Pumpkin-Shaped Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing

Introduction

Nothing says fall and Halloween quite like Pumpkin-Shaped Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing. These cookies are the perfect combination of sweet, buttery sugar cookies and vibrant, artistic royal icing, making them both a delicious treat and a fun seasonal craft. Each cookie is a miniature pumpkin, ready to be decorated with bright orange hues, green stems, and playful Jack-O’-Lantern faces or intricate designs.

What makes this recipe truly special is how it blends baking and creativity. You don’t just make cookies—you create a festive masterpiece that looks like it belongs on a holiday dessert table. Kids and adults alike can join in the decorating process, making it a perfect activity for family gatherings, classroom parties, or Halloween celebrations.

Why I Love This Recipe

I love this recipe because it perfectly combines delicious baking with creative expression. The cookies themselves are buttery, soft, and slightly sweet, making them a perfect treat on their own. But what truly makes this recipe special is the royal icing—it allows you to turn each cookie into a miniature work of art.

Decorating these pumpkin-shaped cookies is fun and therapeutic. Whether you’re piping smooth orange pumpkins, adding green stems, or giving them whimsical Jack-O’-Lantern faces, it’s a chance to be creative in a hands-on way. I also love how this recipe brings people together—kids, family, and friends can all participate in decorating, making it a memorable activity as well as a delicious treat.

Finally, the finished cookies are visually stunning. They brighten up any dessert table, making them as much a feast for the eyes as for the taste buds. For me, it’s that combination of taste, artistry, and festive fun that makes this recipe an absolute favorite.

Why It’s a Must-Try Dish

Pumpkin-Shaped Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing are a must-try because they are fun, festive, and incredibly versatile.

1. Perfect for Halloween and Fall: They instantly bring a seasonal vibe, making your dessert table or party spread look festive and inviting.
2. Kid-Friendly and Interactive: Decorating allows children to join in, making baking a shared, hands-on experience.
3. Customizable Designs: You can make classic pumpkins, spooky Jack-O’-Lanterns, or elegant autumn-inspired designs, giving endless creative possibilities.
4. Delicious and Decorative: These cookies taste amazing while also doubling as décor for parties or gifts.
5. Impress Guests: Whether served at a Halloween party, school event, or family gathering, these cookies stand out as a show-stopping treat that everyone will remember.

Preparation and Cooking Time

• Preparation Time: 30 minutes (plus 1-hour chilling)
• Baking Time: 10–12 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes (including chilling and decorating)

Servings and Nutrition

• Servings: 24 cookies (depending on cookie cutter size)
• Calories: ~150 per cookie (varies by icing and cookie size)
• Course: Dessert / Snack
• Cuisine: American / Holiday-themed

Ingredients

For the Sugar Cookies:

• 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon almond extract (optional)

For the Royal Icing:

• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 3 tablespoons meringue powder
• 6–7 tablespoons water (adjust for consistency)
• Orange, green, black, and white gel food coloring

Step-by-Step Preparation

Step 1: Prepare the Cookie Dough

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
2. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in the egg, vanilla, and almond extract until well combined.
4. Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture until dough forms.

Step 2: Chill the Dough

1. Divide the dough into 2 disks, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Step 3: Roll and Cut

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Roll out dough on a floured surface to ¼-inch thickness.
3. Use a pumpkin-shaped cookie cutter to cut out shapes. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Step 4: Bake

1. Bake cookies for 10–12 minutes or until edges are lightly golden.
2. Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 5: Prepare Royal Icing

1. In a large bowl, combine powdered sugar, meringue powder, and water. Beat until smooth and glossy.
2. Divide icing into separate bowls and tint with gel food coloring (orange for pumpkin, green for stems, etc.).
3. Adjust consistency: thicker for outlining, thinner for flooding the cookie surface.

Step 6: Decorate the Cookies

1. Pipe an outline of the pumpkin on each cookie with orange icing.
2. Flood the inside with a thinner orange icing.
3. Add green stems and optional faces, lines, or accents using other colors.
4. Allow icing to dry completely, about 2–4 hours or overnight for best results.

How to Serve

Serve these cookies on a festive tray or package them in clear bags tied with a ribbon for gifts. They pair wonderfully with hot apple cider, pumpkin spice lattes, or milk.

Recipe Tips

• Use gel food coloring to prevent icing from becoming runny.
• Piping bags with small round tips give you more precision for stems and faces.
• Let cookies cool completely before icing to prevent melting.
• Drying time is essential for stacking or packaging to avoid smudging.

Variations

• Jack-O’-Lantern Faces: Use black icing to pipe fun or spooky faces.
• Autumn Leaves Theme: Add leaf-shaped cookies alongside pumpkins.
• Mini Pumpkins: Use a smaller cutter to make bite-sized cookies.
• Spiced Sugar Cookies: Add 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice for a seasonal flavor twist.

Freezing and Storage

• Storage: Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
• Freezing: Store un-iced cookies in freezer for up to 2 months. Decorate after thawing.

Special Equipment Needed

• Pumpkin-shaped cookie cutter
• Rolling pin
• Piping bags and tips
• Mixing bowls and spatulas
• Baking sheet and parchment paper

Conclusion

Pumpkin-Shaped Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing are a fun, festive, and delicious treat for fall and Halloween. They combine buttery sweetness with artistic flair, making them perfect for parties, gifts, or family baking projects. These cookies are eye-catching, customizable, and sure to delight both kids and adults.