Originally published in August 2020 in Rue Morgue Magazine | Updated October 2021
If there’s one flavor that screams the fall season, it’s pumpkin spice. It’s as essential to the season as candy corn, haunted houses, and following Sam’s—the pint-sized, candy-wielding enforcer of Trick’ r Treat—strict Halloween rules. Sam would be severely unimpressed with a plain old pie. So, let’s go for something with a little more bite (pun fully intended).
Behold Sam’s Pumpkin Spice Cookie Cake! This chewy, spooky dessert is a unique blend of all the fall flavors you crave, packed with the unmistakable taste of pumpkin spice.
One bite and you might be able to ignore the jack-o’-lantern you blew out too early or the trick-or-treaters you ghosted at the door. Don’t worry; this cookie cake might just earn you a pass from Sam himself. But… let’s not push our luck, okay?
What Makes This A Killer Recipe
- So Easy, Even the Undead Could Do It: No fancy techniques or tools required.
- Fall Flavor Overload: It’s like your favorite cookies and pumpkin pie had a baby…and it looks like Sam from Trick r Treat. Aww…
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Got a fright-filled Halloween schedule? You can bake this cookie cake up to three days in advance. Just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container at room temperature. For extra freshness, refrigerate it and bring it to room temperature before serving.
Sam's Pumpkin Spice Cookie Cake Recipe
- Yield1 Cookie Cake
What You Need
Cookie Cake Ingredients
- ½ cup salted butter, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup dark brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup pumpkin puree (not pie filling—there's a huge difference)
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- ¾ teaspoon baking powder
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
For Decorating/Serving
- Dark chocolate, melted
- Whipped cream or vanilla bean ice cream
What To Do
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Spray an 8-inch cake pan with non-stick spray and line it with parchment paper.
In a mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugars until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Throw in the egg, vanilla, pumpkin puree, and pumpkin pie spice, and mix like your life depends on it.
In another bowl, sift together the flour and baking powder. Slowly add this to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. The batter should be very thick.
Pour the batter into your prepared cake pan and smooth it out with a spatula. Give the pan a little shake to level things out.
Bake for 25-30 minutes until the center is set and the edges are golden brown. If it starts browning too quickly, loosely cover it with foil—nothing ruins Halloween like burnt offerings.
Once fully baked, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool completely in the pan. I know it’s tempting to dig in immediately but resist the urge—it will crumble and fall to pieces.
After the cake has cooled, transfer it to a serving plate. Melt the dark chocolate and use it to recreate Sam’s iconic lollipop grimace.
Slice it up and serve with a ginormous dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. I recommend slightly re-heating each serving before adding the whipped cream or ice cream. Calories don’t count on Halloween—you’ll burn them off while trick-or-treating!
Pro Tips for the Perfect Bake
- Don’t Overmix! You should be the only tough cookie in the kitchen! Stir the batter just until everything is combined. Overmixing turns this cake from soft and chewy into something Sam might use as a weapon.
- Bring it Back From the Dead: Have leftovers? Pop a slice in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds to resurrect it and give it that “fresh-out-of-the-oven” vibe. Because nothing beats warm cake + slightly-melted ice cream.
Whether you’re binging a horror marathon (which, let’s be honest, you should be) or just need something festive to sink your teeth into, this pumpkin spice cookie cake is a must. It’s soft, chewy, and loaded with enough fall flavor to appease the appetites of even the most ardent Halloween enthusiasts. And who knows? Maybe it’ll prevent Sam from turning up at your door with his killer lollipop.
Hungry for More Halloween Cookie Cakes?
Sink your fangs into these other frightfully good recipes:
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If you whip up this killer cookie cake, I want to see it! Snap a pic, tag me on Instagram, and share your terrifyingly tasty creations using #HomicidalHomemaker.
Stay spooky, keep your pumpkins lit, and for the love of all things Halloween – follow the rules!
