Thank you so much for being here! I’m truly grateful every time you stop by to bake something new with me, and today’s recipe is such a fun one—it brings a little Halloween magic straight to your kitchen. These Jack-O’-Lantern Pumpkin Sugar Cookies are everything I love about fall baking: warm, spiced, soft sugar cookies with the cutest carved pumpkin faces you’ve ever seen. They’re festive, flavorful, and totally irresistible.
If you’re a fan of soft sugar cookies and anything pumpkin-spiced, you’re going to love these. And if you’re already picturing these cookies on a Halloween party tray or wrapped in little cellophane bags for trick-or-treaters… you’re my kind of people!
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Jack-O’-Lantern Pumpkin Sugar Cookies: Festive, Spiced, and Soft!
So, what exactly are Jack-O’-Lantern Pumpkin Sugar Cookies? They’re soft-baked pumpkin sugar cookies infused with warming spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger, then cut into cute pumpkin shapes. The final (and most fun!) touch is decorating them with jack-o’-lantern faces using royal icing, melted chocolate, or even edible markers—so fun for kids and adults alike!
These cookies are more than just cute. They’re buttery, lightly sweet, and so pillowy soft with just the right chew. The pumpkin flavor comes through in a cozy, not-overpowering way, and the spices round everything out beautifully. Honestly? They taste like fall.
I promised you festive and versatile, and here’s proof: they’re perfect for Halloween parties, fall bake sales, school treats, cozy weekend baking with kids, or even as edible place cards for a spooky dinner. Anything but boring!!
Let’s dig into what makes these cookies so lovable.
Why You’ll Fall in Love with These Pumpkin Sugar Cookies
Festive Fun: Shaped and decorated like jack-o’-lanterns, these cookies bring Halloween spirit in the sweetest way possible.
Kid-Friendly: Great for baking and decorating with little ones. They’ll love choosing different pumpkin face expressions!
Perfect Texture: Soft, tender centers with lightly crisp edges.
Make-Ahead Friendly: The dough can be prepped in advance and frozen or chilled.
Customizable: Use your favorite icing method—royal, buttercream, or simple powdered sugar glaze.
What Do Pumpkin Sugar Cookies Taste Like?
Imagine the most tender sugar cookie you’ve ever had—but now it’s infused with velvety pumpkin puree, warm autumn spices, and a subtle hint of vanilla. The taste is like a cozy fall day wrapped in a cookie. Add the buttery richness and the melt-in-your-mouth softness, and you’ll understand why these vanish fast every time I make them.
If you’ve ever had a pumpkin muffin and thought, “I wish this were a cookie,” then get ready—because this one’s for you.
Benefits of Baking These Cookies
Pumpkin puree adds moisture, creating that beloved soft cookie texture.
Spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves bring depth and warmth.
No need to chill the dough for hours—though you can for extra shape hold.
Decorating doubles as a Halloween activity—great for families or themed gatherings.
They store beautifully and are easy to transport, gift, or share.
Ingredients for Jack-O’-Lantern Pumpkin Sugar Cookies
Here’s what you’ll need for the cookies themselves:
2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp ground nutmeg
¼ tsp ground cloves
¼ tsp ground ginger
¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
½ cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
¾ cup canned pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
For decorating (choose one or mix and match):
Royal icing (orange, black, green)
Melted chocolate (for details)
Edible markers
Sprinkles or sanding sugar (optional)
Tools You’ll Need
Mixing bowls
Electric mixer or stand mixer
Rolling pin
Pumpkin-shaped cookie cutters
Baking sheets
Parchment paper or silicone baking mats
Cooling racks
Icing bags or small piping bags for decorating
Toothpicks or skewers (for face detailing)
Additions & Substitutions
Pumpkin Pie Spice: Replace all individual spices with 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice.
Brown Butter: Brown the butter first for a deep, nutty flavor.
Dairy-Free: Use plant-based butter and egg replacer.
Gluten-Free: Substitute 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
Chocolate Chips: Stir mini chips into the dough for chocolate lovers!
Maple Glaze: Instead of royal icing, use powdered sugar + maple syrup.
How to Make Jack-O’-Lantern Pumpkin Sugar Cookies
Preheat and prep
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.Mix dry ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and all the spices.Cream butter and sugars
In a large bowl, beat the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy—about 2–3 minutes.Add wet ingredients
Beat in the egg, vanilla, and pumpkin puree until fully combined. The mixture may look slightly curdled—don’t worry!Combine wet and dry
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet, mixing just until combined. Do not overmix.Chill dough (optional but helpful)
Chill dough for 30–60 minutes for easier rolling and better shape retention.Roll and cut
Lightly flour a surface and roll out dough to about ¼ inch thickness. Use pumpkin-shaped cutters to cut out cookies.Bake
Place cookies on prepared sheets, spacing about 2 inches apart. Bake for 8–10 minutes until edges are just starting to turn golden.Cool
Let cookies cool on the sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.Decorate!
Use royal icing or melted chocolate to create jack-o’-lantern faces. Let icing set before storing or stacking.
What to Serve with These Cookies
Hot apple cider or pumpkin spice lattes (homemade or store-bought)
Vanilla ice cream for cookie sandwiches
Whipped cream cheese dip with fall spices for cookie dunking
Festive Halloween drinks like black cherry punch or orange soda floats
Tips for Perfect Pumpkin Sugar Cookies
Don’t overbake! Pull them out when edges are just golden—they’ll firm up as they cool.
Make sure your pumpkin puree is not too watery. If needed, blot with a paper towel.
If cookies spread too much, chill the dough longer or use less butter.
For clean icing lines, use a small piping tip or snip a tiny corner of a zip-top bag.
Want glossy icing? Add a bit of corn syrup to your royal icing mix.
Storage Instructions
Room temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Refrigerator: Decorated cookies will last up to a week.
Freezer: Freeze un-iced cookies for up to 3 months. Thaw and decorate fresh!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fresh pumpkin instead of canned?
Yes! Just make sure it’s very well-drained and puréed smooth. Homemade puree tends to hold more water, so blotting is key.
Do I have to decorate them?
Not at all. These cookies are delicious plain or with just a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar on top before baking.
Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely. These freeze beautifully, so doubling is a smart move for party prep.
Is the dough safe to eat raw?
Technically no, since it contains raw egg and flour. But you can use pasteurized egg and heat-treated flour to make it edible for snacking!
Wrapping It Up: A Cookie You’ll Bake Every October!
These Jack-O’-Lantern Pumpkin Sugar Cookies are the perfect blend of cute, cozy, and crave-worthy. Whether you’re planning a Halloween bash, baking with the kiddos, or just love collecting seasonal cookie cutters like me, this recipe is a must-bake. The dough is easy to work with, the cookies are packed with flavor, and the decorating possibilities are endless.
And hey—don’t wait until next Halloween to try them again. Switch up the cutter shape, tweak the spices, and use this base dough for everything from Thanksgiving turkeys to Christmas trees. That’s baking magic!
More Pumpkin and Halloween Recipes You’ll Love
Spiced Pumpkin Bread with Brown Butter Glaze
Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins
Chocolate Dipped Halloween Pretzels
Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes with Gingersnap Crust
Let’s Keep Baking Together!
If you make these Jack-O’-Lantern Pumpkin Sugar Cookies, I’d love to see them! Share your spooky designs and cookie artistry on Pinterest or tag me on Instagram. You can also drop a comment below with your favorite decoration idea or any questions you have!
Nutritional Info (per cookie, approx.)
Calories: 165
Fat: 7g
Carbs: 23g
Sugar: 13g
Protein: 2g
Fiber: 1g
Not bad for a treat that looks as good as it tastes, right?
Happy baking and Happy Halloween! 🎃