Shortbread Pumpkin Cookies

Are you looking for a great fall cookie? Look no further! These have become my favorite and I’m already thinking of how I can put a spin on these to use for Christmas. Yes-they are that good!

These would be great for a Halloween party, a harvest party or an alternative to pie at Thanksgiving. I packaged 2 of these cookies per bag for my daughter’s 4-H bake sale. They sold out!

Shortbread cookie with a hint of pumpkin...delicious!

Just a simple shortbread cookie with a pumpkin twist to make it feel like fall. I’m not sure if it was the slight crunch on the outside with the soft inside that got me hooked. Maybe it was the addition of the pumpkin pie spice. Whatever the reason, these have become a staple at my house.

Shortbread Pumpkin Cookies

YIELD: 13 dozen

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened

• 2/3 cup brown sugar

• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

• 2 cups all purpose flour

• 1 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1/2 cup sugar, for rolling dough balls, see notes below

• 36 candy pumpkins, optional

• nonpareils, optional

Directions

1. Combine the butter, brown sugar and vanilla extract and beat on medium speed, until creamy, using an electric mixer.

2. Add flour, pumpkin pie spice and salt. Beat on low speed until well mixed. Cover and refrigerate for about 30 minutes or until firm.

3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place the sugar and/or nonpareils into a bowl. Shape the dough into 1" balls.

4. Roll the dough balls in the sugar and/or nonpareils. Place them approximately 2" apart on a non-greased cookie sheet.

5. Bake 14-16 minutes or until the edges of the cookie are lightly browned. Remove from oven and place a candy pumpkin in the center of each cookie. Allow to cool on the pan for 2-3 minutes, then place on newspaper to cool completely.

NOTES: You may use colored sugar to roll the dough (like I did), for a more festive appearance. If you prefer, you can use plain white sugar. To add a bit of shimmer on your cookie, you may use demerara sugar, which is a larger grain sugar. Turbinado sugar, with it's light hint of caramel flavor, would be a great alternative too!