P is for Pumpkin Sugar Cookies

These Pumpkin Sugar Cookies are Boo-tiful (sorry couldn't miss the opportunity!). If you are looking for a simple Halloween or Autumn treat that the kids can help with, then try these.

The pumpkin flavour is subtle so even your fussiest eaters should be happy with these cookies.  I deliberately kept the spices to a minimum to suit Bear's and Bee's tastes.  You might like to use a little more cinnamon or add some nutmeg too.

The colour of the dough will be paler after baking so you may want to add a few drops of orange food colouring to enhance the pumpkin-y-ness of the baked cookies.

For this recipe I adapted the Basic Sugar Cookie recipe from Martha Stewart.

Bear cutting out shapes.

Bear decorating cooled cookies.

Pumpkin Sugar Cookies

Makes approximately 30 depending on size of cookies.
 
Ingredients
3 cups plain (all purpose) flour, plus extra for rolling
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
1 (220g) cup sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup pumpkin puree
Icing in various colours to decorate

Directions
1. In a large bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon.
2. Use an electric mixer to cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in egg and vanilla.
4. Add pumpkin puree and mix well.
5. With the mixer on low speed, gradually add flour mixture.
6. Mix until combined.
7. Divide dough in half and flatten into disks.
8. Wrap each disk in plastic wrap and freeze until firm.
9. Preheat oven to 160°C and line 2 baking trays with non-stick baking paper.
10. Remove one disk of dough from freezer and let stand for 5 minutes.
11. On a floured surface, roll out dough to approx 0.5 cm.
12. Cut out shapes with cookie cutters.  Make sure you dip the cutters in flour to help stop them sticking.
13. Use a spatula to transfer the shapes to a prepared tray.
14. Reroll dough scraps and cut more shapes.
15. Repeat with remaining dough.
16. Bake until edges are golden. Depending on the size of the cookies this should take 10-18 minutes.
17. Cool cookies on a wire rack before decorating with icing.

You can download a printable recipe card for this recipe from here.

H is for Halloween Cooking with Kids

Halloween is certainly gaining momentum as an event to celebrate here in Australia.  More and more children are dressing up, going trick or treating and having halloween themed parties.

Bear and Bee have been interested in Halloween for a few years now.  Where we used to live, many of the families in the neighbourhood would walk around as a group trick or treating.  Bear and Bee loved to dress up and stand at the front door ready to hand out the treats.

This year we are in a new neighbourhood without many young children so I have been planning a simple Halloween party for the girls and their cousin.  I have another post coming up with some of the snacks we are making for the party.

Getting the kids involved in the planning and prep for any party is a great way to reduce stress and your workload.  Choose some simple decorations that the whole family can help create this week.

Check out our Halloween Pinterest board for decoration ideas.



As for the food, I have rounded up some great posts on Halloween suitable recipes that your children can help make.

Pastry Wands by the threefootcooks

Incy Wincy Spiders here on threefootcooks

Dirt Cup Treats over at Juggling with Kids

Bone Yard Breadsticks from Crystal's Tiny Treasures.

Halloween Monster Cupcakes over at Kitchen Counter Chronicles.

Spooky Orange Faces with Danya Banya.

Frankenstein and Zombie Cookies with Life at the Zoo.

Mini Pumpkin Quesadillas from Crafty Morning

Witch's Hat from No Time For Flash Cards

Halloween Bark with Family Food and Travel

Happy Pumpkins over at Kiddie Foodies

Mummy Pizza at The Joys of Boys

Ghost Toast and Witch's Brew with Imprints from Tricia


We hope you and your children have fun making these for Halloween. BOO :o