How to Carve a Pumpkin With a Cookie Cutter

Here’s the thing about me: I love a good time-saving hack. From jarred garlic to Bisquick beer bread, I’ve never met a corner I couldn’t cut.

That’s why I’m absolutely thrilled to report that carving an impressive pumpkin with a cookie cutter is not only possible, but also shockingly easy.

Corey Williams

I used a cat-shaped cookie cutter because I already had it and I’m obsessed with my cat (see above). Conveniently, the exact shape I used is sold in a 5-piece set of festive Halloween cookie cutters—but you can use whatever cookie cutter you like.

Buy it! $12.99, Amazon

So, without further ado, here’s a step-by-step cooking cutter carving guide:

WATCH: How to Make Pumpkin Fudge

Corey Williams

You’ll need a regular-sized hollowed pumpkin (read more about how to carve and de-seed a pumpkin here), a cookie cutter of your choice, a rubber mallet, and a pen. If you don’t have a rubber mallet, a regular ol’ hammer will work just fine.

Note: Depending on the thickness of your pumpkin, you may need a serrated knife to finish cutting out your shape.

Related: How to Roast Pumpkin Seeds Perfectly Every Time

Corey Williams

Place the cookie cutter onto the part of the pumpkin you want to carve. Lightly trace the shape from the inside of the cookie cutter. This outline will serve as your guide in the next step.

Corey Williams

Using the outline as a guide, carefully pound the cookie cutter into the pumpkin. The shape should slide relatively easily into the skin.

Depending on the thickness of your pumpkin, you may need to use a knife to finish cutting the shape.

Corey Williams

Corey Williams

Corey Williams

The shape will be a little rough around the edges at first. To clean it up a bit, slide the cookie cutter through the hole one more time.

Corey Williams

Corey Williams