Description
Delight in these Pumpkin Spice Cutouts, soft and flavorful cookies infused with warm fall spices and pumpkin puree. Perfectly cut into festive shapes, these cookies are ideal for holiday celebrations or cozy autumn afternoons, with optional royal icing or powdered sugar decorating to add a sweet finishing touch.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
Wet Ingredients
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional
- Royal icing or powdered sugar for decorating
Instructions
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and all the spices until evenly combined to create the flavorful base for the dough.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, which ensures a tender cookie texture.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg, pumpkin puree, and vanilla extract until the mixture is fully combined and smooth.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet mixture, stirring gently until a soft dough forms, taking care not to overmix.
- Chill Dough: Divide the dough into two portions, wrap each in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm up for easier rolling and cutting.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Sheets: Heat the oven to 350°F (177°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Roll and Cut Dough: Roll out one portion of chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to approximately 1/4-inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out your desired shapes and transfer them carefully to the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the cutout cookies for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges are lightly golden, indicating they are perfectly baked without losing softness in the center.
- Cool Cookies: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely, which prevents sogginess.
- Decorate: Once cooled, decorate the cookies with royal icing or sprinkle with powdered sugar as desired for a festive and sweet finish.
Notes
- For a more pronounced pumpkin flavor, add 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice along with the other spices.
- The dough can be frozen for up to 2 months before baking; thaw and chill again before rolling.
- Ensure dough is well chilled for best rolling and cutting results.
