Best 5 Gingerbread Jack O Lanterns Recipes

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With Halloween fast approaching, it's time to start thinking about festive treats. Gingerbread Jack-o-lanterns are a classic Halloween treat that are fun to make and delicious to eat. These adorable little cookies are made with a simple gingerbread dough that is cut into jack-o-lantern shapes and decorated with candy corn, chocolate chips, and other Halloween-themed treats.

This article provides three delicious recipes for Gingerbread Jack-o-lanterns:

1. **Classic Gingerbread Jack-o-lanterns**: This recipe is a classic for a reason. It's simple to make and produces delicious, festive cookies.

2. **Chocolate Gingerbread Jack-o-lanterns:** This recipe adds a chocolatey twist to the classic gingerbread jack-o'-lantern. The cookies are made with a chocolate gingerbread dough and decorated with chocolate chips and other Halloween candy.

3. **Pumpkin Spice Gingerbread Jack-o-lanterns:** This recipe combines the flavors of pumpkin spice and gingerbread for a unique and delicious Halloween treat. The cookies are made with a pumpkin spice gingerbread dough and decorated with candy corn and other Halloween candy.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

JACK-O'-LANTERN COOKIES



Jack-O'-Lantern Cookies image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     dessert

Time 1h15m

Yield 4 dozen 3-inch cookies

Number Of Ingredients 15

2 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons butter (3/4 stick), softened
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 egg yolk, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup unsweetened pumpkin puree, recipe to follow
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 pumpkin, such as Jack Be Little, Munchkin, or Spookie, 2 pounds

Steps:

  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, allspice, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, baking powder, and salt; reserve. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer set on medium-high speed, beat together the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg yolk and vanilla and beat well. Beat in the pumpkin puree. Reduce the speed to low and add the flour mixture in 3 batches, mixing well after each addition. Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured surface, divide in half, flatten each half into a disk, wrap separately in plastic wrap, and chill for 30 minutes. Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. On a lightly floured surface, roll out 1 of the disks 1/8-inch thick. Using a pumpkin-shaped cookie cutter or cardboard Jack-o'-lantern template 5 to 6 inches in diameter, cut out cookies. If using the cookie cutter, finish off the Jack-o'-lantern by cutting out eyes and a mouth with the tip of a sharp knife. Repeat with the remaining dough. Transfer the cookies to the prepared baking sheets. Bake until golden, 12 to 15 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. Decorate with colored sugars/chocolates.
  • Preheat an oven to 400 degrees. Brush a baking sheet with the oil.
  • Cut the pumpkin in half horizontally and scoop out the seeds and strings (save the seeds for roasting). Place the pumpkin halves cut side down on the prepared baking sheet. Bake until the flesh is soft when pierced with a fork, 45 to 60 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool.
  • Scoop out the flesh into a food processor or blender. Puree until smooth. Spoon the pumpkin puree into a sieve placed over a large bowl. Let the pumpkin drain for 30 minutes before using. Cover and refrigerate for up to 1 week, or freeze up to 1 year.

STRAWBERRY JACK-O-LANTERNS



Strawberry Jack-O-Lanterns image

Provided by Sandra Lee

Categories     dessert

Time 38m

Yield 8 to 12 servings

Number Of Ingredients 5

1 (12-ounce) bag white chocolate chips
16 drops yellow food coloring
8 drops red food coloring
1 pound extra-large strawberries
1/4 cup milk chocolate chips

Steps:

  • In a large microwavable glass bowl combine white chocolate chips and food coloring. Melt in microwave for 1 to 1/2 minutes stopping to stir every 30 seconds
  • Dip the extra-large strawberries into the white chocolate allowing excess chocolate to drip off. Set on a baking sheet covered with waxed paper. Place in refrigerator for 10 minutes. If chocolate sets up while dipping just place it back into the microwave for 15 seconds.
  • While the strawberries are cooling, place milk chocolate chips into a releasable plastic sandwich bag and close. Microwave for 20 to 30 seconds. Snip 1 corner with scissors and decorate the strawberries like Jack-O-Lanterns.

JACK-O-LANTERNS



Jack-o-Lanterns image

[DRAFT]

Provided by Food Network

Time 20m

Yield 5 Servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 package (11.5 oz.) Keebler® Fudge Stripes™ Dark Chocolate cookies (crushed to 3 cups) (optional)
5 Kellogg's® Eggo® Minis Homestyle waffles
5 lollipop sticks
Canned white frosting
Canned chocolate frosting
Food coloring
Orange sprinkles
Green sprinkles
Miniature semi-sweet chocolate morsels
Miniature marshmallows, halved horizontally
Pretzel sticks, broken into ½-inch pieces

Steps:

  • 1. Fill 3½ - to 4-cup container with Keebler® Fudge Stripes™ Dark Chocolate cookie crumbs to form base, if desired. Set aside.
  • 2. Prepare Kellogg's® Eggo® Mini Homestyle waffles according to package directions. Cool for 5 minutes. Press one lollipop stick into each waffle. Cool completely.
  • 3. Use white frosting, chocolate frosting, food coloring, orange sprinkles, green sprinkles, chocolate morsels and marshmallow pieces to decorate waffles as jack-o-lanterns. Press pretzel pieces into each as pumpkin stem. Push lollipops sticks into cookie crumbs to stand upright.

JACK-O'-LANTERN STUFFED PEPPERS



Jack-o'-Lantern Stuffed Peppers image

Provided by Trisha Yearwood

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h15m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

Kosher salt and ground black pepper
1 cup small elbow macaroni
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 yellow onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 pound lean ground beef
One 14-ounce can fire-roasted tomatoes, drained
1 cup heavy cream
2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar
6 orange bell peppers

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Bring a small pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the macaroni to al dente according to the package instructions. Drain and hold until the meat mixture is ready.
  • In a cast-iron pan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onions and sweat until translucent, 5 to 8 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another 1 minute. Add the ground beef, season with salt and pepper and cook until starting to brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes. Add the cream and cook until the mixture is reduced, about 10 minutes. Turn off the heat, add the cheese and stir until well incorporated. Stir in the cooked macaroni and season with salt and pepper.
  • Cut each pepper around the stem and remove to create a lid. Remove the seeds and, if the peppers do not sit flat, trim the bottoms slightly; just be careful not to cut a hole in the bottom of the peppers. Using the tip of a small serrated knife, cut a face like a jack-o'-lantern into the side of each pepper.
  • Fill the peppers with the beef mixture and put on a baking sheet with the lids on the side. Bake until the peppers are fork-tender, about 30 minutes.

JACK-O'-LANTERN CREAM PUFFS



Jack-o'-Lantern Cream Puffs image

These jack-o'-lanterns may look spooky on the outside, but inside is a creamy, sweet treat. The classic flavor of pumpkin pie spice will have all your ghosts and goblins screaming for more! Karalee Helminak, South Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 1h30m

Yield 12 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 19

1/2 cup water
1/4 cup butter, cubed
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
2 eggs
FILLING:
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup canned pumpkin
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
3/4 cup whipped topping
FROSTING:
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
2 teaspoons butter, softened
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 to 2 teaspoons milk
Green and orange food coloring
1 tablespoon baking cocoa

Steps:

  • In a small saucepan, bring the water, butter and sugar to a boil. , In a small bowl, combine flour and pie spice; add to water mixture all at once and stir until a smooth ball forms. Remove from the heat; let stand for 5 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Continue beating until mixture is smooth and shiny. , Preheat oven to 400°. Drop 12 rounded tablespoonfuls 2 in. apart onto a greased baking sheet. Bake until golden brown, 30-35 minutes. Remove to a wire rack. Immediately split puffs open; remove tops and set aside. Discard soft dough from inside. Allow puffs to cool completely. , For filling, in a small bowl, beat the cream cheese, pumpkin, sugar and pie spice until smooth; fold in whipped topping. Pipe into cream puffs; replace tops., For frosting, in a small bowl, combine the confectioners' sugar, butter, vanilla and enough milk to achieve desired consistency. Divide frosting into thirds; tint one portion green, and one portion orange; set aside. Stir cocoa into the remaining frosting. Pipe jack-o'-lantern faces with orange and chocolate frosting. Pipe stems with green frosting.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 152 calories, Fat 9g fat (6g saturated fat), Cholesterol 57mg cholesterol, Sodium 72mg sodium, Carbohydrate 15g carbohydrate (9g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 3g protein.

Tips:

  • Use fresh ginger. Fresh ginger has a more intense flavor than ground ginger, giving your jack-o'-lanterns a more authentic gingerbread taste.
  • Chill the dough before baking. Chilling the dough makes it easier to work with and helps the cookies hold their shape better in the oven.
  • Bake the cookies until they are just set. Overbaking will make the cookies hard and dry. The cookies should be slightly soft in the center when you take them out of the oven.
  • Decorate the cookies while they are still warm. This will help the icing adhere better to the cookies.
  • Be creative with your decorations. You can use a variety of candies, sprinkles, and edible markers to create unique and festive jack-o'-lanterns.

Conclusion:

Gingerbread jack-o'-lanterns are a fun and festive treat that is perfect for Halloween. They are easy to make and can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With a little creativity, you can create unique and festive jack-o'-lanterns that will be the hit of your Halloween party.

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