Milk Chocolate Stuffed Jack-O-Lantern Cookies Halloween

For Decorating:

• Black or orange icing (for jack-o-lantern faces)
• Candy eyes (optional for extra spookiness)
• Additional chocolate chips or icing (for extra decorations, if desired)

How to Make Milk Chocolate Stuffed Jack-O-Lantern Cookies

Creating these Halloween-themed treats is a fun and easy process. Follow these simple steps to make your own Milk Chocolate Stuffed Jack-O-Lantern Cookies:

Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to ensure that your cookies don’t stick and bake evenly.

Step 2: Prepare the Cookie Dough

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to cream together the butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy—about 2-3 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla extract and continue mixing until well combined.

If you’d like your cookies to have a vibrant pumpkin color, add a few drops of orange food coloring to the dough and mix until the color is evenly distributed. If the dough feels too thick or crumbly, add a tablespoon of milk to help bring it together.

Step 3: Shape the Cookies

Once the dough is ready, use a tablespoon or cookie scoop to form small dough balls—about 1 to 1 ½ inches in size. Gently flatten each ball into a disc shape, then use your hands to form it into a small, round pumpkin shape.

Step 4: Stuff the Cookies with Milk Chocolate

Create an indent in the center of half of the dough discs, then fill each indent with 1 teaspoon of milk chocolate chips. Place a second dough disc on top of the filled one and pinch the edges together to seal in the chocolate. Gently shape the dough to make sure the chocolate is fully encased.

Step 5: Bake the Cookies

Place the stuffed cookie dough balls onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Use a fork or a small knife to lightly score the top of each cookie to give the appearance of pumpkin ribs.

Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Be careful not to overbake, as you want them to stay soft on the inside where the chocolate is melted.

Once done, remove from the oven and allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 6: Decorate the Cookies

Once the cookies have cooled, it’s time to get creative with the decorations! Use black icing to draw jack-o-lantern faces on the cookies—either simple triangle eyes and a jagged mouth or go wild with your own spooky designs. If you prefer, you can also use candy eyes for an extra touch of fun. You can also drizzle more melted chocolate over the top for added texture and flavor.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Once decorated, your Milk Chocolate Stuffed Jack-O-Lantern Cookies are ready to be enjoyed! Serve them at your Halloween party, pack them into treat bags for friends, or simply enjoy them with a glass of milk.

Tips for Perfect Milk Chocolate Stuffed Jack-O-Lantern Cookies

1. Chill the Dough: If the dough feels too soft or sticky, chill it in the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes before shaping. This helps the cookies hold their shape while baking and prevents the chocolate from leaking out.
2. Melt the Chocolate Carefully: If you want a gooey, melted chocolate center, melt the milk chocolate and heavy cream together in the microwave or using a double boiler. Allow the mixture to cool slightly before stuffing the cookies to prevent it from being too hot and running out.
3. Create Fun Faces: Get creative with your jack-o-lantern faces! Use sprinkles, candy, or even a little green icing to add leaves to the top of your pumpkin cookies for an extra festive touch.
4. Experiment with Fillings: If you love dark chocolate or peanut butter, feel free to swap out the milk chocolate chips for your favorite fillings. Mini Reese’s peanut butter cups or chopped Snickers would make great alternatives.

Why This Recipe Works

• Milk Chocolate Center: The gooey, melted chocolate center adds a sweet and indulgent surprise to each bite, creating a delicious contrast to the soft, buttery cookie dough.
• Fun Pumpkin Shape: The pumpkin-shaped cookies are not only visually appealing but also easy to make. Kids (and adults!) will love the playful design.
• Perfect for Halloween: With their vibrant orange color and spooky faces, these cookies are the ultimate Halloween treat, sure to be a hit at any party or gathering.

Conclusion

Milk Chocolate Stuffed Jack-O-Lantern Cookies are the perfect way to add a little spooky fun to your Halloween celebrations. With their cute pumpkin shapes, chocolate-filled centers, and endless decorating possibilities, they’re sure to be a hit with both kids and adults. Whether you’re baking for a party, a bake sale, or just for some Halloween-inspired snacking, these cookies are as delightful to make as they are to eat. So grab your apron, preheat the oven, and get ready to enjoy a batch of these sweet, spooky treats!