Halloween season just got even sweeter with these Milk Chocolate Stuffed Jack-O’-Lantern Cookies! Imagine biting into a warm, soft, and chewy cookie with gooey milk chocolate in the center, all encased in a soft orange-hued dough that’s decorated to look like a friendly Jack-O’-Lantern. These cookies are perfect for celebrating the spooky season while satisfying your sweet tooth in the most delicious way possible. Whether you’re sharing them with friends at a Halloween party or just enjoying a treat at home, these cookies will bring the perfect mix of fun and flavor to any occasion.
Why You’ll Love Milk Chocolate Stuffed Jack-O’-Lantern Cookies
Here’s why these cookies are the ultimate fall treat:
- Gooey Chocolate Center: The milk chocolate tucked inside each cookie makes for an irresistible, melty center that everyone will love. It’s like a little surprise in every bite!
- Festive & Fun: With their bright orange dough and adorable Jack-O’-Lantern faces, these cookies are just as fun to look at as they are to eat. They’re perfect for Halloween parties, bake sales, or just a cozy fall treat.
- Soft & Chewy: These cookies have the perfect texture—soft and chewy on the inside with a slight crispiness around the edges. The melt-in-your-mouth chocolate is the perfect contrast to the dough.
- Quick and Easy: No need to be a baking expert to whip up these cookies. With simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, you’ll have a batch of Halloween magic in no time!
- Customizable: Want to switch up the filling? You can use peanut butter cups, caramel, or white chocolate for a different spin on these festive treats.
Ingredients for Milk Chocolate Stuffed Jack-O’-Lantern Cookies
Here’s what you’ll need to make these fun and delicious cookies:
- All-Purpose Flour: The base of the dough that gives these cookies structure.
- Baking Soda: Helps the cookies rise and become perfectly chewy.
- Salt: Balances out the sweetness and enhances the flavors.
- Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and flavor to the dough. Be sure it’s softened.
- Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the dough and gives the cookies a slight crunch on the outside.
- Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and a deeper flavor to the cookies.
- Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and help create a soft, chewy texture.
- Vanilla Extract: A key flavor enhancer that makes the dough even more delicious.
- Orange Food Coloring: For that classic Jack-O’-Lantern color. (Optional, but fun!)
- Milk Chocolate Chips: These will melt perfectly inside the cookies for a gooey, chocolatey surprise.
- Candy Eyes: For decorating the Jack-O’-Lantern faces. These are optional but make the cookies even more adorable.
(Note: Full ingredient measurements are available in the recipe card above!)
Instructions
Let’s get baking! Here’s how to make these adorable and delicious cookies:
Preheat Your Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent the cookies from sticking.
Make the Dough
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. In a separate large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This usually takes about 3-4 minutes with a hand mixer or stand mixer.
Add in the eggs, one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract. Beat until fully combined. If you want your cookies to have that signature orange color, add a few drops of orange food coloring and mix until the dough is evenly tinted.
Add the Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in tougher cookies.
Stuff the Cookies
Scoop out about 1 tablespoon of dough and flatten it slightly in your hand. Place a few milk chocolate chips in the center, then roll the dough around the chocolate, sealing it inside. Roll the dough into a ball and place it on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining dough, spacing the cookies about 2 inches apart.
Add the Faces (Optional)
If you want to add Jack-O’-Lantern faces, use a small knife or a toothpick to carve faces into the top of each cookie. You can also stick a couple of candy eyes into the dough for a fun touch.
Bake to Perfection
Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for about 8-10 minutes or until the edges are golden and the centers are still soft. The cookies will continue to cook on the baking sheet, so don’t worry if they seem a little soft when you pull them out of the oven.
Cool and Enjoy
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy the gooey, melty chocolate center with a glass of milk, or share them with friends to spread the Halloween joy!
Nutrition Facts
- Servings: 12
- Calories per serving: 220
- Total Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
- Sodium: 100mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 28g
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Sugars: 18g
- Protein: 2g
Preparation Time
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
How to Serve Milk Chocolate Stuffed Jack-O’-Lantern Cookies
These cookies are perfect as a standalone treat, but here are a few ideas to make them even more festive:
- Serve with Hot Chocolate: These cookies go perfectly with a mug of warm hot chocolate or pumpkin spice latte.
- Halloween Party: Set these cookies out on a spooky Halloween-themed dessert table for a fun and delicious treat.
- With Ice Cream: Crumble a cookie or two over a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a sweet, chocolaty dessert sundae.
Additional Tips
- Make-Ahead: You can make the cookie dough in advance and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Just scoop and bake when you’re ready!
- Stuffing Options: Try using peanut butter cups, caramel candies, or white chocolate chips for a fun twist on the filling.
- Decorating: If you want to get extra creative, you can decorate the cookies with frosting or edible glitter to make them even more festive.
FAQ Section
Q1: Can I use a different type of chocolate?
A1: Yes! You can use dark chocolate, white chocolate, or even peanut butter chips for a different twist on these cookies.
Q2: How do I make these cookies softer?
A2: Make sure not to overbake them. Take them out of the oven when they’re slightly soft in the center and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes.
Q3: Can I freeze the dough?
A3: Yes! You can freeze the cookie dough for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to bake, just let the dough thaw in the fridge overnight and bake as directed.
Q4: Can I make these cookies without food coloring?
A4: Absolutely! The food coloring is optional, so feel free to leave it out if you prefer a more natural cookie.
Q5: How do I store leftovers?
A5: Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. They’ll stay soft and delicious!
Q6: Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
A6: Yes! Just swap the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend, and the recipe will still work beautifully.
Q7: How do I make these cookies chewier?
A7: For a chewier cookie, slightly underbake them and let them cool on the baking sheet. This keeps them soft in the center.
Q8: Can I use candy corn or other Halloween candies in the center?
A8: Definitely! Candy corn or even mini Snickers bars would be a fun addition to the center of these cookies.
Q9: Can I add nuts to the dough?
A9: Yes! Chopped pecans or walnuts would add a nice crunch to the dough. Just fold them in when mixing the dough.
Q10: Can I make the faces more intricate?
A10: Absolutely! Use royal icing or edible markers to draw more detailed Jack-O’-Lantern faces on the cookies for an extra fun touch.
Conclusion
These Milk Chocolate Stuffed Jack-O’-Lantern Cookies are the perfect treat for Halloween, combining a fun festive look with the irresistible taste of gooey chocolate. Whether you’re baking with the kids, bringing treats to a party, or just enjoying them at home, these cookies will surely put a smile on everyone’s face. So, roll up your sleeves, grab your ingredients, and get ready to enjoy some seriously cute and delicious cookies this spooky season!
Print
Milk Chocolate Stuffed Jack-O’-Lantern Cookies
- Total Time: 0 hours
- Yield: 18–24 cookies 1x
Description
These fun and festive Milk Chocolate Stuffed Jack-O’-Lantern Cookies are perfect for Halloween! Soft, chewy cookies with a gooey milk chocolate center, shaped into adorable Jack-O’-Lantern faces. A sweet treat that’s sure to impress your guests or delight the little ones this spooky season!
Ingredients
For the Cookie Dough:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon (optional for a touch of fall flavor)
- Orange food coloring (for Jack-O’-Lantern color)
For the Chocolate Filling:
- 1 1/2 cups milk chocolate chips (or chopped milk chocolate)
For the Jack-O’-Lantern Faces (Optional Decoration):
- Black decorating icing or edible markers
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. - Prepare the Cookie Dough:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon (if using). Set aside.
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
Add the egg and vanilla extract, and beat until smooth. Stir in a few drops of orange food coloring to achieve a vibrant orange color. - Mix the Dough:
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until combined. The dough should be soft and slightly sticky. If the dough feels too sticky, add a little extra flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, until it’s manageable. - Stuff the Cookies:
Roll the dough into 1-inch balls, then gently flatten each ball with your hands. Place about 1-2 teaspoons of milk chocolate chips (or chopped milk chocolate) in the center of each flattened dough piece. Fold the edges of the dough around the chocolate, rolling it back into a ball, sealing the chocolate inside. Repeat until all the dough and chocolate are used. - Shape the Jack-O’-Lantern Faces:
If you’d like to create Jack-O’-Lantern faces, gently flatten the dough balls to form round cookie shapes and use a fork or knife to lightly score a jack-o’-lantern face into the dough. You can also use edible black decorating icing or edible markers to draw on the faces once the cookies are baked and cooled. - Bake the Cookies:
Place the stuffed dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spaced about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers are soft. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. - Decorate (Optional):
Once the cookies are completely cool, use the black icing to draw Jack-O’-Lantern faces on the cookies, or simply leave them as is for a simple, festive look. - Serve:
Serve these fun and delicious cookies at your Halloween party, or enjoy them as a spooky snack for the family!
Notes
- Chocolate Filling Variations: You can use other types of chocolate like dark chocolate or white chocolate if you prefer, or mix different chocolates together for a unique flavor.
- Storage: Store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4-5 days. They can also be frozen for up to 2 months.
- Dough Chilling: If your dough is too soft to handle, chill it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before shaping the cookies.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 70mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg