Ingredients
Scale
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour: The foundation of our cookies, giving them that perfect structure. This is the backbone of the recipe, so don’t skip it!
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: Helps the cookies rise, making them fluffy and soft. It’s essential for achieving that delightful texture.
- ½ teaspoon baking powder: Adds extra lightness to the dough, making every bite airy and delightful.
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened: Provides richness and moisture for a tender cookie. Make sure it’s softened to room temperature for easy mixing!
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar: Sweetens the cookies and contributes to that chewy texture. This is where the magic happens!
- 1 large egg: Binds the ingredients and adds moisture, ensuring a rich flavor.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Infuses classic flavor into the cookies, making them even more delicious.
- ½ teaspoon almond extract: Adds a subtle nutty sweetness that pairs perfectly with vanilla. Trust me; it makes a difference!
- ½ teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the flavors, bringing everything together beautifully.
- White frosting (store-bought or homemade): For decorating the ghost faces. You can choose your favorite brand or make your own if you’re feeling adventurous!
- Chocolate chips or black icing: To create spooky eyes and smiles. This is where you can really have fun!
Instructions
- Preheat Your Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure even baking. This is a crucial step, so don’t forget it!
- Prepare Your Baking Sheets: Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. This will prevent sticking and make for easy cleanup—an essential for busy bakers!
- Mix the Dry Ingredients:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set this aside—this mixture is essential for the perfect cookie texture. Whisking well ensures even distribution of the leavening agents.
- Cream the Butter and Sugar:
- In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. This step is key for incorporating air into the mixture, leading to a delightful texture.
- Add the Egg and Extracts:
- Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract until fully combined, resulting in a smooth mixture. The combination of extracts really enhances the flavor profile!
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender. The dough should come together beautifully!
- Scoop the Dough:
- Using a cookie scoop or two tablespoons, drop rounded balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. They will spread a bit during baking, so give them room!
- Bake:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden but the centers still look soft. They’ll firm up as they cool, so don’t worry if they seem underbaked!
- Cool:
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This cooling step is vital to ensure they hold their shape for decorating.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Baking Time: 10 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24 cookies
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Fat: 7g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Protein: 1g