There’s something magical about autumn. The air turns crisp, leaves crunch under your boots, and suddenly everything—from coffee to candles—comes in pumpkin spice. If you’re looking for a playful way to bring fall cheer into your kitchen, these Pumpkin Patch Cookies are the treat you didn’t know you needed. They’re soft, orange sandwich cookies filled with a creamy middle, topped with crushed chocolate cookies to resemble fresh soil, and even decorated with little green “pumpkin stems.”

They’re festive enough for a Halloween party, cute enough for a kids’ school treat, and delicious enough for your own cozy evening with a cup of cider. And the best part? They’re easy to make with simple ingredients you probably already have. Let’s get baking!

Ingredients

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
1 tsp pumpkin spice (or cinnamon + nutmeg)
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
1 large egg
2 tsp vanilla extract
Orange food coloring (gel works best)
½ cup sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt)

Filling:

½ cup unsalted butter, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
2–3 tbsp heavy cream or milk
1 tsp vanilla extract

Topping:

½ cup crushed chocolate sandwich cookies (like Oreos, no filling)
Green candy melts or green fondant (for stems)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and pumpkin spice. Set aside.
In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla, mixing until smooth.
Stir in the sour cream (or yogurt). Add orange food coloring until you reach a bright pumpkin shade.
Gradually fold in the dry ingredients until just combined.
Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apart.
Bake for 10–12 minutes, until cookies are set but still soft. Cool completely on a wire rack.
Make the filling: Beat softened butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and cream together until fluffy and spreadable.
Spread or pipe filling onto half the cookies, then sandwich with the remaining cookies.
Dip or sprinkle the tops with crushed chocolate cookies to create the “dirt” look.
If desired, melt green candy melts and pipe small stems, or use fondant pieces to make pumpkins extra festive.

Cozy Kitchen Story

I’ll be honest—these cookies are dangerously fun to decorate. The first time I made them, I had my nieces in the kitchen helping, and we ended up with a tray full of pumpkin-shaped cookies that looked like they came straight from a storybook patch. Some had tall stems, others had tiny leaves, and all of them disappeared within minutes once we set them out.

They’re perfect for making ahead for a fall festival or even packaging in little treat bags for Halloween night. I also love bringing them to work during October—they’re a conversation starter and a guaranteed mood booster.

If you’re the kind of baker who loves treats that are cute, seasonal, and still easy, these Pumpkin Patch Cookies will become your new autumn favorite.