Caramel-Filled Jack-o'-Lantern Cookies (Print View)

Golden pumpkin-shaped cookies with soft caramel centers and playful faces, ideal for fall celebrations.

# Components:

→ Cookie Dough

01 - 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
04 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
05 - 1 cup granulated sugar
06 - 1 large egg
07 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
08 - orange gel food coloring, as needed (optional)

→ Caramel Filling

09 - 20 soft caramel candies
10 - 2 tablespoons heavy cream

→ Decoration

11 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, for dusting
12 - mini chocolate chips or black icing, as needed for eyes and mouth (optional)
13 - green icing or melted chocolate, as needed for stems (optional)

# Directions:

01 - In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed for about 2 minutes, until light and fluffy.
03 - Add the large egg, vanilla extract, and orange gel food coloring if using. Mix until the mixture is smooth.
04 - Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until a soft dough develops.
05 - Divide the dough into two even discs, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes.
06 - Preheat oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
07 - On a lightly floured surface, roll one dough disc to a 1/4-inch thickness. Use a pumpkin-shaped cookie cutter to cut out shapes. With a small knife, carve jack-o'-lantern faces into half the cookies.
08 - Transfer cookies to lined baking sheets, spacing them 1 inch apart. Repeat the cutting process with the second disc.
09 - Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Cool cookies completely on wire racks.
10 - Combine caramel candies and heavy cream in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir continuously until smooth and fully melted.
11 - Spread about 1 teaspoon of caramel onto the flat side of each whole pumpkin-shaped cookie. Top with a face-cutout cookie and gently press to form sandwiches.
12 - Lightly dust cookies with granulated sugar. Finish decorating faces and stems as desired using chocolate chips, black icing, green icing, or melted chocolate.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Uses simple pantry ingredients
  • Chilling step ensures perfect cutouts and shapes
  • Kid-friendly decorating and assembly
  • Festive for parties or fall events
02 -
  • Each cookie bursts with gooey caramel and buttery crispness
  • Perfect for Halloween gifts or school treats
  • Chill dough well for pro-level cutouts
03 -
  • Roll dough evenly by using two ruler guides for foolproof thickness
  • Do not skimp on chilling time for sharp shapes and stress-free cutting
  • Let filled cookies sit for at least twenty minutes so caramel sets and decorations stay sharp

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