Description
Whimsical Pumpkin Face Sugar Cookies bring seasonal charm to Halloween celebrations, delighting guests with playful jack-o’-lantern designs. Creamy frosting and festive decorations make these treats irresistible for you to enjoy with family and friends.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) pumpkin puree
- 1 large egg
- 2 1/2 cups (313 grams) all-purpose flour
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Leavening Agents and Salt:
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Combine all dry ingredients in a medium bowl, whisking flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and warm autumn spices until evenly distributed.
- In a separate large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar together until the mixture becomes pale and airy, creating a smooth base.
- Incorporate pumpkin puree, egg, and vanilla extract into the butter mixture, blending until the ingredients form a cohesive, slightly orange-tinted batter.
- Gently fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring carefully to prevent overmixing and maintain a tender cookie texture.
- Wrap the dough in plastic film and refrigerate for at least 60 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the dough to firm up.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare baking sheets with parchment paper, ensuring even heat distribution.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll the chilled dough to approximately 1/4-inch thickness, using a pumpkin-shaped cookie cutter to create festive shapes.
- Arrange cookie cutouts on prepared baking sheets, spacing them slightly apart to prevent merging during baking.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, watching for golden-brown edges as an indicator of perfect doneness.
- Remove from oven and let cookies rest on baking sheets for 3-4 minutes to stabilize, then transfer to a wire cooling rack to reach room temperature.
Notes
- Chill the dough thoroughly to prevent spreading and maintain the pumpkin face shape during baking.
- Use fresh spices to enhance the warm, aromatic pumpkin flavor and create a more intense taste profile.
- For a gluten-free version, swap wheat flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to accommodate dietary restrictions.
- Decorate cooled cookies with royal icing or melted chocolate to create detailed pumpkin face expressions and add a festive touch.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 130 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 110 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg