Ghost Milano Cookies
Ghost Milano Cookies
These Ghost Milano Cookies might be one of the easiest Halloween treats you can make! Classic Milano cookies are dipped halfway in melted white chocolate and decorated with two little eyes and a ghostly mouth using melted milk chocolate and a toothpick.
That’s it!
With just three ingredients, you can turn store-bought cookies into the cutest little Halloween ghosts in minutes. There’s no baking, no complicated decorating, and you don’t need any special piping bags or decorating tips.
I especially love how the oval shape of a Milano cookie naturally looks like a little ghost once it’s covered in white chocolate. Give each cookie a slightly different expression, and you’ll have an entire tray of adorable—and maybe slightly spooky—ghosts.
These easy Halloween ghost cookies are perfect for Halloween parties, dessert boards, school celebrations, movie nights, or whenever you need a quick Halloween treat.
Why You’ll Love These Ghost Milano Cookies
Sometimes the simplest Halloween desserts end up being the cutest.
You only need three ingredients, and the cookies are already baked. All you’re really doing is dipping and decorating.
They’re also a great last-minute Halloween treat because you don’t have to wait for cookie dough to chill or spend hours decorating sugar cookies.
And every little ghost can have its own personality.
Make some surprised, some spooky, and some silly by changing the shape and placement of the chocolate eyes and mouths.
Ingredients
- 1 package Milano cookies
- 8 ounces white chocolate melting wafers or white chocolate
- 2 ounces milk chocolate, melted
That’s all you need!
How to Make Ghost Milano Cookies
Step 1: Prepare the Cookies
Line a large baking sheet or tray with parchment paper.
Remove the Milano cookies from the package and arrange them near your work area.
Make sure the cookies aren’t broken or cracked before dipping.
Step 2: Melt the White Chocolate
Place the white chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl.
Microwave in approximately 20-second intervals, stirring well after each interval, until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth.
Be careful not to overheat the chocolate.
If you’re using white chocolate melting wafers, follow the melting directions on the package.
Step 3: Dip the Milano Cookies
Hold one Milano cookie by the bottom and dip the top half of the cookie into the melted white chocolate.
Gently lift it out and allow the excess chocolate to drip back into the bowl.
You don’t need the edge of the chocolate to be perfectly straight. In fact, a slightly uneven edge makes the little ghosts look even cuter.
Place the dipped cookie onto the parchment-lined baking sheet.
Repeat with the remaining Milano cookies.
Step 4: Let the White Chocolate Set
Allow the white chocolate to set until firm.
You can leave the cookies at room temperature, or place the tray in the refrigerator briefly to speed things up.
Make sure the white chocolate has hardened before adding the faces so the milk chocolate doesn’t blend into it.
How to Make the Ghost Faces
Melt the milk chocolate in a small microwave-safe bowl.
You only need a small amount because you’re using it to create the ghost faces.
Dip the very tip of a toothpick into the melted milk chocolate.
Carefully dot two eyes onto the white chocolate portion of each Milano cookie.
Then use the toothpick to add a slightly larger dot or small oval underneath the eyes for the ghost’s mouth.
I like making the mouth a little longer than the eyes because it gives the cookie that classic surprised ghost expression.
Continue until every cookie has a face.
Allow the milk chocolate to completely set before serving or storing the cookies.
The Cutest Halloween Ghost Cookies
One reason Milano cookies work so well for this recipe is their shape.
Once the rounded top is dipped in white chocolate, you already have the shape of a ghost’s head. You don’t need cookie cutters or special molds.
And because you’re drawing the faces by hand with a toothpick, no two ghosts will look exactly alike.
Some can have tiny round eyes.
Some can have bigger eyes.
You can make little round mouths, long surprised mouths, or even slightly crooked expressions.
I actually think they’re cuter when they’re all a little different.
What Kind of Milano Cookies Should I Use?
Classic chocolate Milano cookies are perfect for this recipe, but you can have fun trying different flavors.
Depending on what’s available, you could try:
- Milk Chocolate Milano Cookies
- Dark Chocolate Milano Cookies
- Double Dark Chocolate Milano Cookies
- Mint Chocolate Milano Cookies
The chocolate filling is especially delicious with the white chocolate coating.
What Kind of White Chocolate Works Best?
White chocolate melting wafers are probably the easiest option because they’re designed for dipping and usually set nicely.
You can also use white chocolate baking bars.
White chocolate chips can work, but some brands don’t melt as smoothly as melting wafers or baking chocolate.
Whatever you choose, melt it slowly. White chocolate can seize or scorch if it gets too hot.
Why Use a Toothpick for the Faces?
You could certainly use a piping bag, but I actually love using a toothpick for these cookies.
The ghost faces are so small that a toothpick gives you plenty of control.
Just dip the tip into melted milk chocolate and gently touch it to the hardened white chocolate.
You don’t need perfect circles.
A slightly imperfect little chocolate dot makes the ghosts even more charming.
And there’s no piping bag to clean afterward!
Make Sure the White Chocolate Is Set First
Give the white chocolate enough time to harden before adding the milk chocolate faces.
If the coating is still very soft, the milk chocolate can sink into it or smear.
Once the white chocolate is firm, you’ll have a nice smooth surface for creating your eyes and mouths.
Easy Halloween Treat for Kids
These are such a fun Halloween treat to make with kids because most of the recipe is decorating.
Adults can handle melting the chocolate, and kids can help dip the cookies or create the ghost faces.
And since every ghost is supposed to look a little different, there’s no pressure to make them perfect.
Set out a tray of Milano cookies, melted chocolate, and toothpicks and let everyone create their own little ghost.
Halloween Party Dessert
If you’re putting together a Halloween party, these cookies are perfect because they’re easy to pick up and eat.
Arrange them on a black or white platter and scatter a few Halloween sprinkles around the tray.
You could also add them to a larger Halloween dessert board with brownies, chocolate-covered pretzels, popcorn, candy corn, marshmallows, and other spooky treats.
A whole tray of little white ghost cookies would look so cute against darker Halloween desserts.
Halloween Movie Night Treat
These would also be perfect for a cozy Halloween movie night.
Make a batch of ghost Milano cookies and serve them with popcorn, Halloween candy, and mugs of hot chocolate.
They’re easy enough to make at the last minute but still feel like you made something special for the occasion.
Can I Make Ghost Milano Cookies Ahead of Time?
Yes!
Because you’re starting with store-bought cookies, this is a great Halloween dessert to prepare ahead.
Once the chocolate has completely hardened, store the cookies in an airtight container.
If you’re stacking them, place parchment or wax paper between the layers to protect the chocolate decorations.
For the best texture, keep them in a cool, dry place and avoid heat or humidity that could soften the chocolate.
How to Store Ghost Milano Cookies
Store your finished ghost cookies in an airtight container.
Keep them somewhere cool so the chocolate stays firm.
If your kitchen is especially warm, you can refrigerate them, but condensation can sometimes form on chocolate when refrigerated cookies return to room temperature.
I prefer keeping them in a cool room whenever possible.
Can I Use Candy Eyes?
You can, but you definitely don’t need them for this recipe.
Part of what makes these Ghost Milano Cookies so simple is that the entire face is made with melted milk chocolate.
Using a toothpick to create the eyes and mouth also gives the ghosts a sweet homemade appearance that I really like.
Plus, that’s one less ingredient you have to buy.
Ghost Milano Cookie Variations
Once you see how easy these are, you can make all kinds of variations.
Spooky Ghosts: Make longer oval mouths for a more dramatic ghost face.
Cute Ghosts: Give them tiny dot eyes and a small round mouth.
Silly Ghosts: Make the eyes different sizes or give the ghosts crooked expressions.
Dark Chocolate Ghosts: Use dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate for the faces.
Sprinkle Ghosts: Add a few Halloween sprinkles to the white chocolate before it sets.
You could even make an entire tray with different ghost expressions.
Tips for the Best Ghost Milano Cookies
Don’t overheat the chocolate. Melt both chocolates slowly in short intervals.
Dip only halfway. Leaving the bottom portion of the Milano cookie uncovered creates a pretty contrast and makes the cookies easier to hold.
Let excess chocolate drip off. This prevents a huge puddle of white chocolate from forming around the cookie.
Use parchment paper. The chocolate-covered cookies will release much more easily once they’re set.
Let the white chocolate harden. Don’t add the face while the coating is still wet.
Use just the tip of the toothpick. You only need a tiny amount of milk chocolate for each eye.
Don’t make them too perfect. Different expressions make a whole tray of ghosts look even cuter.
Jennie’s Thoughts
These are exactly the kind of Halloween desserts I love because they’re ridiculously easy but still look like you put some thought into them.
Milano cookies already have the perfect shape for ghosts, so there’s really not much you have to do. Dip the top half in white chocolate, let it set, and give each ghost two eyes and a little mouth with melted milk chocolate.
I also really like using a toothpick instead of trying to pipe the faces. It gives you so much control when you’re working on something this small, and you can make every ghost’s expression a little different.
Make a big platter of them for a Halloween party, or add a few to individual Halloween treat bags.
They’re simple, cute, and just spooky enough for Halloween.
If you need a last-minute Halloween dessert that doesn’t involve turning on the oven, these Ghost Milano Cookies are definitely one to save.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many ingredients do I need for Ghost Milano Cookies?
Just three: Milano cookies, white chocolate, and milk chocolate.
Do I dip the entire Milano cookie in white chocolate?
No. Dip only about half of the cookie in white chocolate. This creates the ghost and leaves part of the Milano cookie showing underneath.
How do I make the ghost eyes?
Dip the tip of a toothpick into melted milk chocolate and gently make two small dots on the hardened white chocolate.
How do I make the ghost mouth?
Use the same toothpick and melted milk chocolate to create a slightly larger dot or small oval underneath the eyes.
Do I need candy eyes?
No. The eyes and mouth are both made with melted milk chocolate.
Can I make these without a piping bag?
Absolutely. A toothpick is all you need to decorate the faces.
How long do the cookies need to set?
The exact time depends on the chocolate and room temperature, but allow the white chocolate to become completely firm before adding the milk chocolate faces.
Tip: Give each ghost a slightly different expression. Tiny variations in the eyes and mouths make the finished tray even cuter.
