I posted on The Baker Chick’s facebook page yesterday how I’ve been having lots of baking failures this week. Nothing is more annoying to me than messing up my kitchen and having high hopes for something delicious only to end up with dirty dishes and a flop. I know it’s all part of the learning process, but it’s so much more satisfying when recipes work out the first time right?
Anyway- luckily for me, after 2 failed attempts at making pumpkin macarons, and the filling for them already made and ready to go, I knew I had to improvise. The creamy filling was just waiting to be part of a cookie creation, so something else would have to step in for the temperamental macaron shells. I remembered this classic snickerdoodle recipe I’d last attempted mid summer when my hot kitchen hated me. Luckily now, it’s crisp out, and baking a batch of these only made things more cozy.
Can I say how glad I am that plan A didn’t work out? I’m sure pumpkin macarons would have been to die for, but this combination was wonderful. The chewy cinnamon-y cookies were perfect with the creamy pumpkin-cheesecake-esque filling. They just tasted like everything I want in fall- dessert warm spices, pumpkin and a perfectly crispy edge. The name of these cookies alone made my friends and family go crazy for them. Get ready to “Ooh” and “Ah” after your first bite. They really are heaven. My best mistake yet!
- 1⅓ cups all purpose flour
- ½ tsp. cream of tartar
- ½ tsp. baking soda
- ⅛ tsp. salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter- room temperature
- ½ cup plus 2 Tablespoons sugar
- 2 Tablespoons light brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- for rolling:
- ¼ cup sugar
- 2 tsp. cinnamon
- pumpkin filling:
- 4oz cream cheese, softened.
- 2 tablespoons of softened butter
- 2 cups powdered sugar- sifted
- ¼ cup pumpkin puree
- ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon of ginger
- ⅛ teaspoon of nutmeg
- pinch of cloves
- Preheat oven to 350. Line cookie sheets with parchment or a silpat. Combine the dry ingredients into a bowl and set aside.
- Cream the butter and sugars on medium speed for several minutes until they're light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla and mix to combine.
- Add the flour mixture in two batches, making sure the first is incorporated before adding the second. Stop when the second batch is fully combined.
- Chill dough for 15-20 mins. Meanwhile stir together cinnamon and sugar in a bowl. When dough is chilled enough to be handled, roll ½-inch balls of dough into the mixture. Place them on the cookie sheets about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 9-10 minutes. Cool the sheets on wire racks for a few minutes, then transfer the cookies directly onto the racks to let them finish cooling.
- Cream together the butter and cream cheese until light and fluffy. add powdered sugar one cup at a time until mixture is thick and well-combined. Stir in pumpkin pureé and spices.
- Match up similar-sized cookies and pipe or spread filling between them. Cookies last in the fridge for up to a week.
cookie recipe adapted from: The Cookiepedia by Stacy Adimando
filling adapted from: Sally’s Baking Addiction
meliss says
October 17, 2012 at 10:54 amthese look deliciouuuss! can’t get enough pumpkin recipes :)
the 3volution of j3nn says
October 17, 2012 at 11:20 amThese must smell incredible! Snickerdoodles and pumpkin-flavored cream cheese filling? Aah, so delish.
Megan says
October 17, 2012 at 1:17 pmThese look and sound absolutely divine!!
MomWhatsForDinner says
October 17, 2012 at 2:36 pmoh YUM!
Lauren R Villanueva says
October 17, 2012 at 3:26 pmI’m a new follower to your blog, but I’ve already found so many recipes that I want to try. Thank you for sharing so many pumpkin themed treats. I can’t get enough!
Mimi says
October 17, 2012 at 4:26 pmBrilliant idea! Can’t wait to try these!
Jessica_AKitchenAddiction says
October 17, 2012 at 6:07 pmThis looks like a delicious mistake! Yum!
Warm Vanilla Sugar says
October 17, 2012 at 6:13 pmThese sound so lovely! The filling especially sounds great :)
Sally says
October 17, 2012 at 7:13 pmthe same exact pumpkin cream cheese recipe I developed! I’m so glad you like it to use it again, Audra. Pairing it with Snickerdoodles is a lovely idea.
Dinnersdishesdessert says
October 17, 2012 at 8:06 pmI hate baking failures, I have had a couple in the last couple weeks too – so frustrating! Pumpkin and Snickerdoodles go so well together, can’t have a failure there!
Becca Looney says
October 17, 2012 at 8:21 pmOk these look positively amazing :) I made your pumpkin cookies with cream cheese frosting toward the beginning of the month and they were superb! I can’t wait to try this recipe out some time :)
Lizzy Do says
October 18, 2012 at 12:44 amOh, yum! My youngest is a snickerdoodle fanatic and he’d love a double dose plus pumpkin filling…wow. I think your baking slump has ended!
arpitterle says
October 18, 2012 at 4:08 amI’ve been on a HUGE pumpkin kick and might just have to make these this weekend. I love your recipes, everything I’ve tried from your blog has been great! Thanks!
Bee says
October 18, 2012 at 5:05 pmWhat an awesome improvisation! This is the PERFECT combo too! I am bookmarking to try myself :)
Mi Vida en un Dulce says
October 18, 2012 at 7:37 pmI love all pumpkin recipes…!!
Kaycee Robertson says
December 7, 2012 at 3:03 pmSilly question, but do these need to be refrigerated afterwards? I’d like to make these and then send them to my Dad, as he’s overseas in Afghanistan. Would they keep well?
Audra says
December 7, 2012 at 3:12 pmHi Kaycee!
I think these would send OK if you use an all butter filling instead of cream cheese. Just nix the cream cheese and sub with more butter- the rest is the same!
I hope your Dad loves them! :)
Audra says
December 7, 2012 at 3:12 pmAnd- keep them in the fridge until right before you send!