Jack-O’-Lantern Cookies

  2.0 – 1 reviews  • Halloween
Total: 1 hr 15 min
Active: 1 hr
Yield: 4 dozen 3-inch cookies

Ingredients

  1. 2 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
  2. 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
  3. 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  4. 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  5. 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  6. 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  7. 1/4 teaspoon salt
  8. 6 tablespoons butter (3/4 stick), softened
  9. 1/2 cup light brown sugar
  10. 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  11. 1 egg yolk, lightly beaten
  12. 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  13. 1/2 cup unsweetened pumpkin puree, recipe to follow
  14. 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  15. 1 pumpkin, such as Jack Be Little, Munchkin, or Spookie, 2 pounds

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, allspice, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, baking powder, and salt; reserve. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer set on medium-high speed, beat together the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg yolk and vanilla and beat well. Beat in the pumpkin puree. Reduce the speed to low and add the flour mixture in 3 batches, mixing well after each addition. Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured surface, divide in half, flatten each half into a disk, wrap separately in plastic wrap, and chill for 30 minutes. Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. On a lightly floured surface, roll out 1 of the disks 1/8-inch thick. Using a pumpkin-shaped cookie cutter or cardboard Jack-o’-lantern template 5 to 6 inches in diameter, cut out cookies. If using the cookie cutter, finish off the Jack-o’-lantern by cutting out eyes and a mouth with the tip of a sharp knife. Repeat with the remaining dough. Transfer the cookies to the prepared baking sheets. Bake until golden, 12 to 15 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. Decorate with colored sugars/chocolates.
  2. Preheat an oven to 400 degrees. Brush a baking sheet with the oil.
  3. Cut the pumpkin in half horizontally and scoop out the seeds and strings (save the seeds for roasting). Place the pumpkin halves cut side down on the prepared baking sheet. Bake until the flesh is soft when pierced with a fork, 45 to 60 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool.
  4. Scoop out the flesh into a food processor or blender. Puree until smooth. Spoon the pumpkin puree into a sieve placed over a large bowl. Let the pumpkin drain for 30 minutes before using. Cover and refrigerate for up to 1 week, or freeze up to 1 year.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 1 of 48 servings
Calories 59
Total Fat 2 g
Saturated Fat 1 g
Carbohydrates 10 g
Dietary Fiber 0 g
Sugar 3 g
Protein 1 g
Cholesterol 7 mg
Sodium 17 mg

Reviews

Joseph Gray PhD
I love pumpkin and was excited to try these. I thought they were bland and I didn’t like the consistency. I did use canned pumpkin instead of fresh.

 

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