Iced pumpkin cookies are a delicious seasonal treat that combines the flavors of pumpkin with a sweet, soft cookie texture. They’re often enjoyed around autumn, especially during Halloween and Thanksgiving. Here’s a basic idea of what they are:
- Cookie Base: The cookie dough usually includes pumpkin puree, which makes the cookies soft and moist. Common spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves are used to give them a warm, spicy flavor.
- Icing: The cookies are topped with a sweet glaze or icing, which can be made from powdered sugar, milk, and sometimes a bit of vanilla extract. The icing is usually spread on top after the cookies have cooled.
- Decorations: Some variations might include additional decorations, like sprinkles or edible glitter, to make them more festive.
Here’s a recipe for Iced Pumpkin Cookies:
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp ground cloves
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Icing:
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 2-3 tbsp milk
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Prepare the Cookie Dough:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt.
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the egg, then mix in the pumpkin puree and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Shape and Bake:
- Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the cookies are set and lightly golden around the edges.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare the Icing:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and spreadable. If the icing is too thick, add a bit more milk; if too thin, add more powdered sugar.
- Ice the Cookies:
- Once the cookies are completely cooled, spread a layer of icing on top of each cookie.
- Allow the icing to set before serving.
Enjoy your iced pumpkin cookies! They’re perfect with a cup of tea or coffee.