61 Days ’Til Christmas: Easy Halloween Baking Ideas to Try This Weekend

This post is part of the #100DaysTilChristmasChallenge – one small step every day to make the holidays more joyful and less stressful.

There’s just something about baking in October that feels extra cozy.
The weather cools down, Halloween is around the corner, and suddenly even the busiest of weekends feels like the perfect time to preheat the oven and try a few Halloween baking ideas.

Today’s challenge is simple: bake a fun fall treat.
Not an all-day project or something fussy — just something festive, sweet, and full of Halloween spirit.

🍪 Bake Something Fun (Not Fancy)

Since Halloween is only about 6 days out, if you’re anything like me, your weekend might include pumpkin carving, a family movie night, or a little prep for school or community events.

So let’s make it easy — bake something just for fun.
Whether it’s cookies with your kids, cupcakes for a Trunk-or-Treat, or a treat to enjoy during your favorite Halloween movie, this is your permission to make a mess and enjoy it.

If you’re looking for ideas to go with your cozy weekend plans:

• Pair your baking day with our Family Halloween Movie Night Bingo 🎬
• Or turn it into dessert for Family Game Night Favorites 🎲

🍊 My Orange-Flavored Pumpkin Rollouts

These cookies are a longtime favorite in my kitchen — they’re cut out like pumpkins, but the orange flavor is what makes them truly special.
They’re soft, buttery, and lightly citrusy — perfect for Halloween decorating with kids or as a sweet treat for your Trunk-or-Treat table.

And the best part? No chilling required.
You can go straight from mixing to rolling and baking, which makes these a total win for last-minute bakers. They turn out soft every time and stay that way for days if stored in an airtight container.

Ingredients

Cookies:

• ⅔ cup shortening
• ¾ cup sugar
• ½ to 1 teaspoon grated orange peel
• 1 egg
• 4 teaspoons milk
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1½ teaspoons baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Frosting:

• ½ cup butter, softened
• 4 cups confectioners’ sugar
• ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon grated orange peel
• 2 to 4 tablespoons orange juice
• Green and orange food coloring

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, cream together shortening, sugar, and orange peel until light and fluffy.
2. Beat in egg, milk, and vanilla. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture.
3. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to ¼-inch thickness. Cut with pumpkin cookie cutters (about 2½ inches).
4. Place on greased baking sheets, 1 inch apart. Bake at 375°F for 6–8 minutes, or until lightly browned. Cool on wire racks.
5. For frosting, beat together butter, confectioners’ sugar, vanilla, orange peel, and enough orange juice to reach spreading consistency.
6. Tint ½ cup frosting green for stems and leaves; tint remaining frosting orange. Frost cooled cookies and enjoy!

💡 Cori’s Tips:

• No need to chill the dough — these cookies are ready to bake as soon as they’re mixed.
• Make them a day ahead if you’re bringing them to an event like your school’s Trunk-or-Treat. They stay soft and delicious, and the orange flavor deepens overnight.

🎂 Other Easy Halloween Baking Ideas

If you want to keep it even simpler, here are a few fun options that require minimal effort but maximum festivity:

1. Halloween Funfetti Bundt Cake

Mix a box of vanilla or yellow cake mix with Halloween sprinkles.
Bake in a bundt pan and drizzle with a simple orange glaze (powdered sugar, milk, and food coloring).
It’s quick, festive, and looks like you spent way more time than you did.

2. Monster Eyeball Cookies

Use store-bought sugar cookie dough, bake as directed, and top with candy eyeballs while they’re still warm.
Instant spooky charm. 👀

3. Halloween Snack Mix

Toss popcorn, candy corn, pretzels, and Halloween M&Ms with a drizzle of melted white chocolate.
It’s the easiest crowd-pleaser you’ll ever make — perfect for movie night.

🎃 Baking + Pumpkin Carving = The Perfect Fall Combo

If you haven’t carved your pumpkins yet, this is the weekend to do it.
You can bake your treats while the carving supplies are out — it’s a whole evening of cozy, fall family fun.

🕯 Pro tip: Keep dinner simple that night (pizza, chili, or a take-and-bake meal).
You’ll have enough dishes to wash from your baking adventure.

Once your pumpkins are glowing and your treats are cooling, pour some cider, pick a Halloween movie, and enjoy the moment.

✨ Wrap-Up: Make It Sweet, Make It Simple

This weekend is all about slowing down and enjoying the fun part of the season.
Whether you’re baking cookies, brownies, or a cake that comes from a box mix — the point isn’t perfection.

It’s about the laughter in the kitchen, the frosting-covered counters, and the memories you’ll look back on next year.

So pour some cider, turn up your Halloween playlist, and bake something that makes your home smell amazing. 🍂💛

💌 Have You Missed Any Free Halloween Printables?

Before Halloween week officially begins, make sure you’ve grabbed all your free printables for subscribers:
🕸 You’ve Been Booed Tags
🕷 Halloween Checklist
🍭 Please Take One or Two Candy Signs
🎃 Halloween Party Planner
👻 Family Movie Night Bingo

They’re all waiting for you inside the Holiday Hub — join below to download them before they disappear!

Sign up to get your free Halloween printables