Jack O'Lantern Cookies

As I write this I am getting ready to make some Jack O’Lantern Cookies for G’s Halloween preschool party. These cookies have become somewhat of a tradition, as I have made them for R and now G’s preschool party for the past four years. What makes these Halloween cookies great? First, they are gingerbread flavor, and in my humble opinion, gingerbread is far superior to plain ole’ sugar cookies. Second, the orange frosting is all natural as it uses pureed pumpkin for the coloring, not food dye. Last but not least, these cute pumpkin cookies sport chocolate chip features to transform them into cute Jack O’Lanterns. If you aren’t up for baking some of these before Halloween, whip out your turkey cookie cutters and make some into turkeys next month! Jack O’Lantern Cookies 1 stick butter, room temperature ½ cup molasses ½ cup sugar 1 egg yolk 2 cups all purpose flour ½ teaspoon baking powder ½ teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon ground ginger ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg ½ teaspoon ground cloves In a large bowl, cream the butter, molasses and sugar until well blended. Add the egg yolk and stir well. In a medium bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. Add the flour to the butter mixture and stir until fully combined. Chill in the refrigerator for 2-4 hours or up to two days in advance. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Roll the dough until it is ¼ inch thick. Cut into shapes, and place on a cookie sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the dough is slightly browned on the edges. Let cool. When fully cooled, frost with the following: Naturally Orange Cookie Frosting ½ cup canned pumpkin puree ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 3-4 cups powdered sugar Blend until the mixture is thick, but spreadable, slightly less thick than peanut butter. Top with 7 chocolate chips in the shape like this: A fun treat for your little pumpkin! SPC
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