Witch's Pumpkin Cookies

Name: Witch's Pumpkin Cookies
Prep time: 120 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 135 min
Yield: 32
Ingredients: Type 00 flour 2 ½ cups; Sugar ¾ cup; Butter 0.6 cup; Lemon peel 1; Eggs medium whole 1; Egg yolks 2; Pumpkin pulp 1 ¼ cup; Sugar ¼ cup; Water 0.42 cup; Lemon peel 1; Egg whites 2 tbsp; Powdered sugar 0.4 cup; Lemon juice to taste; Food coloring orange to taste

it de fr es br

Vegetarian

Difficulty: Average
Prep time: 2 h
Cook time: 15 min
Makes: 32 pieces
Cost: Low

PRESENTATION

Little witches, smiling pumpkins, and Halloween colors immediately stand out with Witch's Pumpkin Cookies—these Halloween cookies bring a special spark to any seasonal table or party treat tray. Soft, chewy, and filled with classic pumpkin flavors plus a fun twist, they create a simple, sweet spot in the world of pumpkin cookie recipes. For families who love adding a little magic to the October calendar (or just need a great Halloween dessert idea), these cookies bring joy. Kids absolutely adore the soft, slightly moist feeling in every bite, and the pretty treat shapes make them fun for everyone—pirate hats, pumpkins, or cauldrons, whatever style you pick, they’re always a conversation starter. Trick-or-treat parties or school celebrations work especially well for these Halloween treats, since each cookie looks so festive while tasting nice and pumpkin-rich at the same time. Busy home bakers also appreciate just how crowd-pleasing these can be, as they combine favorite seasonal flavors with a look that shouts Halloween…definitely a fun way to celebrate fall!

Since these rely on premade cookie dough recipes, families often find they can pull off scary dessert recipes that are actually friendly, easy, and reliable—good for busy days, late nights, or anytime fun is the goal. It's a huge relief not having to sacrifice delicious results for convenience, which matters most during packed fall schedules. Serve with cocoa at Halloween parties, slip one into a lunchbox as a surprise, pair with autumn drinks at your next gathering, or pile them onto a dessert board for a big group—pretty much ANYWHERE simple Halloween dessert ideas are needed, these fit the bill with versatile appeal. Parents love how they double up as both a special Halloween dessert idea and an inviting tray of spooky cookies for last-minute company. Every family ends up with their own take (witch hat, pumpkin, ghost—kids pick favorites), but everyone agrees the rich, moist, and gently sweet taste makes witch’s pumpkin cookies a stand-out part of any fall or Halloween collection. Home bakers keep coming back because they get easy, tasty, and super festive cookies—works every time, and always puts smiles on everyone’s face. (Truly DELICIOUS…worth making a little extra, just for late-night snacking!)

INGREDIENTS

Ingredients for the Shortcrust Pastry: Type 00 flour 2 ½ cups (300 g); Sugar ¾ cup (150 g); Butter 0.6 cup (125 g); Lemon peel 1; Eggs 1 - medium whole; Egg yolks 2

for the Filling: Pumpkin 1 ¼ cup (300 g) - pulp; Sugar ¼ cup (50 g); Water 0.42 cup (100 ml); Lemon peel 1

for the Glaze: Egg whites 2 tbsp (30 g); Powdered sugar 0.4 cup (50 g); Lemon juice to taste; Food coloring to taste - orange

Preparation

How to prepare Witch's Pumpkin Cookies

To prepare the witch's pumpkin cookies, start by preparing the shortcrust pastry: put the flour 1, sugar, grated lemon zest 2, and a pinch of salt in the bowl of a stand mixer. Mix the ingredients and then add the cold butter in pieces 3 and

finally the two yolks plus the whole egg 4, keeping the egg whites aside. Let the ingredients blend together and then move the dough onto a work surface 5 and shape into a block, wrap it in plastic wrap, and leave it in the fridge for about an hour 6.

Now prepare the filling: wash the pumpkin, peel it, and cut it into pieces 7. Put it in a saucepan with water and let it simmer covered 7. When the pumpkin starts to break down, add the sugar and grated lemon zest 9. Let it cook until the pumpkin takes on a bright color (about 20 minutes) and becomes almost creamy.

Pass the obtained mixture through a food mill 10 and set it aside in a bowl to cool. Roll out a strip of shortcrust pastry about 8 inches wide and 1/5 inch thick 11. Transfer the filling into a piping bag and fill your cookies, placing dollops of filling on the pastry 12.

Brush around the filling dollops with the egg white 13 to help the pastry stick and fold the pastry over the other half 14. Press between the spaces to adhere everything well 15.

Form the cookies by cutting them with a 2-inch round cutter 16 and place them on a baking tray lined with parchment paper 17. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for 30 minutes and when the cookies are ready, let them cool on a wire rack 18.

While the cookies are baking, prepare the glaze: beat the egg white and when it is semi-whipped, add the powdered sugar one tablespoon at a time and a few drops of lemon. Lastly, add the food coloring 19 until you achieve the desired color 20. Continue whipping until you obtain a firm and shiny glaze, transfer it into a piping bag, and decorate your witch's pumpkin cookies. You can make lines to resemble a small round pumpkin 21 or, as in the presentation photo, make scary faces typical of Halloween! And here are your witch's pumpkin cookies ready!

Storage

Store the witch's pumpkin cookies in a tin box for 4-5 days

Curiosity

These cookies, especially in America, are made during the Halloween period with the classic pumpkin shape.

Advice

For a less sweet filling, reduce the amount of sugar. For a more flavored filling, add a few drops of Marsala. For a flavor explosion, add 3.5 oz of raisins: soak them in warm water, dry them well, and mix them with the pumpkin along with the lemon to caramelize them.

Discover all our pumpkin recipes for Halloween to create a different menu each time!

For the translation of some texts, artificial intelligence tools may have been used.