Description
Tender and sweet with just the right spice, these cookies feature a soft pumpkin base and a thick swirl of tangy frosting — perfect for fall baking.
Ingredients
For the Pumpkin Cookies:
2½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
½ cup light brown sugar
1 cup canned pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
1 large egg
1½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
8 oz block-style cream cheese, softened but cool
½ cup unsalted butter, softened but cool
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2½ cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
Instructions
Preheat Oven:
Preheat to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Mix Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice, and salt.
Cream Butter and Sugars:
In a large bowl, beat butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
Add Wet Ingredients:
Mix in pumpkin puree, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth.
Combine Wet and Dry:
Gradually mix dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined. Dough will be soft and sticky.
Scoop and Bake:
Drop dough by heaping tablespoons (or use a medium cookie scoop) onto prepared sheets, spacing 2 inches apart.
Bake for 13–15 minutes or until edges are set and tops look soft but cooked.
Cool:
Let cookies cool on the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Prepare Frosting:
Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth (about 30 seconds). Add vanilla, then gradually beat in confectioners’ sugar until fluffy and spreadable.
Frost Cookies:
Once cookies are fully cool, spread frosting on top using a spatula or knife. Optional: sprinkle with cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice.
Notes
For extra flair, top frosted cookies with chopped pecans or a dusting of nutmeg.
To avoid runny frosting, make sure cream cheese and butter are softened but not too warm.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 13–15 minutes per batch
- Category: Dessert, Cookies
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
