Preheat the oven to the temperature listed on the cookie dough package. No pressure, but the oven’s mood affects the entire vibe of the snack horizon.

Line your baking sheet with parchment or spray with nonstick. Cleanup, darling, will thank you later.

Slice or break the dough as directed. If you want to go full chaos, shape the dough into little pumpkins, ghosts, or friendly monsters—imagination is allowed here.

Place dough mounds on the sheet, leaving space for spreading. It’s a small victory to avoid cookie pileups

Bake until edges turn golden and centers look set. Baking times vary—spot-check with a toothpick; if it comes out clean, you’re gold.

Cool briefly, then decorate with your icing and candies. This is where the party starts. Don’t rush—let the cookies chill the glitter in their eyes first.

Display on a platter, or stash in a spooky box. Bonus points if you label them “Spellbound Shortbread” or “Bat Bites.”