Ingredients
Scale
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon lime zest
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- Neon green gel food coloring
- 1 can (16 oz) vanilla frosting
- Green sanding sugar
- White and green edible pearls (various sizes)
- Candy eyeballs
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt until well combined, then set this dry mixture aside.
- In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together on medium-high speed. Continue mixing for about 2-3 minutes until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Add the egg, vanilla extract, lime zest, and lime juice to the butter mixture. Beat until fully incorporated. Add a few drops of neon green gel food coloring to the wet ingredients and mix until you reach your desired “witchy” green shade. Slowly add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients on low speed, mixing just until the dough forms.
- Scoop about 1.5 tablespoons of dough at a time and roll them into smooth balls. Place the balls on the prepared baking sheets, spaced about 2 inches apart. Slightly flatten each ball with the palm of your hand. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes. The edges should be set, but the tops should still look soft. Do not let them brown.
- Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up. Move them to a wire cooling rack to cool completely. It is very important that the cookies are totally cold before you start frosting, or the “brew” will melt right off the cauldron!
- Tint your vanilla frosting with the neon green food coloring. Spread a thick layer of frosting on each cookie, leaving a small border around the edge to mimic a cauldron rim. Immediately drop various sizes of edible pearls and candy eyeballs into the frosting to look like bubbles and spooky ingredients. Sprinkle with green sanding sugar for a magical shimmer.
- Cook Time: 30 minutes