Description
Festive pumpkin-shaped sugar cookies bring autumn charm to holiday gatherings. Delicate orange-glazed treats delight guests with their whimsical design and sweet maple undertones you’ll savor.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 sticks (16 tablespoons) salted butter
- 1 large egg
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar, divided
Leavening Agents and Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Decorative Ingredients:
- orange gel food color
- green gel food color
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F, ensuring the rack is positioned in the center.
- In a medium bowl, thoroughly combine flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and kosher salt using a whisk. Set the dry mixture aside.
- Using an electric mixer, cream butter and sugars until fluffy and pale. Incorporate the egg, blending until smooth. Mix in vanilla extract.
- Gradually fold dry ingredients into the butter mixture, stirring until just incorporated. Avoid overmixing to maintain cookie texture.
- Separate the dough into two equal portions.
- Transform one dough portion into a vibrant orange using gel food coloring. Color the second portion green for pumpkin stems.
- Roll orange dough into uniform balls, placing them on parchment-lined baking sheets. Flatten each ball with a sugar-dipped glass, creating smooth discs. Indent the top of each cookie and carve four gentle curved lines to mimic pumpkin ridges.
- Craft small green cone-shaped stems. Gently press these into the indentation of each orange cookie.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes until cookie edges turn light golden and bottoms are slightly browned.
- Transfer cookies to a wire rack, allowing complete cooling to maintain structural integrity.
- Optional: Enhance stem details by carefully etching two tiny lines using a sharp paring knife.
- Repeat the entire process with remaining dough until all cookies are crafted.
Notes
- Customize Color Intensity experiment with different shades of orange and green gel food coloring to create unique, vibrant pumpkin cookie designs.
- Prevent Sticking generously coat the bottom of the glass with granulated sugar when flattening cookie dough to ensure smooth, easy release and prevent sticking.
- Make Gluten-Free swap regular flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to accommodate those with wheat sensitivities without compromising cookie texture.
- Enhance Flavor consider adding a pinch of ground cinnamon or nutmeg to the dough for a warm, autumnal spice profile that complements the pumpkin theme.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 70 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg