Harry Potter Cookies
These Harry Potter cookies are the perfect treat for any occasion! Kids absolutely love these cookies for birthday parties and celebrations. These cookies feature a unique and unforgettable flavor. The butterscotch buttercream is creamy and sweet. They are so fun to make, delicious to eat, and sure to bring a smile to any witch or wizard’s face!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
There are many reasons why you’ll love this Harry Potter cookie recipe. Here are just a few:
- They are so fun to make.
- The recipe is simple and straightforward, and the results are always delicious.
- These cookies are unique. You will feel like you are at Hogwarts!
- They cookies are soft and chewy, with just the right amount of sweetness.
- The butterscotch frosting is so smooth and creamy!
- These cookies are perfect for any Harry Potter-themed event, such as a birthday party, a movie marathon, or a Halloween party.
- They are fun to decorate. There are endless possibilities when it comes to decorating these cookies.
- You can create your favorite Harry Potter characters, symbols, and scenes!
- As with all of my recipes, these cookies are gluten free! Feel free to use all purpose flour if you are not gluten free.
- Check out these Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookies for another easy dessert recipe!
What Are Harry Potter Cookies?
Harry Potter cookies are sugar cookies that can be decorated to look like characters, symbols, or scenes from the Harry Potter series.
The strong butterscotch flavor reminds you of butterbeer. Butterbeer is a classic Hogwarts drink that is creamy and sweet. They can be made in a variety of shapes and sizes. In addition, these cookies can be decorated using a variety of techniques.
Ingredients & Substitutes
These are the main ingredients and substitutions for Harry Potter cookies. Scroll down to the recipe card for the full ingredients list and instructions.
For this cookie recipe, both gluten free flour and all purpose can be used. Since I am gluten free, I always use gluten free 1 to 1 flour.
Both baking powder and baking soda help these cookies rise.
A little salt helps balance out the sweetness.
Use slightly softened unsalted butter. I set my butter out 1 hour before baking to help soften it.
Both granulated sugar and light brown sugar add sweetness.
Only egg helps bind the cookies together. I do not recommend using a vegan egg replacement. If you are allergic to eggs, make these Eggless Cookies!
Vanilla extract adds a cozy flavor.
Butterscotch syrup adds a delicious butterbeer flavor. Feel free to use butterscotch ice cream topping.
Heavy cream adds a creamy flavor and texture.
Add in butterscotch chips for extra flavor!
For the butterscotch buttercream, use softened butter, salt, melted butterscotch chips, powdered sugar, butter extract, and vanilla extract.
Taste & Texture
Harry Potter cookies are soft and chewy, with just the right amount of sweetness.
The butterscotch buttercream frosting is so creamy.
These cookies can be flavored to taste like butterbeer, pumpkin juice, or any other Harry Potter-inspired flavor!
How to Make
Step 1
In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
Step 2
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
Step 3
Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
Step 4
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
Step 5
Stir in the butterscotch syrup and heavy cream until the dough comes together. If desired, fold in the butterscotch chips for added flavor and texture. Then, refrigerate the dough for 1 hour.
Step 6
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 7
Roll the dough into 1-inch balls. Place on the prepared baking sheet, leaving at least 3 inches between each cookie.
Step 8
Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for about 10 to 12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden brown.
Step 9
Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 10
Once fully cooled, make the butterscotch buttercream. Add the softened butter to a stand mixer. Beat until fluffy.
Step 11
Then, add in the melted butterscotch chips. Beat until combined.
Step 12
Sift in the powdered sugar and salt. Then, add in the extracts. Stir until light and fluffy.
Step 13
Lastly, frost each cookie once completely cooled!
Expert Tips for Success
Here are a few expert tips and tricks for making the best Harry Potter cookies.
Use good quality ingredients.
Use a stand mixer to cream the butter. Do not mix the butter, white sugar, and brown sugar by hand.
Chill the dough before baking. This will help the cookies hold their shape and prevent them from spreading too much.
In addition, chilling the dough helps make it less sticky.
Bake the cookies until they are just set. Overbaking will make them dry.
These cookies are gooey. Handle carefully after baking.
Be creative with your decorating! There are endless possibilities when it comes to decorating Harry Potter cookies.
Flavor Variations & Add-Ins
In addition to the basic butterscotch cookie recipe, there are many different ways to flavor and decorate Harry Potter cookies.
Use more butterscotch chips to add extra butterbeer flavor to your cookies.
Add pumpkin pie spice to your cookie dough for a pumpkin-flavored cookie.
Use green food coloring to make your cookies look like Gringott’s Bank.
Use red food coloring to make your cookies look like the Hogwarts Express!
Add in gold sprinkles to make your cookies look like the Golden Snitch.
How to Serve & Store
Harry Potter cookies are best served fresh. Allow the cookies to fully cool. Then, add the butterscotch frosting.
Serve with milk, coffee, or tea.
These cookies are gooey and buttery! Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
These cookies can also be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
You can also freeze these Hogwarts cookies for up to 2 months.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Butterbeer is a fictional beverage in the Harry Potter universe. It is described as a sweet, creamy drink with a butterscotch flavor. It can be served hot or cold.
Store them in an airtight container at room temperature. This keeps them nice and soft.
Add frosting, decorations, sprinkles, or other add-ins!
Equipment Needed
Pre-Cut Parchment Paper Sheets: Use parchment paper to prevent the Harry Potter cookies from sticking.
Pyrex 3 Glass Mixing Bowls: These are my favorite mixing bowls for baking cookies.
Pyrex Glass Measuring Cups: I love these measuring cups!
Hand Mixer: This hand mixer is easy to use. It is convenient and great for creaming butter and sugar.
KitchenAid Stand Mixer: I love this stand mixer for baking cookies!
USA Pan 3 Piece Cookie Sheet Set: This cookie sheet set is great for baking. It evenly distributes the heat.
Check out all of my kitchen favorites!
You May Also Enjoy
If you make this Harry Potter cookie recipe, I would really appreciate a review! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. Join my exclusive Facebook Group for a behind the scenes look. I would love for you to follow along! For more ideas, check out these Dessert Recipes.
Get the Recipe: Harry Potter Cookies
Ingredients
- 3 cups flour, gluten free or all purpose
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ cup butterscotch syrup, or butterscotch ice cream topping
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup butterscotch chips, optional, for added flavor
Butterscotch Buttercream
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup butterscotch chips, melted and slightly cooled
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- ¼ tsp butter extract
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Stir in the butterscotch syrup and heavy cream until the dough comes together. If desired, fold in the butterscotch chips for added flavor and texture. Then, refrigerate the dough for 1 hour.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll the dough into 1 inch balls. Place on the prepared baking sheet, leaving at least 3 inches between each cookie.
- Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for about 10 to 12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden brown.
- Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once fully cooled, make the butterscotch buttercream. Add the softened butter to a stand mixer. Beat until fluffy.
- Then, add in the melted butterscotch chips. Beat until combined.
- Sift in the powdered sugar and salt. Then, add in the extracts. Stir until light and fluffy.
- Finally, frost each cookie once completely cooled!
Notes
- I tested this recipe using both gluten free flour and all purpose flour. Both work well.
- For gluten free flour, I always use King Arthur Flour or Bob’s Red Mill.
- The cookie dough will be wet and sticky before chilling. It is imperative to chill the dough.
- Space the cookie dough balls out on the parchment lined baking sheet. These do spread while baking.
- Only frost the cookies once they are completely cooled down.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Freeze for 3 months.
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