Orange Sugar Cookie Pumpkins

Orange Sugar Cookie Pumpkins – Easy Halloween Treats

Byrecipesprep6@gmail.com

If you’re searching for the ultimate Orange Sugar Cookie Pumpkins, you’re in the right place. These adorable pumpkin-shaped treats combine the best of classic cut-out sugar cookies with festive Halloween decorating fun. They’re crisp around the edges, soft in the center, and coated with sparkly orange sugar that makes them shine on any dessert table.

This easy Halloween cookie recipe is not just kid-friendly but also perfect for parties, school events, or cozy baking afternoons at home. The best part? You can customize them with icing, sprinkles, or keep them simple with sanding sugar for that sparkly pumpkin finish.

Whether you’re new to Halloween cookie decorating ideas or already a pro, this recipe is straightforward, fun, and delicious. By the end of this post, you’ll have step-by-step instructions, decorating tips, storage tricks, and plenty of inspiration for your next Halloween baking session.

If you love festive cut-outs, you’ll also enjoy my Classic Christmas Sugar Cookies for the holidays.

Why You’ll Love These Pumpkin-Shaped Sugar Cookies

Festive and Fun – A simple way to bring fall and Halloween vibes into your kitchen.

Customizable – Use sparkly sanding sugar, royal icing, or chocolate drizzle.

Kid-Friendly – Perfect for little helpers who want to decorate their own pumpkins.

Make-Ahead Friendly – You can refrigerate or freeze the dough.

These pumpkin-shaped sugar cookies are foolproof yet impressive, making them ideal for busy bakers who still want a Pinterest-worthy treat.

Ingredients You’ll Need

To make your own batch of Orange Sugar Cookie Pumpkins, gather these pantry staples:

  • 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional, but adds flavor depth)
  • Orange sanding sugar or orange food coloring with white sugar
  • Green icing or melted candy melts for pumpkin stems

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.

In a separate large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add in the egg, vanilla, and almond extract. Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until the dough comes together.

Step 2: Chill the Dough

Shape the dough into a disc, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. This helps prevent spreading and makes rolling easier.

Step 3: Cut Out the Pumpkins

On a floured surface, roll the dough to about ¼-inch thick. Use a pumpkin-shaped cookie cutter to cut out shapes. Transfer cookies to a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Pro Tip: For sparkly pumpkin cookies, sprinkle orange sanding sugar over the dough cut-outs before baking.

Step 4: Bake

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Let cool on the sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.

Step 5: Decorate

Once cooled, decorate with green icing for stems or go big with royal icing for detailed pumpkin designs.

Decorating Ideas for Halloween Pumpkin Cookies

Decorating is where these Halloween pumpkin cookies shine. You can keep it simple with sanding sugar, or get creative with more detailed icing work.

  • Classic Sparkly Pumpkins – Just orange sanding sugar and a green stem
  • Jack-O’-Lantern Faces – Use black icing or edible marker to draw faces
  • Glam Pumpkins – Mix gold sugar sprinkles with orange for extra sparkle
  • Colorful Pumpkins – Swap orange for purple, teal, or white sanding sugar

No matter which you choose, these sparkly pumpkin cookies are guaranteed to be show-stoppers.

Tips for the Best Cut-Out Sugar Cookies

Roll dough evenly to avoid uneven baking.

Don’t skip chilling. Cold dough holds its shape best.

If baking multiple trays, rotate pans halfway for even cooking.

Let cookies fully cool before decorating to avoid melted icing.

These little tricks make all the difference in getting bakery-style cut-out sugar cookies at home.

Storage and Make-Ahead Instructions

Room Temperature: Store decorated cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Freezing: Freeze unbaked cut-outs or baked cookies without icing for up to 3 months.

Drying Icing: If decorated with royal icing, allow at least 4 hours drying time before stacking.

Perfect if you want to prep for Halloween week without last-minute stress.

FAQs

Q: Can I make the cookie dough ahead of time?
Yes! You can refrigerate the dough overnight or freeze it for up to 3 months. Just thaw in the fridge before rolling and baking.

Q: How do I keep the cookies from spreading while baking?
Chill the cut-out cookies on the baking sheet for 15 minutes before baking. This helps them hold their pumpkin shape.

Q: Can I use homemade icing instead of store-bought?
Absolutely! Royal icing or a simple powdered sugar glaze works well if you prefer a homemade option.

Q: How long do decorated cookies take to dry?
Let the icing dry for at least 4 hours before storing to avoid smudging or sticking.

Related Recipes You’ll Love

If you loved these Orange Sugar Cookie Pumpkins, try these festive recipes next:

  • Sparkly Halloween Bat Cookies
  • Easy Ghost Meringues
  • Classic Christmas Sugar Cookies

Conclusion

These Orange Sugar Cookie Pumpkins are more than just cookies. They’re an activity, a treat, and a seasonal tradition all rolled into one. With their fun pumpkin shapes, customizable decorations, and make-ahead convenience, they’re bound to become a yearly favorite.

Grab your rolling pin, some orange sugar, and a little creativity. You’re about to make the cutest Halloween pumpkin cookies on the block.