Pumpkin Snikerdoodles and a Witch Costume

It is time for pumpkin everything.  I can't wait to do all sorts of Fall cooking and baking.  Yesterday, I made my friends some pumpkin snickerdoodles.
The recipe:

COOKIES:
1 cup (2 sticks) salted butter, at room temperature
1 cup granulated white sugar
1/2 cup light brown sugar
3/4 cup pure unsweetened pumpkin puree
1 large egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
ROLLING SUGAR:
1/2 cup granulated white sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon allspice

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the butter until fluffy. Add sugars and pumpkin puree and beat well. Mix in egg and vanilla, scraping down sides of the bowl to incorporate all of the ingredients.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt and ground cinnamon. Beat flour mixture into liquid mixture a little at a time just until incorporated.
3. Cover dough with plastic and chill at least an hour, or until dough becomes slightly firm.
4. When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper (or spray with nonstick spray). Mix rolling sugar ingredients in a small bowl.
5. Remove cookie dough from refrigerator. Use a medium cookie scoop (1 1/2 Tablespoons) or a large spoon to scoop out dough and roll into balls. Use your hands to roll the balls in the cinnamon sugar and make sure they're coated really well. Place 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Use a glass with a nice, flat bottom to dip in sugar and flatten the balls.
6. Bake at 350°F. for 10 to 14 minutes, or until they are slightly firm to the touch. Let cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes or so, then remove them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Not only are these scrumptious, they make your house smell wonderful when they are baking.

I put together a witch costume for my friend's daughter.  A proper witch costume must be delivered in a very special box.  Not just any old plain box will do.  When giving a gift, I think the presentation is as important as the gift itself.
So, I decorated the box with dragonflies and fancy trim.
The belt for the dress.

I also made the family some bread and wrapped the cookies in see-through pails.

I realized that the fancy witch hat I made last week was too big for my little witch friend.  So, her mother gets the big one.

And I made a smaller witch hat which fits her perfectly.

She got a special witch broom to go with her outfit too.  This little witch is set for Halloween.

Comments

Sunnybrook Farm said…
Those sound good, I have several large pumpkins in the garden that I need to do something with.
TARYTERRE said…
What a sweet witch she'll be. Everybody I know knows I think presentation is everything. So I agree 100% with you.
Margaret said…
I love all that you did! From the cookies, to the bread, to the costume and hat and the presentation! Amazing!
You are such a generous gift-giver! And nice to know you are preparing the next generation of witches, LOL!
Those cookies look so good I can almost taste them--love the taste of pumpkin.

Yes, gift presentation makes the gift all the more special
Anonymous said…
you are the best!!!!
SHERRY said…
I could smell those cookies all the way in California. I love pumpkin anything and will certainly have to try these yummy cookies. Thanks for the recipe. What a lovely gifts. The presentation is a gift within a gift.
Sherry
brokenteepee said…
I am sure she will be the prettiest witch on Halloween.

I might just steal that recipe for the firemen
Rue said…
Now THAT is a special delivery!

Adding your recipe to my "pumpkin baking" list!
Ellen in Oregon said…
When you first posted the hat, I didn't realize you had actually made the witch's hat yourself.I thought it came from an upscale boutique! You are so talented. Both hats amazing & any witch would be thrilled to wear one. Your little gift recipient is going to be over the moon with everything from the beautifully decorated gift box to the little fur trimmed broom. I'm sure your gifts will create life long memories. The cookies & bread are gifts anyone would love. Anyone who receives one of your gifts will count themselves lucky to have a friend as generous & thoughtful as you are Joyce.

I love snickerdoodles & everything pumpkin, so your recipe will be the first pumpkin baked good of the season. The cup of coffee I just sat down to enjoy, now seems sad & lonely without a couple of those tasty cookies to go with it. I hope I have pumpkin in the pantry.
Guillaume said…
I want to make more pumpkin recipes. This one looks yummy. Oh and I LOVE the costumes!
Barb said…
The pumpkin goodies look delicious! I would love to see the "witch" in her costume!! It will be wonderful!
Herbalgirl said…
Everything is beautiful. Such lucky friends and what a generous spirit you are!
Loli said…
Wow! I wish I could make something like that... You have golden hands!!