Rating: 3.59
(119)

Jack-O’-Lantern Sandwich Cookies

October 28, 2024

Jack-O’-Lantern Sandwich Cookies are a festive and fun Halloween treat that combines buttery, tender cookies with a sweet, creamy filling. Shaped like classic carved pumpkins, these cookies bring all the charm of jack-o’-lanterns to your dessert table. Perfect for parties, gifting, or a spooky baking day at home, they’re as delightful to make as they are to eat.

These cookies start with a soft, buttery dough that’s easy to roll out and cut into pumpkin shapes. Half of the cookies have jack-o’-lantern faces cut out to create the signature look, while the other half remain solid to hold the filling. The faces can be simple triangles for eyes and a smile, or you can get creative with spooky, silly, or surprised expressions.

Once baked to a light golden color, the cookies are sandwiched together with a filling that’s sweet and creamy. Popular choices include vanilla buttercream, orange-tinted frosting, cream cheese filling, or even a smooth layer of chocolate or jam for a fun flavor twist. The filling peeks through the jack-o’-lantern faces, adding both color and a playful touch to every bite.

Decorating is where the real fun happens. You can tint the cookie dough orange using food coloring or leave it natural for a classic look. A dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of icing can add extra flair. These cookies look great arranged on a party platter, wrapped up as Halloween favors, or served alongside other festive treats like cupcakes and candies.

Not only are Jack-O’-Lantern Sandwich Cookies adorable, but they’re also delicious. The buttery, melt-in-your-mouth cookies pair perfectly with the creamy filling, making them irresistible to both kids and adults. They offer the perfect combination of festive fun and homemade charm, turning a simple cookie into a Halloween centerpiece.

Jack-O'-Lantern Sandwich Cookies
Jack-O’-Lantern Sandwich Cookies
3.59 from 119 votes
Delicious and festive Jack-O’-Lantern sandwich cookies perfect for Halloween. These cookies are a fun treat that combines buttery cookie layers with a sweet, creamy filling.
Servings 1 people
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour plus more for dusting
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup cream cheese softened
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • Orange food coloring
  • 1 teaspoon milk

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  • In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
  • Mix in the vanilla extract and egg until well combined.
  • Gradually add flour, baking powder, and salt, mixing until a dough forms.
  • Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface, about 1/4 inch thick.
  • Cut out cookies using a pumpkin-shaped cookie cutter. Use a knife to carve Jack-O’-Lantern faces into half of the cookies.
  • Place cookies on prepared baking sheets and bake for 8-10 minutes or until edges are lightly golden. Cool completely.
  • To make the filling, beat the cream cheese until smooth, then gradually add powdered sugar until combined.
  • Mix in a few drops of orange food coloring and milk until desired consistency and color are reached.
  • Spread the filling on the flat side of each non-carved cookie. Top with a carved cookie to create a sandwich.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 145kcalCarbohydrates: 21gProtein: 1gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 3.5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 1.5gCholesterol: 23mgSodium: 35mgPotassium: 15mgSugar: 14gVitamin A: 200IUCalcium: 10mgIron: 0.5mg
Calories: 145kcal
Meal Type: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: baking, cookies, Halloween
Cooking Method: Baked
Diet: Nut-free
Time: 30-45 Min
Level: Easy
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Join the Conversation
  1. User avatar Dr. Drew Wintheiser says:

    2 stars
    I dunno, cookies with faces on ’em? Seems weird to me. But hey, each to their own! 🤷‍♂️

    1. User avatar Miss Lyndsay Steuber says:

      5 stars
      I actually think they’re super cute! The kids will love them. 😍

  2. 3 stars
    I tried this recipe but forgot the milk in the filling. Still tasted ok but not so pretty.

  3. 5 stars
    These are super cute! My kids loved making them. We had a blast! 🎃

  4. 2 stars
    Just ok. My filling was too runny. 🤮

    1. 4 stars
      Oh no! Sounds like the filling might have been too runny because the cream cheese wasn’t beaten enough or the powdered sugar wasn’t added slowly. I’m sure you can fix it next time!

    2. 3 stars
      Eww, that does sound gross! But have you tried chilling the filling before using it? It might help. 🤷‍♂️

  5. User avatar reid.baumbach53 says:

    3 stars
    I don’t get why you need food coloring. Can’t they just be regular color? 🤔

  6. User avatar stacey.luettgen2 says:

    3 stars
    Tastes great, but my cookies didn’t look anything like the picture. More practice needed, I guess!

  7. 5 stars
    These cookies are adorable and taste amazing! My kids loved helping with the faces. Will make again for Halloween!

  8. User avatar bianca.moen36 says:

    3 stars
    These taste okay, but I expected more pumpkin flavor. What’s the point of pumpkin cookies if you don’t use real pumpkin?

    1. 4 stars
      I totally get you! Real pumpkin would definitely enhance the flavor. I’ve tried recipes with actual pumpkin, and they’re way better. Next time, maybe add some canned pumpkin puree?

    2. User avatar arturo.kling1953 says:

      2 stars
      Who needs real pumpkin? These cookies are sweet enough as is! Plus, pumpkin spice is the important part, right? Just enjoy them!

  9. User avatar minh.dicki70 says:

    5 stars
    These were SUCH a fun Halloween project. The pumpkin cutter plus the faces made them look way more impressive than my actual carving skills 😅 The filling tasted like sweet cream cheese icing—would definitely make again.

  10. User avatar owen.prosacco1962 says:

    5 stars
    THese r the best!! I made them last year. Everyone loved them. Will do it again for sure!

  11. 4 stars
    In the instructions, it says to carve faces. Do you carve pumpkins too? Lol.

  12. User avatar Blue Dartwing says:

    5 stars
    Yum! Just made a batch, and they’re the best cookies ever! 🥳

  13. 5 stars
    These cookies are adorable! My kids loved making them for Halloween. Will definitely make again! 🎃

    1. 5 stars
      I’m so glad to hear that! These cookies are super fun to make, especially with kids. 🎃🍪

  14. 5 stars
    Easy to follow! Just made these for our Halloween party. They turned out perfect! 🎃

  15. User avatar Grunthos the Flatulent says:

    5 stars
    Yum yum yum! Will be making these every year! 👏🧡

  16. User avatar galina.heidenreich39 says:

    1 star
    I don’t get why you need orange food coloring. I mean, cookies are supposed to be brown, right?

  17. 5 stars
    Yummy! Would love to try these with chocolate filling next time!

  18. User avatar ollie.graham says:

    4 stars
    I used chocolate chip instead of cream cheese. Still yummy! 😋

    1. User avatar brittanie.murray says:

      4 stars
      Chocolate chips? That’s different! But I bet it still tastes great. Who needs cream cheese anyway?

  19. User avatar millard.feil3 says:

    2 stars
    idk if I like orange in cookies, seems weird. lol.

  20. User avatar del.mann1977 says:

    1 star
    Why do they call them Jack-O’-Lanterns? They don’t even have eyes! 🤔

    1. User avatar rhona.auer1951 says:

      4 stars
      Haha, right? Maybe they should call them Jack-O’-Biscuit! 😄

    2. User avatar kira.ebert17 says:

      5 stars
      I think they call them that because of the lanterns in Halloween lore. It’s just an old tradition! But yeah, no actual eyes! 🤷‍♀️

  21. User avatar fredrick.jones1984 says:

    2 stars
    Too much butter, I think. The cookies were greasy. Next time, I will lessen the butter, maybe?

    1. User avatar adelaide.zieme says:

      4 stars
      I totally get it! Butter can be tricky. I usually just use a bit less too. It helps a lot!

    2. 3 stars
      Nah, it’s fine! A little grease just means they’re richer! More butter, more flavor, right? 😄

  22. 4 stars
    So cute! But I think real pumpkins are better for carving than cookies.

  23. User avatar cordell.jacobs says:

    1 star
    Aint nobody got time for this! Just buy cookies at the store.

  24. User avatar leigha.runolfsson says:

    4 stars
    Great recipe! But I added chocolate chips too, just because. It turned out super delicious!

  25. User avatar quincy.durgan25 says:

    3 stars
    Too sweet for my taste, but they look festive. Not my fave.

  26. User avatar lindsey.aufderhar46 says:

    3 stars
    Good recipe, but why does everyone insist on using butter? Margarine is just as good!

  27. 5 stars
    This recipe is fab! I made them for my kids and they loved it!

    1. User avatar carmen.mckenzie17 says:

      5 stars
      That’s awesome! I’m glad your kids loved them! They look so cute!

  28. User avatar rayford.hand45 says:

    3 stars
    Is it really necessary to use cream cheese? Can’t I just use regular frosting?

  29. User avatar danyelle.torphy1989 says:

    2 stars
    Tasted great but my cookies flattened out. What did I do wrong? 😩

  30. User avatar deeanna.abernathy43 says:

    5 stars
    10/10 would recommend to anyone who loves cookies!

    1. 5 stars
      I can’t believe how good these turned out! My kids loved making them, too!

3.59 from 119 votes
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