Get ready for spooky season with Halloween Pumpkin Cookies, pumpkin cookies shaped like jack-o’-lanterns with a soft, spiced bite and rich cocoa frosting. These Spooky Pumpkin Treats are perfect for Halloween parties, bake sales, or family baking fun. Try this easy recipe on Food and Tips for a festive treats dish that’s both delicious and delightful!
Why You’ll Love Halloween Pumpkin Cookies
- Festive Charm: Halloween Pumpkin Cookies feature jack-o’-lantern designs in this easy recipe.
- Spiced Flavor: Pumpkin and spices create cozy festive treats.
- Gooey Filling: Cocoa frosting adds richness to this pumpkin cookies dish.
- Fun to Make: Decorating is a blast for this easy recipe.
- Party-Ready: Perfect for Halloween gatherings in this festive treats dish.
Ingredients for Halloween Pumpkin Cookies
Here’s what you’ll need for this pumpkin cookies dish (makes ~24 cookie sandwiches):
For the Cookies:
- 9 tbsp (125 g) unsalted butter, softened
- ¼ cup (60 g) pumpkin puree
- ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
- ¾ cup (150 g) brown sugar
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 3½ cups (420 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- ¼ tsp kosher salt
- Orange food coloring (optional, a few drops red and yellow)
For the Cocoa Frosting:
- ¼ cup (55 g) unsalted butter
- 3 tbsp (15 g) cocoa powder
- ¼ cup (60 ml) milk
- 2 cups (240 g) powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Equipment
- Stand mixer or hand mixer
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk and spatula
- Baking sheets (2)
- Parchment paper or silicone mats
- Cookie scoop (optional)
- Paring knife (for jack-o’-lantern faces)
- Butter knife (for pumpkin ridges)
- Cooling rack
Ingredient Tips
- Pumpkin Puree: Use plain, not pie filling, for this festive treats dish.
- Butter: Softened for smooth dough in this pumpkin cookies treat.
- Spices: Pumpkin pie spice for warmth in this easy recipe.
- Cocoa Frosting: Rich and thick for this festive treats dish.
- Food Coloring: Optional for vibrant pumpkin cookies.
Directions for Halloween Pumpkin Cookies
Let’s bake this delightful festive treats dish!
Preheat Oven
I preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper for this pumpkin cookies treat.
Make Dough
I cream 9 tbsp butter, ¾ cup granulated sugar, and ¾ cup brown sugar until fluffy, about 2–3 minutes. I add ¼ cup pumpkin puree and 3 eggs, one at a time, mixing well. In another bowl, I whisk 3½ cups flour, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice, and ¼ tsp salt, then gradually mix into the wet ingredients until just combined. I add orange food coloring if desired for this easy recipe.
Chill Dough
I cover and chill the dough for 30 minutes to ease shaping for this festive treats dish.
Shape Cookies
I scoop 2 tbsp dough per cookie, flatten to ¼-inch thick, and place 2 inches apart on baking sheets. For half the cookies, I cut jack-o’-lantern faces (triangle eyes, nose, toothy grin) with a paring knife and score 3–4 vertical ridges with a butter knife for this pumpkin cookies treat.
Bake
I bake for 10–12 minutes, rotating pans halfway, until edges are lightly golden. I cool on racks for this easy recipe.
Make Frosting
I melt ¼ cup butter, whisk in 3 tbsp cocoa powder, ¼ cup milk, and 1 tsp vanilla until smooth. I gradually add 2 cups powdered sugar, beating until thick for this festive treats dish.
Assemble
I spread frosting on the flat side of uncut cookies, top with cut-out cookies to form sandwiches, and press gently for this Halloween Pumpkin Cookies.
Nutrition
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10–12 minutes
- Total Time: ~45 minutes (plus chilling)
- Servings: ~24 cookie sandwiches (4–6 servings)
- Calories: ~180 kcal per sandwich
- Macros per Sandwich: 25g carbs, 3g protein, 8g fat
Variations for Halloween Pumpkin Cookies
Try these twists on this pumpkin cookies dish:
- White Chocolate: Swap cocoa frosting for white chocolate for a milder festive treats dish.
- Maple Twist: Add ½ tsp maple extract to frosting for this pumpkin cookies treat.
- Spiced Up: Include ¼ tsp nutmeg in dough for a warmer easy recipe.
- Candy Eyes: Add candy eyes for fun festive treats.
- Cinnamon Kick: Sprinkle cinnamon in frosting for this pumpkin cookies dish.
Serving Ideas:
- Pair with Food and Tips’ pumpkin spice latte for a cozy treat.
- Serve with Food and Tips’ apple cider for a festive treats vibe.
- Enjoy with Food and Tips’ Halloween-themed snacks for a party spread.
Storage
I store this festive treats dish in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, layered with parchment. I freeze unfrosted cookies for up to 1 month, thawing before frosting for this easy recipe. Avoid refrigeration to prevent drying.
Serving Tips
- Presentation: Serve Halloween Pumpkin Cookies on a spooky-themed platter with mini pumpkins.
- Garnish: Add sprinkles for this pumpkin cookies appeal.
- Pairing: Enjoy with Food and Tips’ hot cocoa for a festive treats experience.
- Portion Size: 1–2 sandwiches per person for a satisfying serving.
- Occasions: Perfect for Halloween parties, bake sales, or family baking.
FAQs About Halloween Pumpkin Cookies
Here are answers to common questions about this pumpkin cookies dish:
Can I make the dough ahead?
Yes, refrigerate dough for up to 48 hours; soften slightly before shaping for this easy recipe.
Can I freeze the cookies?
Yes, freeze unfrosted cookies for 1 month; thaw before frosting for this festive treats dish.
What pumpkin puree is best?
Use plain canned puree, not pie filling, for this pumpkin cookies treat.
Can I use store-bought frosting?
Yes, but homemade is richer for this easy recipe.
Is food coloring necessary?
No, it’s optional for color in this festive treats dish.
More Dessert Recipes You’ll Love
- Grilled Peach Sundaes: The Perfect Summer Dessert
- Watermelon Fruit Cake: A Refreshing Summer Dessert
- Honeycomb Cheesecake – A Floral Summer Dessert
Conclusion
Halloween Pumpkin Cookies are a pumpkin cookies treat with spiced dough, cocoa frosting, and jack-o’-lantern charm. This easy recipe is ideal for Halloween celebrations or cozy baking. Make this festive treats dish on Food and Tips for a spooky, crowd-pleasing delight!
Halloween Pumpkin Cookies
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
- 9 tbsp 125 g unsalted butter, softened
- ¼ cup 60 g pumpkin puree
- ¾ cup 150 g granulated sugar
- ¾ cup 150 g brown sugar
- 3 large eggs room temperature
- 3½ cups 420 g all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- ¼ tsp kosher salt
- Orange food coloring optional, a few drops red and yellow
For the Cocoa Frosting:
- ¼ cup 55 g unsalted butter
- 3 tbsp 15 g cocoa powder
- ¼ cup 60 ml milk
- 2 cups 240 g powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
Preheat Oven
- I preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper for this pumpkin cookies treat.
Make Dough
- I cream 9 tbsp butter, ¾ cup granulated sugar, and ¾ cup brown sugar until fluffy, about 2–3 minutes. I add ¼ cup pumpkin puree and 3 eggs, one at a time, mixing well. In another bowl, I whisk 3½ cups flour, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice, and ¼ tsp salt, then gradually mix into the wet ingredients until just combined. I add orange food coloring if desired for this easy recipe.
Chill Dough
- I cover and chill the dough for 30 minutes to ease shaping for this festive treats dish.
Shape Cookies
- I scoop 2 tbsp dough per cookie, flatten to ¼-inch thick, and place 2 inches apart on baking sheets. For half the cookies, I cut jack-o’-lantern faces (triangle eyes, nose, toothy grin) with a paring knife and score 3–4 vertical ridges with a butter knife for this pumpkin cookies treat.
Bake
- I bake for 10–12 minutes, rotating pans halfway, until edges are lightly golden. I cool on racks for this easy recipe.
Make Frosting
- I melt ¼ cup butter, whisk in 3 tbsp cocoa powder, ¼ cup milk, and 1 tsp vanilla until smooth. I gradually add 2 cups powdered sugar, beating until thick for this festive treats dish.
Assemble
- I spread frosting on the flat side of uncut cookies, top with cut-out cookies to form sandwiches, and press gently for this Halloween Pumpkin Cookies.
Notes
- Use canned pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling.
- Chilling the dough helps cookies hold shape and avoids spreading.
- Cut jack-o’-lantern faces after baking when cookies are cool.
- Store cookies unfrosted for longer shelf life or freeze before assembling.
- Get creative with decorations: candy eyes, sprinkles, or white chocolate drizzle.
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