If you’re ready to welcome the flavors of fall in the most delightful way possible, these Pumpkin Cookies are exactly what your kitchen needs. Soft, tender, and bursting with warm pumpkin spice goodness, these cookies bring that cozy autumn spirit straight to your taste buds. With a luscious cream cheese frosting layered on top, each bite offers a perfect balance of sweet and tangy that makes these Pumpkin Cookies a true crowd-pleaser. Whether for a holiday treat or a simple afternoon indulgence, this recipe turns humble ingredients into a mouthwatering experience that you’ll want to share again and again.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of these Pumpkin Cookies lies in their simple yet essential ingredients, each selected to create a tender texture, rich flavor, and that irresistible pumpkin warmth. Every staple in your pantry plays a key role, from the comforting pumpkin spice to the luscious cream cheese frosting that crowns every cookie.

All-purpose flour: The foundation for structure, making the cookies soft but sturdy.
Pumpkin spice: This blend is the soul of the flavor, delivering cozy warmth and a hint of sweetness.
Baking soda and baking powder: These leavening agents ensure the cookies rise perfectly and have that tender crumb.
Salt: Amplifies the sweetness and balances the spices beautifully.
Granulated and brown sugar: Together they provide depth of sweetness and a slight chewiness in the final cookie.
Butter: Adds richness and moisture, creating that soft cookie texture.
Canned pumpkin: Infuses the cookie with natural pumpkin flavor and moisture.
Eggs: Bind all ingredients together while adding moisture and richness.
Vanilla extract: Lifts the flavor, adding a subtle sweet and floral note.
Cream cheese (for frosting): Brings tangy creaminess that perfectly complements the spices.
Confectioners sugar: Sweetens and smooths the frosting for the ideal finish.
Milk and dash of salt (for frosting): Adjust the frosting texture and balance sweetness.

How to Make Pumpkin Cookies

Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Ingredients

Begin by preheating your oven to 350° F and greasing your baking sheets. This step is crucial to ensure your pumpkin cookies bake evenly and don’t stick. Meanwhile, mix together the dry ingredients — flour, baking soda, baking powder, pumpkin spice, and a pinch of salt — in a medium bowl. This guarantees that every bite has that perfect mix of flavor and texture.

Step 2: Cream the Sugars and Butter

In a large mixing bowl, beat the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and softened butter until the mixture is smooth and creamy. This creates a fluffy base that traps air, helping your cookies bake light and tender. The combination of sugars also gives your cookies just the right touch of sweetness and chew.

Step 3: Incorporate Pumpkin, Eggs, and Vanilla

Next, add the canned pumpkin, eggs, and vanilla extract into your creamed mixture, beating until everything is smoothly combined. The pumpkin keeps the cookies moist while infusing that classic autumn flavor, and the eggs help bind everything together.

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients with Wet Mixture

Gradually add your flour mixture into the wet pumpkin batter, beating until just blended. Avoid overmixing here, or your cookies might turn out tough. This step ensures your cookie dough is perfectly textured for baking.

Step 5: Scoop and Bake

Using a rounded tablespoon or a cookie scoop, drop dough onto your prepared baking sheets. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the edges are firm and golden but the center remains soft. Once done, allow the cookies to cool slightly before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. This rest time helps the cookies set and makes them easier to frost.

Step 6: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting

While your cookies cool, it’s frosting time! Beat softened cream cheese and butter together until light and creamy. Then stir in vanilla extract followed by confectioners sugar gradually until smooth. Add a splash of milk if the frosting needs to be thinner. Finish with a pinch of salt to balance the sweetness perfectly.

Step 7: Frost and Set

Spread the luscious cream cheese frosting generously over each cooled cookie. Let the frosted Pumpkin Cookies sit on a baking rack to allow the frosting to set properly. Storing them in the refrigerator afterward keeps that frosting delightfully firm.

How to Serve Pumpkin Cookies

Garnishes

Sprinkle a bit of cinnamon or extra pumpkin spice on top of the frosting for a pretty touch and an extra flavor boost. You can also add finely chopped nuts or a drizzle of melted white chocolate to make the cookies look even more inviting and add some interesting textures.

Side Dishes

Serve these Pumpkin Cookies alongside a warm cup of chai tea, rich coffee, or a cozy mug of hot apple cider. A scoop of vanilla ice cream also pairs beautifully for an indulgent dessert experience. The creamy contrasts and warm spices complement each other perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

For a seasonal party, arrange the Pumpkin Cookies on a rustic wooden board with autumn leaves for decoration. You might even sandwich two frosted cookies together for a fun twist. Gift them in cute mason jars or wrapped with festive ribbons to brighten someone’s day with pumpkin-spiced joy.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After frosting the cookies, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They keep well for about 4 to 5 days, remaining soft and flavorful. Make sure the container is well-sealed to prevent the cookies from drying out and to keep the frosting fresh.

Freezing

You can freeze both the unfrosted cookies and the cream cheese frosting separately. Wrap the cooled cookies tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. When ready, thaw overnight in the fridge before frosting and serving for the best texture.

Reheating

If you want your Pumpkin Cookies just slightly warm, pop them in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds before enjoying. This small step brings out the flavors and softens the frosting just enough without melting it away. Avoid reheating too long or the texture can change.

FAQs

Can I use fresh pumpkin instead of canned pumpkin?

Yes, but be sure to cook and puree the fresh pumpkin until smooth and drain any excess moisture. Canned pumpkin offers consistent moisture and texture, but fresh pumpkin works beautifully with a little prep.

Is it possible to make these Pumpkin Cookies gluten-free?

Absolutely! You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that measures cup-for-cup. Just ensure your leavening agents and spices are gluten-free, too.

How long do Pumpkin Cookies stay fresh at room temperature?

Without frosting, these cookies can stay fresh at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Once frosted, they are best refrigerated to keep the cream cheese frosting safe and delicious.

Can I omit the cream cheese frosting and still enjoy the cookies?

Definitely! The cookies themselves are soft, flavorful, and tasty on their own. The frosting is a lovely addition but not essential if you prefer a simpler treat.

What substitutions can I make for butter?

You can use margarine or a non-dairy buttery spread in equal amounts if you need a dairy-free option. The flavor might differ slightly, but the cookies will still turn out delicious.

Final Thoughts

These Pumpkin Cookies are one of those recipes that brings warmth and happiness to the kitchen with every batch. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or just indulging yourself, the tender texture, cozy spices, and creamy frosting make every bite feel like a little celebration of fall. I truly hope you give this recipe a try and find yourself coming back for more, because once you experience these Pumpkin Cookies, they become an instant favorite you’ll want to share with everyone you love.

Pumpkin Cookies Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 7 reviews

Author: Harry
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: About 24 cookies 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Delight in the cozy flavors of fall with these soft and moist Pumpkin Cookies topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting. Perfectly spiced with pumpkin spice and pumpkin puree, these cookies offer a comforting treat that’s ideal for the holiday season or anytime you’re craving a sweet, seasonal dessert.

Instructions

Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease baking sheets or line them with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, pumpkin spice, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined.
Cream Sugar and Butter: Using a large mixer bowl, beat the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and softened butter together until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the pumpkin puree, then add the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract, mixing thoroughly until the batter is smooth and uniform.
Combine Mixtures: Gradually add the dry flour mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until all the flour is fully incorporated and the dough forms.
Shape Cookies: Drop the dough by rounded tablespoons or use a 1-tablespoon cookie scoop and place them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheets.
Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 18 minutes or until the edges are set and firm. The centers will remain soft.
Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 2 minutes, then transfer them to wire racks to cool completely.
Prepare Frosting: In a medium bowl, cream together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy. Mix in the vanilla extract.
Add Sugar and Adjust Consistency: Gradually stir in the confectioners’ sugar until the frosting is thick and fluffy. Add a dash of milk if the consistency is too thick to spread.
Frost Cookies: Spread the cream cheese frosting over the cooled cookies evenly and allow the frosting to set on a cooling rack.
Store: Store the frosted cookies in the refrigerator to keep the cream cheese frosting fresh. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

Make sure the cream cheese and butter for the frosting are softened to achieve a smooth texture.
You can add chopped nuts or chocolate chips to the cookie dough for added texture and flavor.
Allow cookies to cool completely before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
Store cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
For a gluten-free option, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15-18 minutes
Category: Dessert, Cookies
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American