Spooky Pumpkin Jack O (Print-Friendly Version)
Bright orange cookies with vanilla flavor and fun black icing faces bring festive Halloween joy.
# Ingredients:
→ Dry Ingredients
01 -
2 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
02 -
1 teaspoon baking powder
03 -
1/4 teaspoon salt
→ Wet Ingredients
04 -
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
05 -
3/4 cup granulated sugar
06 -
1 large egg, room temperature
07 -
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
08 -
1/2 teaspoon orange gel food coloring
→ Decoration
09 -
Black decorating icing, premade
# Steps:
01 -
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ease cleanup.
02 -
Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt until smooth and free of lumps to ensure even cookie texture.
03 -
Beat softened butter and granulated sugar for about two minutes until light and fluffy, building a tender dough base.
04 -
Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until batter is smooth and fragrant, forming a balanced dough.
05 -
Gradually fold in the dry ingredients, then blend in orange gel food coloring until the dough reaches a bright pumpkin hue.
06 -
Roll dough into 1 1/2-inch balls. Place on baking sheets spacing evenly. Lightly flatten tops with a glass.
07 -
Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until edges are pale golden but centers remain soft. Allow cookies to firm as they cool.
08 -
Transfer cookies to a wire rack after brief resting. Decorate cooled cookies with black icing, crafting playful jack o lantern faces.
# Notes & Tips:
01 -
Dough can be frozen before baking for up to three months. Decorate after thawing. Use gel coloring to avoid altering dough consistency.