Description
Delicious Jack-O’-Lantern Molten Chocolate Cookies that are perfect for Halloween celebrations, featuring a gooey chocolate center and a festive pumpkin appearance.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200 g) brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups (300 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 tsp pumpkin spice (or cinnamon + nutmeg + ginger blend)
- Orange food coloring (gel preferred, for a pumpkin look)
- 1 cup (200 g) high-quality dark or milk chocolate, chopped (for filling)
- ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream (for filling)
- Black fondant (for decoration)
Instructions
- Prepare the Molten Chocolate Filling: In a saucepan, heat the heavy cream until just steaming (do not boil). Pour over the chopped chocolate, let sit 1 minute, then stir until smooth and glossy. Refrigerate for 30–40 minutes until thickened enough to scoop. Scoop into small balls (about 1 tsp each) and freeze until solid.
- Make the Cookie Dough: In a large bowl, cream butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla. In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and pumpkin spice. Add dry ingredients to wet mixture until just combined. Mix in orange food coloring until dough is pumpkin-colored.
- Shape the Jack-O’-Lanterns: Take a piece of dough, flatten it, and wrap it around a frozen chocolate ball, sealing edges. Shape into a pumpkin ball, then use a toothpick to create vertical pumpkin ridges. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Use a sharp knife or mini cutter to carve jack-o’-lantern faces into the dough. Add a small piece of black fondant at the top for the pumpkin stem.
- Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake for 10–12 minutes, until cookies are set but still soft (they should puff slightly). Let cool slightly before serving — the centers will remain molten!
Notes
- Ensure the chocolate filling is fully frozen before wrapping with cookie dough.
- Adjust the amount of pumpkin spice according to your taste preference.
- Use gel food coloring for a more vibrant pumpkin color.
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 40mg