Description
These adorable Pumpkin Patch Cookies are perfect for Halloween celebrations, featuring a creamy peanut butter cookie base topped with colorful chocolate-coated Oreos and festive sprinkles. With a soft and chewy texture combined with a fun, decorative twist, these cookies make an eye-catching and delicious treat for parties and gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp cornstarch
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ÂĽ tsp baking powder
- â…› tsp fine sea salt
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- Âľ cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Toppings and Decorations
- Purple gel food coloring (or any color of choice)
- Halloween sprinkles or purple sanding sugar
- 33 Hershey’s Hugs or Kisses, unwrapped
- 2–3 Oreos, crushed for crumbs
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, baking powder, and sea salt. In another bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, peanut butter, and vanilla extract until fully combined. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined to form a smooth cookie dough.
- Shape and Bake Cookies: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Using a spoon or cookie scoop, form 33 evenly sized dough balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for approximately 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set and the cookies are lightly golden.
- Melt and Color Chocolate: While the cookies bake, gently melt the Hershey’s Hugs or Kisses in a microwave-safe bowl in 20-second intervals, stirring between each until completely smooth. Add orange gel food coloring to the melted chocolate and mix thoroughly until you achieve your desired pumpkin orange color.
- Coat the Oreos: Crush 2-3 Oreos into fine crumbs and set aside. Dip each unwrapped Oreo into the colored melted chocolate, ensuring an even coat, then place them onto the parchment-lined baking sheet. Immediately sprinkle the crushed Oreo crumbs and Halloween sprinkles or sanding sugar over the coated Oreos before the chocolate sets.
- Assemble the Pumpkin Patch Cookies: Once cookies have cooled, gently press a decorated, chocolate-coated Oreo onto the center of each cookie to resemble a pumpkin on the patch.
- Chill and Set: Place the assembled cookies in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes to allow the chocolate to fully harden before serving.
Notes
- Softened butter allows for better creaming with sugar, resulting in a tender cookie texture.
- Use gel food coloring over liquid to avoid thinning the chocolate coating.
- Ensure Oreos are unwrapped before dipping for a clean chocolate coating.
- Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
- For a nut-free version, substitute creamy peanut butter with sunflower seed butter.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
