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Pumpkin Sugar Cookies with Orange and Green Details Recipe

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4.3 from 47 reviews

These Pumpkin Sugar Cookies are a festive treat perfect for autumn and Halloween. Soft, buttery sugar cookies are colored and shaped to resemble pumpkins with green stems, making them as delightful to look at as they are to eat. The recipe features classic sugar cookie dough with vibrant orange and green gel food coloring, rolled and chilled for easy slicing and baking to golden perfection.

Ingredients

Cookie Dough

  • 1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter, softened (but not melty!)
  • 1 ½ cups (300 g) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 ½ cups (315 g) all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ¾ teaspoon salt

Coloring

  • Orange gel food coloring (Amerigel electric orange preferred)
  • Green gel food coloring

Instructions

  1. Prepare the butter mixture: Combine the softened butter, granulated sugar, egg, and vanilla extract in a large mixing bowl. Use an electric or stand mixer to beat the ingredients on medium speed until the mixture is creamy, fluffy, and well combined, about 2-3 minutes.
  2. Mix dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined.
  3. Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, stirring on low speed until fully incorporated. Pause occasionally to scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl for even mixing.
  4. Divide and color dough: Remove about ¼ of the dough (approximately ¾ cup or 220 g) and place it in a separate bowl. From that portion, take 1 tablespoon and place it in another small bowl. Add orange gel food coloring to the larger portion until a vibrant pumpkin orange is achieved. Add green gel food coloring to the small tablespoon portion until it becomes a vivid green. Leave the remaining majority of the dough uncolored.
  5. Chill colored dough if sticky: If the colored doughs are too sticky to handle, chill them in the refrigerator for 15-30 minutes until firm enough to roll.
  6. Shape pumpkin logs and stems: Divide the orange dough into two equal pieces. Roll each into a skinny log about ⅔ inch tall and 1 inch wide. Use a wooden skewer or knife to create an indentation along the top lengthwise. Roll the green dough into thin strips to fit into the indentations as pumpkin stems. Repeat for both orange logs. Place logs on a tray and freeze for 15 minutes to 1 hour to firm up.
  7. Wrap logs with plain dough: Meanwhile, cover the uncolored dough and refrigerate. Once pumpkin logs are firm, remove from freezer. Divide the plain dough into two pieces and wrap each piece smoothly around one pumpkin log, molding so the pumpkin design remains centered inside. Wrap the combined logs tightly in plastic wrap and place on a plush kitchen towel to prevent flattening. Refrigerate to chill for at least 4 hours or up to one week.
  8. Preheat oven and prepare baking sheets: When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or use ungreased baking sheets.
  9. Slice and bake cookies: Remove chilled dough logs from refrigerator, unwrap, and slice into ¼ inch thick slices. Arrange slices on prepared baking sheets at least 2 inches apart.
  10. Bake and cool: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes or until the cookie edges begin to turn a light golden brown. Remove cookies and allow them to cool completely on the baking sheet before serving or storing.

Notes

  • Use gel food coloring for vibrant colors without affecting dough consistency.
  • If dough becomes too sticky while handling, refrigerate until firm.
  • Cut cookies evenly for uniform baking and appearance.
  • Store baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
  • Freezing shaped dough logs allows for advance preparation and slicing fresh cookies later.
  • Using a plush kitchen towel under wrapped dough logs prevents flattening during chilling.

Find it online: https://flavorspath.com/pumpkin-sugar-cookies-with-orange-and-green-details-recipe/