Halloween: Finding Sweetness in the Shadows
Yard Goals: This Spooky Skeleton is a Halloween Mood!
Have you ever felt that Halloween just isn’t your overflowing cauldron of some witch’s brew? If so, you’re not alone. For some, the spooky season carries a darker memory, and I’m here to share mine, which might resonate with some of you that aren’t the fondest of this holiday.
When I was a kid, I had a chilling Halloween experience that tainted my perspective on the holiday. I was staying at a neighbor’s house, where the babysitters decided to play a prank on us. They convinced me and a group of children that an intruder had entered the house, and chaotic terror ensued as they staged a bloody crime scene with eerie precision.
Terrified, we were told to hide in a dark closet for “safety.” The minutes (but actually it was the whole day) dragged on as we listened to ominous sounds from outside the closet door, believing the worst was happening. Eventually, the sitters revealed it was all a prank, but not before 6 year old me was traumatized by slasher stories and jump scares from people in masks.
Since then, I’ve never really been a fan of Halloween. It’s a time of year that seems to revel in fear, with abrupt knocks at the door, costumes without faces and the unnerving audacity of a person standing in silence expecting me to give them candy. I don’t like it. And I especially don’t like it if I’m alone. Off experiences, be it that particular Halloween and other such creepy encounters have made it difficult to embrace the spooky festivities. Throw in the death of my parents, the covid pandemic, and just the inescapability of daily news headline saturated in fear and violence only further encourages me to opt out of this holiday.
But if you can relate to this sentiment, fear not! I have an alternative way to spend Halloween that doesn’t involve trickery or terror. Instead of cowering in the shadows, let’s embrace the spirit of the season in a more heartwarming way. In a delicious way. And to be honest, it is a little bit scary cause it vegan and gluten-free. I know, sheer yikes!
Indulge in the holiday sweetness: Vegan, Gluten-Free Pumpkin Cookies with Maple Glaze.
Gluten-Free and Vegan-Friendly Pumpkin Cookies with Maple Glaze
To keep the Halloween spirit alive without the frights, I’ve got a special treat for ya - a recipe for gluten-free, vegan-friendly pumpkin cookies with a drizzle of maple glaze. Shocking as it might sound, these cookies are delicious and nut-free too!
Cookie Ingredients:
- 1 1/4 cup Gluten-free baking mix
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 3/4 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/3 cup coconut oil
- 1 1/2 tsp fresh grated ginger
- 1 flax egg (mix 1 tbsp ground flax seed with 2 tbsp water)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
Maple Glaze Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tbsp soy milk
Mix ingredients together in a small bowl, adjusting the glaze by adding a bit more powdered sugar or milk if necessary to obtain your desired consistency. I drizzled the glaze on top but you could also opt for dipping the cookies in the glaze if you prefer.
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a large bowl combine the flour mix, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- In another large bowl, mix the brown sugar, flax egg mixture, pumpkin puree, coconut oil, and the fresh grated ginger until all ingredients are well blended.
- Then add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and combine until everything is thoroughly mixed. This batter is on the wetter side and definitely feels more like a batter than a cookie "dough". If you feel suspicious about the dough running while baking, slowly incorporate a bit more of the gluten-free flour mix.
- Next, scoop small spoonfuls onto a parchment line baking sheet and then place in the preheated oven and bake for 13 to 16 minutes or until the tops turn lightly golden and begin to crack.
- Let cool on the pan before glazing so the drizzle doesn't melt off.
- Drizzle the maple glaze back and forth over the cookies and let the glaze set before transferring to a rack or platter.
This Halloween, I’m all about creating a warm and inviting atmosphere, sharing delicious treats, and spending quality time with a good friend or two. We don’t have to be fans of being scared to enjoy the spirit of the season. So, whether you choose to cozy up with a good book, have a movie night with friends, or even just enjoy the sweet comforts of home, there are countless ways to make Halloween your own.
Embrace the warmth of the season, and remember, it’s perfectly okay if Halloween isn’t your favorite holiday. There’s sweetness in the shadows with these gluten-free, vegan pumpkin cookies!