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Vertical picture of Pumpkin Shortbread Cookies on a cooling rack on a black background

Pumpkin Shortbread Cookies

Need a delicious, sweet snack for a autumn party or a Halloween celebration? These Pumpkin Shortbread Cookies are the perfect, delicious solution!
Course Cookies, Dessert
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 36
Calories 127 kcal
Author Chris Scheuer

Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter softened
  • ⅔ cup brown sugar
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup Demerara or Turbinado sugar*
  • candy pumpkins
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  1. Combine butter, brown sugar and vanilla extract in the bowl of an electric mixer. Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until creamy. Add flour, pumpkin pie spice and salt. Beat at low speed, scraping bowl often, until well mixed. Cover; refrigerate until firm, about 45 minutes.
  2. Heat oven to 350°F. Line two sheet pans with parchment paper. Place Demerara sugar in a large shallow bowl.
  3. Shape dough into 1-inch balls**. Roll dough balls in Demerara sugar and place them 2 inches apart on prepared sheet pans.
  4. Bake 14-18 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Remove from oven and immediately, place a candy pumpkin in the center of each cookie. Press down gently, as far as you can. If cookie cracks when inserting pumpkin, just push it back together and hold in place for 2-3 seconds. Cool completely.

Recipe Notes

* Demerara sugar is large grained raw sugar. It has a crunchy texture and adds a shimmery look to cookies, cakes and other desserts. You'll find it in most larger grocery stores in the sugar section or it can be ordered online. Turbinado sugar is similar and could also be used.
**I use a 1 ½ tablespoon cookie scoop to scoop up the dough. It's an easy way to keep the cookies a uniform size. You can also weigh the dough. Mine were about 20g.

Nutrition Facts
Pumpkin Shortbread Cookies
Amount Per Serving
Calories 127 Calories from Fat 45
% Daily Value*
Fat 5g8%
Saturated Fat 3g19%
Cholesterol 13mg4%
Sodium 78mg3%
Potassium 14mg0%
Carbohydrates 19g6%
Fiber 0g0%
Sugar 6g7%
Protein 0g0%
Vitamin A 160IU3%
Calcium 7mg1%
Iron 0.4mg2%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.