These adorable pumpkin patch cookies were contributed by Chef Jörg Amsler
Autumn, with its stunning colors as the trees get ready to accept our harsh winters, attracts people from all over to New England. We call them leaf peepers. Along with nature changing its season, we have a wide variety of great seasonal fruits and vegetables coming into their peak for harvesting. Fresh apple and pears, cider and fresh apple cinnamon donuts. There are every kind of squash and gory looking, colorful gourds. But my favorite thing to do is drive along farms with hundreds of giant orange pumpkins randomly laying in a field. Every single one is unique in size, color and shape. I have always been fascinated with the gift of nature that surrounds me and have tried to incorporate it into my baking. Pumpkin patch cookies are the perfect addition to brighten up my fall store displays and bring a smile to my customers when entering my store. I have also placed them on my plate settings for Thanksgiving to surprise my guests with a sweet treat. That bright orange color would set everyone in a great mood when sitting down. Who can refuse such a fun, spice flavored cookie?!
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Method:
1. Cream butter and sugar.
2. Add eggs and vanilla and incorporate.
3. Combine all remaining dry ingredients and egg mixture.
4. Mix all ingredients until a smooth dough is formed.
5. Remove from mixing bowl, wrap in plastic and let chill for at least 2 hours.
6. Roll out desired thickness and shapes and bake at 325 degrees to a light golden brown.
7. Cool and decorate.
To make the pumpkin cookies shown above:
| 1. Use three different size pumpkin cutters to form cookies. | |
| 2. Lightly airbrush the pumpkins with orange, making one side darker than the other. |  |
| 3. Airbrush the stems in brown. | |
| 4. Pipe royal icing along the outer edge of pumpkins and draw lines from the top middle to the bottom middle of the pumpkins |  |
| 5. Place the large pumpkin cookie down and lay the medium sized cookie of top of it. Place the small cookie on top of the medium one. |  |