These pumpkin gingerbread halloween cookies are perfect for decorating with kids… as long as they are not too squeamish, ha! Traditional gingerbread with a little pumpkin too, and you can decorate as gruesomely as you like. I’m deep into The Walking Dead at the moment so my gore level is pretty high. Get involved with a Night of the Living Pumpkin Gingerbread!
I have a confession to make… I’m a bit of a zombie fanatic. With Halloween on the horizon it’s the perfect excuse to get my zombie juices flowing again. My six-year old daughter was totally on board; she’s been pestering me to make gingerbread men for ages and was a little too excited about decorating with plenty of blood and goo – should I be concerned?
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup dark brown sugar
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup pumpkin puree
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- frosting to decorate
- pre-made eye balls (optional)
- Cream butter and brown sugar in an electric mixer. When light and fluffy, add the molasses, a beaten egg and the pumpkin puree.
- In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, baking soda, salt and spices, then gradually beat into creamed mixture.
- Divide the dough and make two or three balls (this just speeds up the chilling process), then wrap in plastic and refrigerate to firm up, about 20 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350°. On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion of dough to 1/8-in. thickness. Cut with a floured gingerbread man cookie cutter. If decapitating or removing a zombie limb, do this before cooking.
- Place 1-2 in. apart on a lined baking sheet and bake until edges are firm or just starting to brown, 8-10 minutes.
- Cool those zombies and frost as desired. We bought ready made eyeballs because my frosting skills have room for improvement, nice and easy for the kiddos too.
- You can buy pumpkin puree canned - we found ours in the baking isle around all the pumpkin pie stuff. Otherwise, make your own by cutting a pumpkin in half, scooping out seeds and placing face down in an inch of water. Bake at 350ºF for 60-90mins (depending on size of pumpkin). When soft, scoop out the flesh and blend.
While ‘The Night of the Living Dead’ is definitely a movie for the kids, I couldn’t help bringing our zombies to life in this classic scene from the movie! Happy Halloween…
If you love pumpkin flavors, try my pumpkin spiced scones!
These are brilliant, what a great idea! Love the decoration and the pumpkin puree. Are they chewy gingerbread or crispy? Off to make these…! #foodiefriday
It really depends how you like them… cut slightly thicker and cook for 8mins for chewy. Go thinner and 10mins for crispy!
These are brilliant! I’m mad for ‘The Walking Dead’, Daryl Dixon is definitely edible haha! Will be making these with my daughter if I can keep her attention ? #eatsleepblogrt
Daryl… yum! ?
Oh they look fun to make! – a little scary I may add! xx
#EatSleepBlogRT
Scary was the objective although I’m hoping I haven’t traumatized my six year old too much!
These are brilliant. Looks like loads of fun. I might have to give it a go with my boys. I like the one with the head fallen off! Thank you for linking up to #EatSleepBlogRT ?
These are so fab!
Mainy
#eatsleepblogRT
Oh my god – fantastic!! But totally gruesome!!
thanks for linking to #foodiefriday
These are great and are making me hungry on my commute home. They look really simple too! A great treat for Halloween this weekend. Thanks for linking up at #fortheloveofBLOG. Claire x