Description
These Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting are a delightful fall treat featuring tender, spiced pumpkin-flavored cookies topped with a rich, creamy frosting. Perfect for Thanksgiving or any cozy autumn gathering, these cookies combine warm pumpkin pie spices with a luscious cream cheese topping for a melt-in-your-mouth experience.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 1 1/4 cups pumpkin puree
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 3 tbsp butter
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Prepare Cookie Dough: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar together until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Then, mix in the pumpkin puree, egg, and vanilla extract until fully combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agents and spices.
- Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined to avoid overworking the dough and maintain soft texture.
- Shape Cookies: Scoop spoonfuls of the dough onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving enough space between each cookie for spreading during baking.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 13–15 minutes, or slightly longer if making larger cookies; the edges should be set but the cookies still soft in the center.
- Cool Cookies: Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool completely on a wire rack to firm up before frosting.
- Make Frosting: Beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy, then gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing until the frosting is light and fluffy.
- Frost Cookies: Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled cookies. Optionally, sprinkle with extra pumpkin pie spice or chopped nuts for added flavor and texture.
Notes
- For best results, use fresh pumpkin puree or well-drained canned pumpkin to avoid excess moisture in the dough.
- Do not overmix the dough once dry ingredients are added to keep the cookies tender.
- Allow cookies to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting the cream cheese frosting.
- Store frosted cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- These cookies can be frozen without frosting; thaw completely, then frost before serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: pumpkin cookies, cream cheese frosting, fall cookies, soft cookies, pumpkin spice, Thanksgiving dessert
