PREP TIME 20 minutes; COOK TIME 13 minutes; CHILL TIME 45 minutes
SERVINGS 14 cookies
INGREDIENTS
Cookie Dough:
- ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter at room temperature
- ½ cup (110g) packed light brown sugar
- ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon (5ml) pure vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups plus 1 tbsp (223g) all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
Pumpkin Pie filling:
- ½ cup (120ml) pure pumpkin puree
- ¼ cup (55g) packed light brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) evaporated milk (or cream)
- 2 tablespoon (18g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (or make your own homemade pumpkin pie spice: 2 tablespoon ground cinnamon, 1 ½ teaspoon ground ginger, 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg, ½ teaspoon ground clove, ½ teaspoon ground allspice
INSTRUCTIONS
- Make the filling.Combine pumpkin puree, brown sugar, egg, milk or cream, flour and spice in a small bowl and whisk together so it is evenly blended and smooth. Refrigerate this while you make the cookie dough.
- Make the cookie dough. Combine butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar in a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer and mix on medium speed using an electric hand mixer for 1-2 minutes until pale and fluffy. You can also cream the mixture by hand with a large wide spatula.
- Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl, then add in the egg and vanilla and mix until evenly incorporated.
- Combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt and baking soda in a medium bowl and whisk it together to blend evenly. Add this to the butter mixture and fold it in gently until evenly combined and no streaks of flour remain. Place the dough onto a very lightly floured surface and shape it into a log about 11 inches long and wrap it well with plastic wrap or parchment paper. Refrigerate the log for 30 minutes.
- When ready to bake, slice the chilled log into 14 portions and roll each one into smooth balls between the palms of your hands. Place them onto prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 3 inches apart. Lightly flour the bottom of a teaspoon measure and press it down gently into the center of each dough ball while using your other hand to hold the sides in place so you get a nice deep divot. Watch the video for a full tutorial. Use your fingertips to reinforce the divot and press together any cracks that form on the sides. You should have a wide hole in the center and about ½ inch border of cookie dough around the edges. Place the cookie sheet in the fridge to chill again for 10-15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 375°F. Line two large cookie sheets with parchment paper.
- Pour about 2 teaspoons of filling into the center of each shaped dough ball to fill the divot right to the top. Bake 3 minutes, then reduce the oven temperature to 350°F and bake for another 10 minutes until nicely browned around the edges and the filling is no longer wobbly.
- Remove the baking sheet from the oven and allow the cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then use a thin spatula to transfer the cookies to a cooling rack to cool completely.
- Top with whipped cream if desired
