Jump to Recipe Print RecipeAs the leaves begin to turn and the air grows crisp, I can’t help but feel that familiar mix of excitement and nostalgia for Halloween. This year, I’m celebrating with a batch of Spooky Ghost Brown Butter Pumpkin Cookies that not only capture the essence of fall but also bring a playful twist to your dessert table. The enchanting aroma of browned butter melds beautifully with luscious pumpkin and warm spices, creating cookies that are both chewy and utterly delightful. Best of all, they’re surprisingly easy to make—perfect for sharing at Halloween parties or enjoying with loved ones while snuggled up on the couch. Curious about how to whip up these festive treats that everyone will rave about? Let’s dive in! Why Are These Cookies So Spooky? Delightful Flavors: The rich, toasty brown butter combined with pumpkin and spices creates a symphony of fall flavors that will have everyone coming back for more. Chewy Perfection: Each cookie is perfectly tender and chewy, ensuring a satisfying experience with every bite. Easy and Quick: No complicated techniques here; this recipe is simple enough for any home cook. Festive Fun: Decorated with adorable white chocolate ghosts, these cookies instantly add spookiness to your Halloween celebrations. Crowd-Pleasing Treat: They’re perfect for gatherings—your friends and family will rave about them, just like they do for my delicious Butter Chicken Comfort or Biscoff Cookie Butter. Spooky Ghost Brown Butter Pumpkin Cookies • The essential ingredients for a Halloween treat! For the Cookies Pumpkin Puree – Provides moisture and a delicious pumpkin flavor; you can use either canned or homemade. Brown Butter – Adds a rich, nutty essence to your cookies; substituting with regular butter will change the flavor profile. Maple Syrup – Offers a hint of sweet maple flavor; feel free to swap in honey or agave syrup if desired. Flour – Gives the cookies their structure; all-purpose flour works well, and a gluten-free blend is a great alternative. Brown Sugar – Enhances chewiness and adds caramel notes; you can use light or dark brown sugar interchangeably. Egg – Binds the ingredients for a tender texture; it’s best not to substitute this for perfect cookies. Baking Soda & Baking Powder – Essential for helping the cookies rise and achieve that ideal soft texture. Cinnamon & Pumpkin Spice – A spice blend that infuses warm fall flavors; adjust according to your taste preferences using pumpkin pie spice as another option. White Chocolate – Perfect for decorating and adding sweetness; dark chocolate can be substituted if you prefer. Black Candy Melts – These are for creating your ghost designs; white chocolate also works for a simpler decoration. Get ready to indulge in your own batch of Spooky Ghost Brown Butter Pumpkin Cookies and make this Halloween sweetly memorable! Step‑by‑Step Instructions for Spooky Ghost Brown Butter Pumpkin Cookies Step 1: Brown the Butter Begin by melting 1 cup of unsalted butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir constantly until the butter turns a deep golden brown and emits a nutty aroma, approximately 5–8 minutes. Be careful not to burn it! Once browned, remove from heat and let it cool slightly in a bowl while you prepare the other ingredients. Step 2: Mix Wet Ingredients In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled brown butter with 1 cup of brown sugar, ½ cup of maple syrup, 1 cup of pumpkin puree, and 1 large egg. Whisk until the mixture is smooth and creamy, ensuring everything is evenly blended together. The warm, rich aroma of the Spooky Ghost Brown Butter Pumpkin Cookies will fill your kitchen! Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, and 1 teaspoon of pumpkin spice until well combined. This dry mixture will add the necessary structure and spice to your cookies, enhancing their fall flavor profile. Step 4: Combine Mixtures Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, folding gently with a spatula until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; you want the dough to be soft and slightly sticky. This is the final step to bringing your Spooky Ghost Brown Butter Pumpkin Cookies to life! Step 5: Scoop and Bake Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare light-colored baking sheets (this helps the cookies bake evenly). Use a medium cookie scoop to drop generous amounts of dough onto the sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are set, but the centers still look slightly soft; they will firm up as they cool. Step 6: Decorate Once the cookies have cooled slightly on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, transfer them to wire racks to cool completely. Meanwhile, melt white chocolate in a microwave or double boiler. Use a piping bag to create ghost designs on each cookie, and add black candy melts for eyes or other cute details, making your Spooky Ghost Brown Butter Pumpkin Cookies irresistibly festive! Make Ahead Options These Spooky Ghost Brown Butter Pumpkin Cookies are perfect for making ahead and saving time during your busy fall festivities! You can prepare the cookie dough and refrigerate it for up to 3 days. Simply scoop the dough onto baking sheets lined with parchment paper, cover them tightly, and store in the fridge. When you’re ready to bake, there’s no need to thaw; just pop them directly into the preheated oven and add an extra minute or two to the baking time. For added convenience, you can also melt the white chocolate and prepare the ghost decorations in advance. This way, when the cookies are freshly baked, simply pipe on those spooky designs and enjoy delicious, homemade treats with minimal effort! What to Serve with Spooky Ghost Brown Butter Pumpkin Cookies As the scent of autumn spices fills your home, these enchanting cookies beckon to be paired with delightful accompaniments for a cozy gathering. Warm Apple Cider: The sweet-tart flavors of spiced apple cider elevate the festive spirit of your cookies, creating a warm hug in a mug. Vanilla Ice Cream: A scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream provides a contrasting coolness that beautifully complements the chewy texture of the cookies. Pumpkin Spice Latte: This beloved fall drink ties in the pumpkin theme and spiced notes, making your snack break feel extra seasonal and comforting. Candied Pecans: The sweet crunch of candied pecans offers a delightful contrast to the soft cookies, adding an extra layer of flavor and texture to your dessert spread. Chocolate Dipped Pretzels: These sweet and salty snacks create a playful twist that pairs well with the cookies, perfect for Halloween parties or cozy movie nights. Caramel Sauce: Drizzling warm caramel over a cookie elevates the experience to pure bliss, enhancing the brown butter and pumpkin flavors with rich sweetness. Chai Tea: The aromatic spices in chai tea harmonize wonderfully with the cookie’s flavors, making for a relaxing afternoon treat that warms the soul. Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars: For a decadent dessert table, these bars mirror the pumpkin cookie’s flavors while offering a creamy bite that guests will adore. Spooky Ghost Brown Butter Pumpkin Cookies Variations Feel free to get creative with these Spooky Ghost Brown Butter Pumpkin Cookies; let your imagination run wild while you bake! Zucchini Twist: Swap pumpkin puree for shredded zucchini to lighten up the cookies while still keeping them moist. It’s a fun, sneaky way to add veggies into the mix! Butterscotch Delight: Instead of white chocolate chips, use butterscotch chips for an extra layer of sweetness and a unique flavor that dances on your palate. Trust me, this will be a new favorite! Nutty Crunch: Add chopped walnuts or pecans to the dough to introduce a delightful crunch that contrasts beautifully with the soft cookie texture. This makes for a satisfying bite! Gluten-Free Version: Use a gluten-free flour blend to make these cookies suitable for your gluten-free friends, allowing everyone to enjoy the festive fun! Spicy Kick: Spice it up by adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili powder to the dough, giving your cookies a surprising heat that contrasts the sweetness perfectly. Chocolate Lovers: Swap out the white chocolate for dark chocolate, adding a deeper, richer flavor that pairs beautifully with the pumpkin and spices. It’s a wonderful twist for chocolate lovers! Coconut Infusion: Mix in shredded coconut for a tropical touch that adds flavor and texture, making your cookies even more festive and unique. For more mouthwatering ideas, don’t miss out on my recipes like Garlic Butter Steak or enjoy a cozy fall dessert with Tiramisu Cookies Melt. Each variation can help you create a personalized batch of cookies that will have everyone enchanted this Halloween! Storage Tips for Spooky Ghost Brown Butter Pumpkin Cookies Room Temperature: Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week to maintain their delicious softness. Fridge: For extra freshness, you can refrigerate the cookies; they will last up to 2 weeks, but allow them to come to room temperature before serving for best flavor. Freezer: Freeze cookies for longer storage; wrap each cookie individually or place them in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months without losing their chewy texture. Reheating: To enjoy your Spooky Ghost Brown Butter Pumpkin Cookies warm, simply microwave them for about 10 seconds or place them in an oven at 350°F (175°C) for a few minutes. Expert Tips for Spooky Ghost Brown Butter Pumpkin Cookies Watch the Butter: Always keep an eye on the butter while browning; it can quickly go from beautifully nutty to burnt if left unattended. Cool Before Decorating: Allow cookies to cool completely before decorating to prevent the white chocolate from melting and losing its shape. Use a Cookie Scoop: For uniform cookies, use a cookie scoop; this ensures even baking and a polished look for your Spooky Ghost Brown Butter Pumpkin Cookies. Don’t Overmix Dough: Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined; overmixing can lead to tough cookies instead of tender and chewy ones. Get Creative: Feel free to mix in butterscotch chips or nuts to customize your cookies—delicious variations can be made while still embracing the spooky theme! Spooky Ghost Brown Butter Pumpkin Cookies Recipe FAQs What type of pumpkin puree should I use? Absolutely! You can use either canned pumpkin puree or homemade pumpkin puree for these cookies. If you opt for homemade, just make sure it’s well-drained to avoid excess moisture which can alter the cookie texture. How should I store my spooky ghost cookies? To keep your Spooky Ghost Brown Butter Pumpkin Cookies fresh and soft, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. For extra freshness, refrigerate them for up to 2 weeks. Just let them come to room temperature before serving for the best flavor! Can I freeze these cookies? Very! You can freeze your cookies to enjoy later. Wrap each cookie individually with plastic wrap or place them in a freezer-safe container. They will maintain their delightful chewiness for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, simply pop them in the microwave for about 10 seconds or warm them in an oven at 350°F (175°C) for a few minutes. What should I do if my cookies come out too flat? If your cookies spread out too much during baking, it’s likely due to overmixing the dough or not using enough flour. Ensure you just combine the wet and dry ingredients until they are barely mixed. If they still flatten, chill the dough for about 30 minutes before baking; this will help them hold their shape better. Are there any dietary considerations for these cookies? Absolutely! If you have allergies or dietary restrictions, you can make some adjustments. For gluten-free options, just swap in a gluten-free flour blend. If you need to avoid eggs, while I don’t recommend substitutes for this recipe due to the binding nature of eggs, you may try using a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 2.5 tablespoons water, let it sit for 5 minutes) as an alternative, but the texture may vary slightly. Spooky Ghost Brown Butter Pumpkin Cookies for Fall Fun Enjoy the festive flavors of fall with Spooky Ghost Brown Butter Pumpkin Cookies, featuring chewy texture and delightful decorations. Print Recipe Pin Recipe Prep Time 15 minutes minsCook Time 12 minutes minsCooling Time 5 minutes minsTotal Time 32 minutes mins Servings: 24 cookiesCourse: DessertCuisine: AmericanCalories: 150 Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes Ingredients 1x2x3x? For the Cookies1 cup Pumpkin Puree canned or homemade1 cup Brown Butter substituting with regular butter will change flavor½ cup Maple Syrup can swap with honey or agave syrup2 cups Flour all-purpose or gluten-free blend1 cup Brown Sugar light or dark brown sugar can be used1 large Egg best not to substitute1 teaspoon Baking Soda1 teaspoon Baking Powder1 teaspoon Cinnamon1 teaspoon Pumpkin Spice can adjust according to taste1 cup White Chocolate for decorating½ cup Black Candy Melts for ghost designs Equipment Medium saucepanMixing bowlWhiskSpatulaCookie ScoopBaking Sheets Method Step-by-Step InstructionsBrown the Butter: Melt unsalted butter in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring until it turns a deep golden brown (5–8 minutes).Mix Wet Ingredients: Combine cooled brown butter, brown sugar, maple syrup, pumpkin puree, and egg in a bowl; whisk until smooth.Combine Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and pumpkin spice until combined.Combine Mixtures: Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture, folding gently until just combined, avoiding overmixing.Scoop and Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Use a cookie scoop to drop dough on prepared baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apart. Bake for 10–12 minutes.Decorate: Let cookies cool on sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire racks. Melt white chocolate and decorate cookies with ghost designs using a piping bag. Nutrition Serving: 1cookieCalories: 150kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 2gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 2.5gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 50mgPotassium: 50mgFiber: 1gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 500IUCalcium: 10mgIron: 0.5mg NotesAllow cookies to cool completely before decorating to maintain shape. Use a cookie scoop for uniformity and to prevent overmixing. Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
