Milk Chocolate Stuffed Jack-o-lantern Cookies are the perfect Halloween treat, offering a combination of soft, chewy cookie dough filled with a luscious milk chocolate center. The cookie dough is spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, giving it a warm and comforting fall flavor. After baking, these cookies are transformed into spooky jack-o-lanterns with orange and black icing, making them ideal for any Halloween celebration. Whether you're hosting a party or looking for a fun baking project, these cookies are sure to be a hit!
INGREDIENTS
- Unsalted butter: 1 cup, softened for a rich and chewy cookie base.
- Granulated sugar: 1 cup, adds sweetness and helps the cookies achieve a tender texture.
- Brown sugar: 1 cup, packed, adds a deeper flavor and moisture to the cookies.
- Eggs: 2 large, to bind the dough and add richness.
- Vanilla extract: 1 tsp, for flavor.
- All-purpose flour: 3½ cups, to form the cookie dough base.
- Baking powder: 1 tsp, for leavening.
- Baking soda: ½ tsp, helps the cookies spread evenly.
- Salt: ½ tsp, to balance the sweetness.
- Cinnamon: ½ tsp, for a warm, spiced flavor.
- Nutmeg: ½ tsp, adds depth to the spiced flavor profile.
- Milk chocolate chips or chunks: ½ cup for the dough, and 1 cup for the chocolate filling.
- Orange and black icing: for decorating the cookies with spooky jack-o-lantern faces.
INSTRUCTIONS
- Step 1:
- Cream together 1 cup softened butter, 1 cup granulated sugar, and 1 cup packed brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Step 2:
- Add 2 eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in 1 tsp vanilla extract.
- Step 3:
- In a separate bowl, whisk together 3½ cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp baking powder, ½ tsp baking soda, ½ tsp salt, ½ tsp cinnamon, and ½ tsp nutmeg. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir until just combined.
- Step 4:
- Melt 1 cup milk chocolate chips in the microwave, stirring every 20 seconds until smooth.
- Step 5:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Step 6:
- Take a tablespoon of cookie dough, flatten it into a disk, and place a small dollop of melted chocolate in the center. Cover with another disk of dough, sealing the edges to enclose the chocolate filling, and shape into a round cookie.
- Step 7:
- Place the filled cookies on the prepared baking sheets and bake for 10-12 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden.
- Step 8:
- Allow the cookies to cool on the sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Step 9:
- Once cooled, decorate the cookies with orange icing to create a jack-o-lantern face, and use black icing for the spooky features.
Serving and Storage Tips
- Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- These cookies are best served with a glass of milk for the ultimate Halloween treat!
Helpful Notes
- Chill the cookie dough for 30 minutes if it's too soft to handle, making it easier to shape and fill with chocolate.
Tips from Well-Known Chefs
- Chef Lucas suggests adding a pinch of cayenne pepper to the melted chocolate for a subtle spicy kick that complements the sweetness of the cookies.
How to Make the Perfect Jack-o-lantern Cookies
To make the perfect jack-o-lantern cookies, ensure the cookie dough is evenly flattened before adding the chocolate filling. Press the edges together firmly to prevent the chocolate from leaking during baking. For a more professional look, use piping bags for the orange and black icing to create clean lines for the jack-o-lantern faces.
FAQs
Can I use dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate?
Yes! You can substitute dark chocolate for milk chocolate if you prefer a richer, less sweet filling.
Do these cookies need to be refrigerated?
No, these cookies can be stored at room temperature, but you can refrigerate them if you'd like to keep them fresher for longer.