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These sugar skull ginger spice cookies recipe are a delicious twist on the traditional sugar skulls for Día de los Muertos, combining the warm flavors of ginger, cinnamon, and cloves. Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a Mexican holiday that celebrates and honors the memories of loved ones who have passed. Sugar skulls, or calaveras, are one of the most iconic symbols of this celebration, representing the idea that death is a continuation of life. These cookies capture that spirit, offering a sweet way to bring the symbolism of Día de los Muertos to life.
One of the things I love most about these cookies is how easy they are to make. Because they are stamped, you don’t need to spend extra time decorating them with icing. The beautiful sugar skull design is imprinted into the dough, so these cookies are ready to bake in no time. They are perfect for when you’re in a hurry but still want something visually striking and fun to make. My kids and I love making these together every year for Día de los Muertos, and it’s a great way to open up conversations about the meaning behind the holiday. This activity is also perfect for classrooms and parties—no icing mess and no waiting for decorations to dry!
My husband loves the spicy-sweet flavor of these cookies, and they’ve become a family favorite for both Halloween and Day of the Dead gatherings. I always go to these cookies for get-togethers because they are not only delicious but so simple and quick to make.
What Do Ginger Spice Cookies Taste Like?
Ginger spice cookies bring a rich, warm flavor profile that pairs perfectly with fall and winter festivities. The ginger provides a bit of a zing, while the cinnamon and cloves add a comforting, spicy warmth. These cookies are not overly sweet, allowing the spices to shine. They’re slightly crispy on the edges and soft in the center, making them a perfect pairing for a cup of Mexican hot chocolate or coffee during your Day of the Dead celebration.
How to Make Cookies with a Stamp
Stamped cookies are a fun and easy way to create intricate designs on cookies without the need for icing. By using cookie stamps, you can press patterns directly into the dough, resulting in a beautiful final product. Here’s how you can make cookies with a stamp and some key tips to prevent issues like the dough sticking or uneven impressions.
1. Prepare Your Dough
Start with a dough that is ideal for stamping, such as a sugar or shortbread dough. These doughs hold their shape well during baking and work best for stamping. You can chill the dough slightly before stamping to make it more manageable, but ensure it’s not too hard, as it will crack when pressed.
Tip: Avoid doughs that spread too much during baking, as they can blur the stamped design.
2. Roll Out the Dough Evenly
Using a rolling pin, roll out your dough to an even thickness, typically about 1/4 inch thick. Make sure the surface is even to avoid uneven stamping impressions.
Tip: Use rolling pin rings or guides to ensure your dough is the same thickness throughout.
3. Flour the Stamp to Prevent Sticking
Before pressing your stamp into the dough, lightly dust it with flour. This helps prevent the dough from sticking to the stamp and ensures a clean impression. Shake off any excess flour before using the stamp.
Tip: If your dough is extra sticky, try dipping the stamp in powdered sugar instead of flour for an added non-stick effect without altering the flavor.
4. Press the Stamp Firmly and Evenly
Hold your cookie stamp directly over the dough and press it down firmly, ensuring you apply even pressure across the stamp. This will create a uniform design. Lift the stamp carefully to reveal the pattern.
Tip: Avoid pressing too hard, as this can cause the dough to spread out or the edges to crack. Press just enough to imprint the design without deforming the cookie.
5. Cut Out the Cookies
Once you’ve stamped the design into the dough, use a cookie cutter or a knife to cut out the cookies. Be sure the cutter is slightly larger than the stamp to avoid cutting off any part of the design.
Tip: If you’re using a stamp that comes with a built-in cutter, this step will be done in one motion.
6. Chill the Cookies Before Baking
After cutting out the cookies, place them on a baking sheet and chill them in the fridge for about 10–15 minutes. This step helps the cookies retain their shape during baking and ensures that the stamped design doesn’t blur or spread.
Tip: Chilling the dough prevents excess spreading, keeping your stamped designs crisp.
Sugar Skull Ginger Spice Cookies Recipe for Day of the Dead
These simple yet delicious sugar skull ginger spice cookies are perfect for Day of the Dead. Using a skull cookie cutter stamp, these cookies are easy to make and don’t require any decoration—just stamp, bake, and enjoy! The warm spices are ideal for fall celebrations, and their design adds a fun, festive touch for Día de los Muertos.
Ingredients:
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Equipment
Instructions:
- Preheat Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. - Mix Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Set aside. - Cream Butter and Sugars
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. - Add Wet Ingredients
Beat in the egg, molasses, and vanilla extract until well combined. - Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until a soft dough forms. - Roll and Stamp
On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use a skull cookie cutter stamp to cut out shapes. Gently press the stamp to create the skull design on each cookie.
- Bake
Place the stamped cookies on the prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. - Cool
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
How to Store Your Sugar Skull Ginger Spice Cookies
Once cooled, you can store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. They’ll maintain their freshness and texture best when kept away from humidity or direct sunlight. You can place a piece of bread in the container to help keep the cookies soft and chewy, as the bread will absorb any excess moisture.
Can these Day of the Dead Ginger Spice Cookies Be Frozen?
Yes, ginger spice skull cookies can be frozen both before and after baking.
- To freeze the dough: After stamping the dough with your skull cookie cutter, place the cut-out cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer the cookies to a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, simply bake them from frozen, adding 1-2 minutes to the baking time.
- To freeze baked cookies: Once the cookies have fully cooled, place them in an airtight container and freeze for up to 2 months. To serve, let them thaw at room temperature for about an hour.
Sugar Skull Ginger Spice Cookies for Day of the Dead
Ingredients
- Ingredients:
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Beat in the egg, molasses, and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until a soft dough forms.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use a skull cookie cutter stamp to cut out shapes. Gently press the stamp to create the skull design on each cookie.
- Place the stamped cookies on the prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
Equipment > Sugar Skull Cookie Stamps
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 24 Serving Size: 1 cookieAmount Per Serving: Calories: 120Total Fat: 4.5gSaturated Fat: 2.5gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 100mgCarbohydrates: 19gSugar: 10gProtein: 1.5g
These Ginger Spice Skull Cookies are a perfect addition to your Day of the Dead celebration. They combine tradition and taste in an easy, beautiful treat that everyone will enjoy. Whether you’re honoring loved ones or simply enjoying the fall season, these cookies will surely bring warmth to your gathering.
Other Day of the Dead Recipes and Activities
Make and Decorate Day of the Dead Crafts
Creating crafts is a wonderful way for kids to celebrate Día de los Muertos while learning about the holiday’s traditions. These hands-on activities are perfect for bringing the spirit of the Day of the Dead into your home.
Start by making this Sugar Skull Quilling Project, a fun and colorful craft that uses paper quilling to create unique sugar skull decorations. If your kids love animals, try the Day of the Dead Inspired Animal Sugar Skull Lollipops for a sweet and creative project. For something different, making this Catrina Craft is a great way to celebrate the famous Catrina figure. Check out my favorite Day of the Dead crafts for kids here for more ideas.
Cook and Bake Day of the Dead Treats
Día de los Muertos is filled with delicious Day of the Dead desserts, and cooking together as a family is a great way to bond. Check out more Day of the Dead cookie recipes here or try some of these easy and tasty Day of the rrecipes for kids to make your celebration even sweeter.
Bake the traditional Pan de Muerto with your kids and teach them about the significance of this special bread. For something a bit more fun, Day of the Dead Skeleton Cookies are a playful way to enjoy the holiday. If you want to try something new, the Cempasúchil Cream-Filled Pan de Muerto is a unique twist on the classic.
Create Your Own Day of the Dead Decorations
Decorating for Día de los Muertos is a fun way to involve kids in the celebration. These easy crafts will brighten your home and help your family connect with the traditions of the holiday.
Make Day of the Dead sugar skull wind chime to hang up as festive decorations. The create your own sugar skull paper garland craft is perfect for kids, allowing them to cut out and decorate their own garlands. For something extra colorful, try the sugar skull ots and flowers craft to add a pop of color to your space.
Throw a Day of the Dead Themed Party
Hosting a Day of the Dead party is a fun and festive way to celebrate with family and friends. From decorations to desserts, these ideas will make your party a hit!
Start with these Dia de los Muertos free party printables to set the scene, and let the kids create their own Day of the Dead masks as a fun party activity. For a delicious dessert, try baking Pumpkin Spice Cheesecake sugar skulls, and finish with a festive Day of the Dead cake with buttercream frosting.
Enjoy Traditional Day of the Dead Food
Celebrate Día de los Muertos with some delicious Day of the Dead food ideas that include lots of Dia de los Muertos Mexican recipes to connect with tradition. You can also try the marigold flan recipe, which uses marigolds in a traditional and flavorful way. These recipes honor the holiday while adding fun and flavor to your celebrations.
For something a little different learn about Guatemalan Day of the Dead traditions by making Fiambre, a traditional Guatemalan dish served during Día de los Muertos. For something sweet, enjoy Guatemalan Molletes, a dessert that’s perfect for the occasion.
Paula studied architecture and now makes a living as a freelance writer,traveler and amateur photographer.She started her writing & publishing career as the editor of Bebé y Mamá, the first parenting magazine in Guatemala.She is the founder of www.GrowingUpBilingual.com and www.365thingsswfl.com and writes articles in Spanish and English for both magazines and the web on travel,food and bicultural and bilingual parenting .
When she is not on a plane or road trip she likes to create recipes inspired in the flavors of her native Guatemala.
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