Description
Festive pumpkin-shaped cookies with a hidden chocolate center, perfect for Halloween celebrations and autumn gatherings.
Ingredients
- 3¼ cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 12 ounces milk chocolate, chopped or chips
- Orange gel food coloring, as needed
- Black gel food coloring, for decorating
- ½ cup powdered sugar, for dusting (optional)
Instructions
- Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.
- Cream butter and sugar in a large bowl for about 4 minutes until pale and fluffy.
- Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract.
- Gradually fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Divide dough in half. Knead orange gel coloring into one half until evenly distributed.
- Wrap both portions in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 35 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll orange dough on a floured surface to ¼ inch thickness. Cut out pumpkin shapes.
- Roll plain dough to the same thickness and cut out equal number of shapes.
- Place half the orange cookies on baking sheets. Add about 1 tablespoon chopped chocolate to each center.
- Top with plain cookies and press edges to seal completely.
- Bake 9 to 11 minutes until edges are golden. Centers will look slightly soft.
- Cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire racks.
- Once completely cooled, use black gel coloring to draw jack-o-lantern faces.
- Dust with powdered sugar if desired.
Notes
Use finely chopped chocolate or quality chips for the filling. Make sure dough is well chilled so cookies hold their shape during baking. Press edges firmly when sealing to prevent chocolate from leaking out.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes