Halloween Pumpkin Cookies

These Halloween pumpkin cookies are perfect for serving as a treat this spooky season. They're simple sugar cookies, iced with rolled fondant and decorated with an icing pen.

To make these Halloween pumpkin cookies, you'll start by combining sugar, butter, eggs and vanilla extract, followed by flour, baking powder and salt.

The dough will be thick, so I like to use an electric hand mixer to bring everything together, then pop the dough in the refrigerator to chill.

In the meantime, you can make the cookie toppers. A lot of people decorate cookies using a flood icing technique, which involves piping a base layer of icing onto the cookie and then letting it dry.

I think that this technique is great for more detailed designs, but I wanted to make these Halloween pumpkin cookies super simple so we're using rolled out fondant icing.

For the orange fondant, I made the colour myself by combining some yellow fondant with a little bit of red fondant kneaded through it. You don't need much red at all to get a perfect jack-o-lantern shade. Or you can buy orange-coloured fondant in supermarkets, baking stores and on Amazon.

You just roll the fondant out, using a little cornflour to stop it from sticking to your surface, cut out shapes with your pumpkin cookie cutter and set them aside to firm up.

Once the cookie dough is chilled, you'll roll it out onto a floured surface and use that same pumpkin cookie cutter to cut out the shapes. Place the cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for just a few minutes until golden.

While the cookies are still warm, you'll brush them really sparingly with a mix of icing sugar and water, which acts as a sort of glue so that when you lay the fondant shapes on top, they stick perfectly!

Once your cookies are fully cooled, you'll use a store-bought icing pen to draw on the features. This is the best part, as you can have great fun giving each pumpkin it's own jack-o-lantern personality.

These Halloween pumpkin cookies are such a fun and easy treat to make and they're sure to be a hit with family and friends!

Here's the full recipe including lots of pics and extra tips so that you can have fun making these festive cookies and really get in the Halloween spirit!

Instructions

Make The Cookie Dough

Preheat the oven to 200C (180C fan assisted, 400F).

Put the butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla in a mixing bowl.

Whisk until fluffy and pale.

Sift in the flour, baking powder, salt and bicarbonate of soda.

Stir until fully combined and clumpy

Gather up the pieces and knead together only as much as it takes to get a smooth ball of dough.

Wrap and place in the fridge to rest and chill for 15 minutes.

Make The Icing Toppers

Roll the sugar paste out to about 2-3mm (1/8 inch) thick. I like to work in batches so that I've got counter space.

Cut out 30 shapes using your pumpkin-shaped cookie cutter.

Place the sugar paste shapes to one side on a board lightly dusted with cornflour so that they stay flat.

Shape And Bake The Halloween pumpkin cookies

Clean your surface and dust with flour. Retrieve your chilled cookie dough and roll it out to approximately 1/2 cm (approx 1/4 inch) thick. Again, I find it it easiest to roll a 1/4-1/3 of the dough at a time so that I'm not working with too much at once.

Cut as many cookies as you can with the same pumpkin-shaped cookie cutter you used for the sugar paste. Again, aim to cut them close together to reduce the need to overwork the dough by gathering and re-rolling too many times. You should get 30 cookies in total.

Place the cookies on a lined baking sheets as you cut them out. They don't need to be spaced more than a centimetre or two (half inch) apart as they only spread a little bit.

Bake the cookies for 6 minutes or until pale golden at the edges.

Ice The Halloween pumpkin cookies

In a small container, mix the icing sugar with a teaspoon of water until dissolved to make a 'glue'.

Brush the warm cookies very sparingly with the 'glue', then place a sugar paste pumpkin on top. Repeat until all the cookies are iced.

Transfer the cookies to a cooling rack to cool and crisp up.

Add the details

Use your icing pen to add details to the pumpkin cookies. You could simply add pumpkin detail, turn them into jack-o-lanterns, or go freestyle!

Enjoy your Halloween pumpkin cookies!

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Pointers, tricks and troubleshooting tips for the perfect Halloween Pumpkin Cookies

Are Halloween Pumpkin Cookies easy to make?

Halloween Pumpkin Cookies are actually relatively easy to make. The most important thing is to get the cookies baked well, and the sugar paste rolled out evenly.

Will I need any special equipment to make Halloween Pumpkin Cookies?

To make these cookies, you'll need standard cooking equipment like scales, spoons, a bowl, baking trays and a rolling pin. You'll also need a pumpkin-shaped cookie cutter and a small paintbrush for the decoration.

There's always a complete list of suggested equipment on the recipe card below my recipes if you're in doubt. 

I also always include links to example products to show precisely what I used to make each recipe.

What is sugar paste?

Sugar paste is a malleable sugar dough made from sucrose and glucose. It's often used as an alternative to fondant icing for cake decoration.

However, sugar paste differs from fondant icing in the way it dries. The critical difference is that sugar paste sets hard, whereas fondant icing will stay soft.  

Sugar paste is usually easier to roll very thinly without cracking, so it's perfect for using on cookies like this as it will give a smooth and even finish, keeping your cookies neat even in the cookie jar!

If you can't find sugar paste, you can use fondant icing; there's very little difference between the two, apart from how hard they set!

Where can I get sugar paste? 

You probably won't find sugar paste in a store unless you live near a cake decoration shop, but luckily it's pretty easy to find online. Sugar pastes are usually available in various colours from online cake decorating retailers or Amazon all year round.

How can I tell if my eggs have gone off?

Eggs can go off sooner than you think, especially if not stored properly. If you're not sure whether your eggs are still good to use, you can crack one into a bowl or mug and check for the following signs:

• The eggshell is cracked or damaged.
• The egg whites are watery or cloudy.
• The egg smells foul or rotten.

If your egg is spoiled, you should dispose of it immediately and wash anything it comes into contact with, including your hands!

How can I tell if the butter has gone off?

Butter is a dairy product; like all dairy products, it can go off if it's not stored properly. If you think your butter might be past its best, check for the following signs:

• Discolouration: Butter that has gone off will usually become a darker yellow colour.
• Texture: Off butter will begin to separate and develop a layer of condensation on the surface. This happens when enzymes released by bacteria break down the protein. If you try eating rancid butter will also have a fizzy mouthfeel.
• Smell: Butter that has gone bad will smell sour.

If your butter is off, don't use it! Instead, throw it away and clean anything it came into contact with. Spoiled dairy can carry dangerous bacteria, so it's best to err on the side of caution.

Are Halloween Pumpkin Cookies suitable for vegetarians?

Yes, Halloween Pumpkin Cookies are suitable for vegetarians as they do not contain any meat or fish. However, please check the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients to ensure there's nothing else in the recipe that isn't suitable for your diet.

Animal-derived products can be used to thicken, colour or flavour sweet and savoury food, so it sneaks into the most surprising ingredients! So always make sure that you double-check all of your ingredient labels to ensure that they are vegetarian. Also, don't forget to check anything extra you intend to serve with your Halloween Pumpkin Cookies.

Are Halloween Pumpkin Cookies suitable for vegans?

No, Halloween Pumpkin Cookies are not suitable for vegans as they contain butter and eggs. However, there are some great vegan substitutes for eggs and butter that you could use in this recipe. I've listed some of my favourites below:

Eggs: The cookie dough in this recipe requires one egg, and for a vegan alternative, I'd suggest using a powdered egg replacer rather than ground chia seeds. This is because you're more likely to notice the seeds in your cookie dough than in a sponge cake or pancake.

One of the better vegan egg replacements I've used is Orgran Easy Egg Replacer. You mix 1tbsp with 2 tbsp water to replace 1 egg. The mixture is smooth, has the same quantity of liquid as an egg and gives consistent results in bakes without any grainy texture.

Butter: Plant-based butter is available in supermarkets worldwide. There are many brands in different regions. I'm based in the UK, and I use Flora Plant, as it has a good flavour, similar fat content to dairy butter and works well in bakes. However, if you can't find Flora, any vegan butter with a fat content of 80% should work.

When using these vegan substitutes, the recipe method should remain the same. However, you may need to monitor your cookies for any issues as you go along.

Animal-derived products can be used to thicken, colour or flavour sweet and savoury food, so it sneaks into the most surprising ingredients! So always make sure that you double-check all of your ingredient labels to ensure that they are vegetarian. Also, don't forget to check anything extra you intend to serve with your Halloween Pumpkin Cookies.

Are Halloween Pumpkin Cookies gluten-free?

These cookies contain wheat flour, so they aren't gluten-free. However, cookies are a great recipe for adapting with gluten-free flour, as biscuit dough doesn't rely on gluten from the flour.

For a gluten-free version of these Halloween Pumpkin Cookies, I'd recommend using a gluten-free flour blend like Doves Free From Gluten, Wheat & Dairy. This cup-for-cup replacement for wheat flour should work well in this recipe.

I haven't tried this recipe with any other kinds of flour, so I can't be sure how it would turn out. However, I have had good results with Doves Farm in the past.

Double-check all of your ingredient labels to make sure that they are gluten-free. Also, don't forget to check anything extra you intend to serve with your Halloween Pumpkin Cookies.

Halloween Pumpkin Cookies are a delicious treat that everyone can enjoy if you take care of the potential allergens. So follow the recipe closely and double-check your ingredient labels to ensure they are safe for you to eat. Most importantly, enjoy!

Are Halloween Pumpkin Cookies keto-friendly?

No, Halloween Pumpkin Cookies are not suitable for a keto diet as they contain sugar and wheat flour. However, there are some keto-friendly substitutes that you could use in this recipe.

For a keto-friendly version of these Halloween Pumpkin Cookies, I'd recommend using low-carb flour like almond flour or coconut flour. You'll also need to use a keto-friendly sweetener like stevia or erythritol in place of the sugar.

I haven't tried this recipe with either of these substitutes, so I can't be sure how it would turn out. However, I have used both almond flour and erythritol in other recipes with good results.

You would also need to omit the sugar paste topping, as it is also unsuitable for a ketogenic diet.

Are Halloween Pumpkin Cookies suitable for those on a FODMAP diet?

A low FODMAP diet entails avoiding foods that contain high amounts of fermentable carbohydrates. These include wheat, dairy, certain fruits, vegetables and legumes. It doesn't mean completely eradicating them from your diet, only cutting down to a very small intake.

So, unfortunately, if you follow a low-FODMAP diet, Halloween Pumpkin Cookies are unsuitable as they contain wheat flour and butter.

Are Halloween Pumpkin Cookies healthy?

Well, that depends on your definition of healthy! Halloween Pumpkin Cookies are made with sugar, wheat flour and butter, so they're certainly not the healthiest cookies around. However, they are a treat that can be enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

Are Halloween Pumpkin Cookies safe to eat while pregnant?

Yes, Halloween Pumpkin Cookies are safe to eat while pregnant as long as you take care with a few of the potential allergens.

The main ingredients in these Halloween Pumpkin Cookies are sugar, wheat flour and butter. If pregnant, it's essential to check that the eggs you use are pasteurised and safe to eat.

You should also check the expiry date of your ingredients, as there's a small chance that out-of-date butter could cause food poisoning or Listeriosis.

As always, make sure you wash your hands thoroughly before handling any food and clean all surfaces and utensils after preparing the Halloween Pumpkin Cookies.

A Mummy Too does not offer medical advice. Please seek help from a medical professional if you need further information or have any concerns.

Is Halloween Pumpkin Cookies suitable for babies and toddlers?

This recipe isn't suitable for little ones, as most healthcare providers advise that you shouldn't feed food containing sugar to children under 5.

For more information, the NHS has some fantastic resources on their website on what to feed babies and young children.

A Mummy Too does not give medical advice. Please speak to a health professional if you have any questions or concerns.

What goes well with Halloween Pumpkin Cookies?

There are lots of delicious things that go well with Halloween Pumpkin Cookies! Here are a few of my favourites:

• A glass of cold milk
• A scoop of vanilla ice cream
• A dollop of whipped cream
• A drizzle of chocolate sauce
• A cookie dip or a caramel dip 

What is the best way to cut out the Halloween Pumpkin Cookies?

Cutting them close together will help to reduce the amount of dough that needs to be re-rolled.

If you're finding that the dough is sticking to your cutter, dip it in a little flour before each cut.

You can also use a knife to cut out other simple shapes like ghosts or bats.

How should I store Halloween Pumpkin Cookies?

Halloween Pumpkin Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

How long will Halloween Pumpkin Cookies keep?

Halloween Pumpkin Cookies will keep for up to 5 days in an airtight container at room temperature.

Can I leave Halloween Pumpkin Cookies out on the counter?

Your Halloween Pumpkin Cookies can be left out on the counter for a few hours. However, they are best stored in an airtight container to keep them fresh for longer.

Can I make Halloween Pumpkin Cookies ahead?

Yes, you can make your Halloween Pumpkin Cookies ahead of time. Simply store them in an airtight container for up to 5 days at room temperature.

Can I keep Halloween Pumpkin Cookies in the refrigerator?

You can store your Halloween Pumpkin Cookies, but they'll be fine in a cupboard or cool dark place in an airtight container.

Can I freeze Halloween Pumpkin Cookies?

Halloween Pumpkin Cookies can be frozen for up to 3 months. Ensure they're well wrapped or in a freezer-safe container, so they don't dry out.

Sometimes frozen food can dry out because of freezer burn. Freezer burn is the frosty layer on frozen food. It's caused when moisture is drawn from the food into the air around it and ice crystals form on the food's surface. Freezer burn dries out food or makes it taste bland.

So to avoid freezer burn, wrap your Halloween Pumpkin Cookies tightly to reduce the air around them. You can also try placing them in a freezer-safe container with a tight-fitting lid.

What is the best way to defrost Halloween Pumpkin Cookies?

Halloween Pumpkin Cookies can be defrosted at room temperature or in the fridge. If you spread the cookies onto a plate or tray in a single layer, they should be fully defrosted in less than 30 minutes.

Can I make Halloween Pumpkin Cookies in a stand mixer such as a KitchenAid or Kenwood Mixer?

Yes, you can make Halloween Pumpkin Cookies in a stand mixer. The dough will come together quickly and easily using the paddle attachment.

However, take care not to overmix your cookie dough or end up with tough cookies.

Can I make Halloween Pumpkin Cookies with a food processor?

A food processor wouldn't be suitable for mixing your cookie dough, as the dough would get stuck in the blades and just make a big mess.

How can I make sure my Halloween Pumpkin Cookies turn out perfectly?

There are a few key things to remember when baking Halloween Pumpkin Cookies:

• Make sure your ingredients are measured out before you start baking. This will reduce the chance of mistakes which can occur if you're trying to focus on measuring and cooking at the same time.
• Cream the butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla together until light and fluffy. This will ensure your cookie dough ingredients are evenly mixed.
• Once you add the flour, don't overmix the dough. Overmixing will result in tough cookies. You only need to bring the ingredients together; no kneading is required.
• Give your dough time to rest and chill. This will prevent your cookies from spreading too much in the oven.
• Bake your Halloween Pumpkin Cookies until they're just set and lightly golden around the edges. They might look undercooked, but they'll firm up as they cool.
• Allow your Halloween Pumpkin Cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack. This will prevent them from breaking or crumbling.
• When working with sugar paste, make sure the room isn't too hot or humid, or it will become sticky.
• Try to get your sugar paste rolled out into an even layer for the neatest pumpkin topping.

Why did my Halloween Pumpkin Cookies turn out dry/crumbly?

If your cookies turned out dry or crumbly, it's probably because you overbaked them or they were cooked at the wrong temperature. 

Before you put the cookies in the oven, check the oven is set to the right temperature. If the oven is too hot, the cookies will burn and dry out. If you find food often overcooks in your oven, then the temperature dial might be inaccurate. Luckily, you can use an oven thermometer to get an accurate internal reading.

An oven thermometer is an oven-safe thermometer that you can put in the oven before cooking to check it's at the right temperature. Or you can keep it in the oven, letting you monitor the temperature as you cook.

These cookies only need 6 minutes in the oven, so they can quickly overcook. When you put them in the oven, make sure to set a timer on the oven or if you're leaving the room, set a timer on your phone and keep it with you, so you can hear it. 

Why did my Halloween Pumpkin Cookies turn out wet/soft/dense?

These Halloween Pumpkin Cookies have a very short cooking time. So if they turned out wet, soft or dense, it's most likely because of an issue with the oven temperature or the ingredients.

If you added too many wet ingredients or fat, the cookies will turn out soft or so greasy they feel soft and wet. So check back and. make sure your ingredient ratios were correct.

If your ingredients were spot on, then your cookies are probably soft because the oven wasn't hot enough when you put them in. The oven should be preheated and fully up to temperature before you put the cookies in.

If this is the case, you can just pop them back in when the oven is up to temperature. Give them another 2-3 minutes, depending on how undercooked they are.

How can I add/change the flavours in these Halloween Pumpkin Cookies?

There are many ways to change the flavours in these Halloween Pumpkin Cookies. You could:

• Use a different type of sugar, like brown sugar or coconut sugar.
• Add a teaspoon of cinnamon, ginger or nutmeg to the dough for a spiced flavour.
• Swap out the vanilla extract for almond, lemon, or orange extract.
• Add chocolate chips, raisins or chopped nuts to the dough before baking.
• Fold some shredded desiccated coconut into the dough for a tropical twist.

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