Description
Soft, chewy pumpkin-spiced cookies decorated for Halloween, perfect for parties and cozy fall nights.
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup granulated sugar (for cinnamon sugar coating)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for cinnamon sugar coating)
- ½ cup vegan butter, softened (for frosting)
- 2 cups powdered sugar (for frosting)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)
- 1–2 tablespoons plant-based milk (for frosting consistency)
- 1 cup powdered sugar (for icing)
- 1–2 tablespoons plant-based milk (for icing)
- Food coloring (orange, black, white)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves.
- In a large bowl, combine pumpkin puree, brown sugar, granulated sugar, oil, maple syrup, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture, stirring just until combined. Avoid overmixing.
- Mix the cinnamon sugar coating on a plate. Roll dough into 1-inch balls, flatten slightly, and cut into shapes with Halloween cookie cutters. Coat each side in cinnamon sugar.
- Arrange cookies on baking sheets, leaving 2 inches between each. Bake for 10–12 minutes, until set and slightly puffed. Cool completely on a wire rack.
- To prepare the frosting, beat softened vegan butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing on low speed. Add vanilla and plant milk until smooth and spreadable.
- Once cookies are cool, spread frosting onto the flat side of one cookie, then sandwich with another. Repeat with all cookies.
- For decorating, mix powdered sugar and plant-based milk for icing. Divide into bowls and tint with food coloring. Using piping bags or spoons, decorate cookies as pumpkins, ghosts, or bats. Add details with contrasting colors.
- Let icing set at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
Chill the dough if it feels sticky. Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American