Description
Spooky Halloween delight, these jack-o-lantern chocolate sugar cookies blend festive charm with irresistible chocolate richness. Playful pumpkin designs and deep cocoa flavor promise a delectable seasonal treat that will enchant dessert enthusiasts and Halloween party guests.
Ingredients
Scale
Chocolate Base Ingredients:
- 2 1/2 cups (318 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup (50 grams) Dutch-process cocoa powder
- 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 sticks (170 grams) unsalted butter
Binding and Flavor Ingredients:
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
Frosting Ingredients:
- 4 ounces (113 grams) cream cheese
- 4 tablespoons (57 grams) unsalted butter
- 1 1/2 cups (188 grams) powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- A few drops of orange gel food coloring
Instructions
- Prepare the chocolate cookie dough by sifting flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. In a separate large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and airy using an electric mixer.
- Incorporate eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract. Gradually blend dry ingredients into the wet mixture until a slightly tacky dough forms.
- Place dough between parchment paper sheets and roll to 1/4-inch thickness. Refrigerate for 1 hour or freeze for 30 minutes until firm.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Use pumpkin-shaped cookie cutters to cut out cookie shapes. For half the cookies, carefully carve jack-o’-lantern facial features using a sharp paring knife.
- Arrange cookies on baking sheets and bake for 8-9 minutes. Allow cookies to rest on baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.
- Create cream cheese frosting by whipping cream cheese, butter, and vanilla until fluffy in a stand mixer. Gradually add powdered sugar and beat until smooth.
- Tint frosting with orange food coloring to achieve desired shade.
- Spread frosting on plain pumpkin cookies, then gently press jack-o’-lantern face cookies on top to create sandwich cookies, ensuring even frosting distribution.
Notes
- Chill the dough thoroughly to prevent spreading and maintain crisp cookie shapes during baking.
- Use parchment paper when rolling out dough to prevent sticking and ensure easy transfer of delicate cookie cutouts.
- Experiment with different food coloring shades to create unique orange frosting variations for Halloween festivity.
- Swap cream cheese for dairy-free alternatives like vegan cream cheese to make the recipe allergy-friendly and inclusive.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 8-9 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 240 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 65 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg