Bat & Ghost Cookies - SUPERSIZED Halloween Treats

SUPERSIZED Bat and Ghost Cookies are the most popular treat at my place for Halloween celebrations.

The shortbread biscuit has a delightful zing of ginger.

It's one of the easiest shortbreads to make, and equally as delicious.

Everyone adores them.

They are the first thing made for Halloween treats for family and friends to enjoy .

Once the shortbread is prepared, you roll it out on a floured bench or on baking parchment paper.

Using the cut-out templates printed on heavy paper or card, place them on the dough and use a knife to create the cookie shapes.

(You'll find the bat and ghost template at the end of this blog post.)

Bake the cookies for 12 to 15 minutes until golden.

Leave them to cool.

Ice when cold.

I used a basic white icing glaze.

The eyes of the ghosts were currants.

On the bats, I used a yellow sanding sugar.

But you can use baking sprinkles in any colour you wish.

Put the sprinkles on the icing before it sets.

Bat & Ghost Cookies:

Supersized, super duper yummy and very cute too.

Bat & Ghost Cookies

Preheat the oven to 180 °C (356 °F)

Ingredients:

2 cups plain flour

4 Tablespoons cornflour (cornstarch)

2 teaspoons ground ginger

2/3 cup of powdered icing sugar

4 Tablespoons of golden Syrup

200 grams (7.05oz) of softened butter

To Make:

In a cake mixer, place all the ingredients.

Mix together until combined, and a dough is formed.

Roll out the dough to a thickness of about 1/2cm (3/8).

Using the template, cut out the ghost and bat shapes from the dough using a knife.

Place the shapes on baking parchment paper-lined trays.

Bake for about 12 to 15 minutes until golden.

When cold, ice the cookies.

Icing:

2 cups Powdered Icing sugar

3 Tablespoons Milk

1/2 teaspoon Vanilla essence

Currants for the ghost's eyes and mouth

Confectioners sanding sugar

In a bowl, mix all ingredients together, adding a little more milk if necessary.

Ice cookies, and leave to set for at least 2 hours.

You'll find a printable recipe HERE.

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Halloween Faux Flower Cloche

A faux flower cloche is such a simple adornment to create for your home.

The rich colours of the faux flowers are stunning.

If you choose colours similar to mine, it will carry this decor piece from Autumn (Fall) to Halloween, and then onto Thanksgiving.

To make a Halloween Faux Flower Cloche, you will need:

A selection of faux flowers, leaves, and berries.

A block of dried florist foam. (The size you need depends on the size of the cloche.)

Some mini velvet pumpkins and spiders.

Artificial autumn-toned maple leaves.

A clear glass cloche.

To Create:

Cut the florist foam to size.

Place leaves around the block of foam to disguise it.

In the middle place a spray of berries and flowers that will be the height of the cloche.

Continue placing the flowers into the foam, leaving a space for three mini velvet pumpkins.

When you're happy with your floral arrangement, push a wire (I used the offcut pieces from the flowers) into the base of the pumpkins and place them into the foam.

Carefully slide the cloche over the arrangement.

Use a skewer to correct the placement of the petals and leaves.

Arrange the maple leaves on the table where your arrangement will sit.

Place the cloche and floral arrangement on top of the leaves.

Notes:

To enhance the ambience, you can add battery-operated mini fairy lights around the display or inside the cloche. This will create a warm, inviting glow, perfect for setting the Halloween mood!

Select a coordinated colour palette that invokes the spirit of Halloween. Create a cohesive and harmonious look by considering dark, rich blacks, vibrant oranges and yellows, burgundy, or mysterious purples. Reflect these autumnal colours in your table settings, from the tablecloth and napkins to the dishes and utensils, ensuring that every element feels connected. This coordinated styling approach will help unify your table display and make it visually stunning.

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Let's DIY A Dried Flower Artwork!

Creating a dried flower arrangement on a canvas can add a touch of nature to your home decor. Using lines of string to hold the arrangement in place adds a rustic aesthetic.

It's quite simple to do, and this small piece of art took 30 minutes from the start of creating it to hanging it on the wall.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you craft your very own dried flower artwork.

Materials Needed

· Dried flowers (e.g., small stems of dried pods, lavender, Bunny tails, eucalyptus, baby’s breath, straw flowers, dried miniature roses, hydrangea)

· Patterned scrapbooking paper for background

· A Canvas - I used 15 x 20cm (5.9 x7.9")

· Twine

· Hot glue gun and PVA glue

· Pencil and scissors

· Paintbrush and acrylic paint in the desired colour

· Decorative Label (see the FREE ones at the end of this blog post) or a ribbon if not using a label.

Steps to Create Your Dried Flower Arrangement

1. Prepare Your Dried Flowers:

Trim your dried flowers to fit the height of your canvas. Do a quick mock-up of the arrangement.

2. Measure the Backing Paper:

Mark the measurement in pencil on the back side of the paper, using the canvas as a guide and cut to size.

3. Paint:

the outside edge and into the inside of the front of the canvas.

Use a hairdryer to quick dry it, or leave it to air dry.

4. Glue:

Using the PVA, glue and stick the backing paper to the front of the canvas.

5. Attach a string hanger:

Do this now, as it will be difficult to do after the dried flowers are placed. I used frame screw type hangers, but you could just staple the twine hanger in place.

6. Attach the twine:

You need four rows of twine.

For the first line of twine, attach it to the back left-hand side as shown.

Pull the twine reasonbly tightly across the front of the canvas and hot glue evenly at the back on the right side.

Do this three more times to create 4 rows of twine.

I spaced mine about 2cm (3/4") apart.

7. Attach the Flowers:

Start with one dried flower at a time. Some can slide straight under the twine rows, and other stems can be crossed in an over and under weave into position.

The aim is to place the dried flowers splayed to resemble a mini bouquet.

When you are happy with the design, trim any stems that are too long.

8. Add a label or a ribbon:

You can finish your art arrangement by hot gluing a label as I have done, or use a ribbon bow to cover where the stems are crossing and connecting.

Your dried flower arrangement on canvas is now complete! This beautiful piece can be used to decorate your home or as a thoughtful gift.

Remember, the beauty of this art lies in its imperfections and uniqueness, so let your creativity shine through.

I thought the 'Positive Thinking Label' that came on the paper I used was a fabulous final touch, so I have created some labels for you to use on your own dried flower artwork.

Copy, paste to your computer, size and print.

FREE LABELS