunt your taste buds with flavor and fright!

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Additional

  • Red food coloring (enough to tint the dough red)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy clean-up.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to combine all the dry components evenly.
  3. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a separate large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light, creamy, and fluffy for a tender cookie texture.
  4. Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the large egg and vanilla extract to the creamed mixture, ensuring everything is well incorporated for flavor and binding.
  5. Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, mixing gently until a firm dough forms without overworking it to keep cookies soft.
  6. Tint Dough Red: Divide the dough into portions and add red food coloring to each, kneading the dough gently until the color is evenly distributed to resemble bloody brains.
  7. Shape Cookies: Roll small portions of the red dough into brain-shaped ropes or blobs and place them spaced evenly on the prepared baking sheets.
  8. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the cookies turn firm but not hard, then remove and allow them to cool completely on a wire rack before serving.

Notes

  • For extra spooky effect, use a toothpick to etch turkey vein-like details on the cookie surface before baking.
  • Ensure butter is softened but not melted for proper creaming with sugar.
  • You can adjust the amount of red food coloring based on how vibrant you want the cookies.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
  • These cookies freeze well; wrap tightly and freeze for up to a month.

Keywords: Zombie brain cookies, Halloween cookies, spooky cookies, red food coloring cookies, themed cookies, festive treats