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.
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.