Directions

Directions for Making Cookies

1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets

   Start by preheating your oven to 375°F. 

   
   It’s perfectly OK to use ungreased cookie sheets, however, if you would prefer, you can line your baking sheets with parchment paper.

2. Prepare the Double Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

   In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine My Better Batch Double Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix, 8 tablespoons of softened unsalted butter, and 1 large egg. Mix on medium-low speed for about 2 minutes, or until everything is well combined. The dough may take some time to come together, so be patient!

   
   If you don't have a stand mixer, a hand mixer or even kneading the dough by hand will work just fine. For a demonstration of hand-kneading, watch the Double Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix video.

3. Scoop and Roll The Cookies 

   Scoop 2 tablespoons of cookie dough and gently roll the dough into a ball. Place each ball 2 ½ inches apart on a cookie sheet, giving each plenty of room to spread as the cookies bake.

4. Bake the Chocolate Cookies

   Bake each tray of cookies for 9-11 minutes at 375°F. Once the edges have set, remove from the oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes before removing from the baking sheet.

Directions for Making Pumpkin Spice Frosting

1. Prepare Your Ingredients

   Make sure the butter is softened to room temperature for easy mixing.

   
   If using canned pumpkin, place it in a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth and press out excess moisture to ensure your frosting isn't too runny.

2. Cream the Butter

   In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer or a stand mixer with a paddle attachment to beat the softened butter on medium speed until it's smooth and creamy, about 2-3 minutes.

3. Add the Pumpkin Puree

   Add the well-drained pumpkin puree to the creamed butter. Beat on medium speed until the mixture is fully combined and smooth, about 1-2 minutes. Make sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure even mixing.

4. Incorporate the Spices

   Add the vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ground ginger (if using) to the butter and pumpkin mixture. Beat on low speed until the spices are evenly distributed throughout the mixture. If using unsalted butter, add the salt at this stage as well.

5. Gradually Add the Powdered Sugar and Cornstarch

   Sift the powdered sugar and cornstarch together to remove any lumps. This step helps create a smoother frosting.

   
   Gradually add the powdered sugar and cornstarch mixture to the bowl, about 1 cup at a time, beating on low speed to avoid a sugar cloud. Once the sugar is mostly incorporated, increase the speed to medium and continue to beat until the frosting is smooth and fluffy. This process will take about 3-5 minutes. Be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl occasionally to ensure everything is well mixed.

6. Adjust the Consistency

   Check the frosting’s consistency. If it’s too thick, add a tablespoon of milk or heavy cream to thin it out, beating on medium speed until you reach your desired texture. If it’s too thin, add more powdered sugar, a tablespoon at a time, until it reaches your preferred thickness.

7. Taste and Adjust Spices

   Taste the frosting and adjust the spices if needed. Add a pinch more cinnamon or nutmeg for a stronger pumpkin spice flavor if desired.

Prepare the Decorative Ingredients

1. Crush Oreo Cookies

   Typically, the easiest way to crush Oreo cookies is to place them in a Ziploc bag and gently crush them with a rolling pin.

   
   For the final step, unwrap any decorative candies you’ve chosen for your cookies.

How to Decorate the Pumpkin Patch Cookies

1. Frost the Cooled Cookies 

   Once the cookies have cooled, spread or use a piping bag to apply a generous amount of frosting to each individual cookie.

2. Dip Frosted Cookies in Oreo Crumbs

   Before the pumpkin spice frosting sets, dip the cookies into the crushed Oreos to create an even layer of "soil." Alternatively, you can sprinkle the crushed Oreos over the cookies by hand. The Oreos resemble dark, rich soil, perfectly setting the scene for your pumpkin patch.

3. Add Pumpkin Candies 

   Carefully place the pumpkin candies on top of the crushed Oreos. Arrange the candies in small clusters or scatter them across the cookie to resemble pumpkins growing in a patch. 

   
   Press each candy gently into the frosting to secure them in place. The bright orange pumpkins will pop against the dark "soil," creating a delightful contrast that's as pleasing to the eyes as it is to the taste buds.