Who couldn’t use a little extra love and money these days? With the holidays right around the corner, I thought I’d share a recipe for a sweet, magical treat that will bless your friends and family with money, love, blessings, and protection. Since Thanksgiving for many represents community and cohesion, this recipe can be adjusted for our vegetarian and vegan loved ones to enjoy as well!

Pumpkin Spice Sugar Hearts

Yields about 20 cookies.

You Will Need:

1/2 cup butter (If you are vegan, substitute with applesauce, almond butter, or coconut oil)
Heart-shaped cookie cutter
1 cup white sugar separated into 1/2 cups 
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup pumpkin puree
1 1/2 all-purpose flour (sub up to 1/3 whole-wheat pastry)
1/2 tbsp arrowroot powder (for thickening/binding)
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/2 tsp anise seed
3/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tbsp unsweetened almond or oat milk 

Start by bringing the butter or applesauce to room temperature in a large mixing bowl. Mix for about a minute with a hand mixer. Pray over the brown sugar, white sugar (1/2 cup) and vanilla that all who eat these cookies find sweetness and love in their homes and hearts. Mix these into the butter or sauce along with some pumpkin puree which draws in money. Mix until smooth and set aside.

Using a saucepan, heat some of the Anise seeds in the almond or oat milk on a low heat for about three minutes. Anise lends protection to keep your loved ones safe. Try not to scald the milk or let it boil over. Once the time is up, take it off the heat, strain out the seeds and set aside. 

Using a sifter, sift your arrowroot powder (attracts good luck), salt (protective), cinnamon (brings luck in money and love), flour, baking powder and baking soda into the bowl with the butter. Use your mixing spoon to stir the strained milk into the batter mix. As you do this, stir clockwise praying as you go. You may pray Psalm 23 while you do this as it said to “cover all conditions.”

Once everything is mixed into a soft dough, cover bowl with cling wrap and set in fridge for 30 minutes. While dough rests, set oven to 375 and preheat for 30 minutes. Form ping-pong sized dough balls on parchment lined or greased baking tray. If using a cookie cutter, use a glass bottom  to press dough in circles before cutting out. Mix the remaining half cup of sugar with Pumpkin Spice mix, to attract money, and dust each heart. Leave room between cookies so they don’t smoosh. 

Bake your hearts for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Once cooled, these can be further frosted (should you choose), or wrapped in a decorative box and sent to your loved ones! They may also be kept in the freezer for up to a month, should you want more for your next holiday.

Good Luck & Happy Baking!