Description
Delight in these soft and flavorful pumpkin cookies topped with creamy, tangy cream cheese frosting. Perfectly spiced with pumpkin pie spice, these autumn-inspired treats are easy to bake and ideal for fall celebrations or cozy afternoons.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 cup canned pumpkin purée
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Frosting Ingredients
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1–2 tablespoons milk, as needed for consistency
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and pumpkin pie spice until well combined for balanced flavor and leavening.
- Cream sugars and butter: In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which ensures a tender cookie texture.
- Add pumpkin and egg: Beat in the pumpkin purée, egg, and vanilla extract into the creamed mixture until fully incorporated, providing moisture and richness.
- Combine dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms, avoiding overmixing to keep cookies soft.
- Shape cookies: Drop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake cookies: Bake for 12–14 minutes or until cookie edges are set and tops appear dry, indicating they are perfectly baked without being overdone.
- Cool cookies: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes to firm up, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
- Prepare frosting: Beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract and beat until creamy, then add milk gradually to reach spreadable consistency.
- Frost cookies: Once cookies are fully cooled, evenly spread the cream cheese frosting on top and serve fresh for best taste and texture.
Notes
- Store cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.
- For extra flavor, sprinkle cinnamon on top of the frosting or add chopped pecans as a garnish.
- You can freeze the unfrosted cookies and frost them just before serving to preserve their texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
