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Soft Pumpkin Cookies Recipe

Soft Pumpkin Cookies Recipe

Soft Pumpkin Cookies are fluffy, spiced cookies made with pumpkin puree and finished with rich cream cheese frosting.
Ready in just 30 minutes with no chilling required, they are a simple, bakery-style fall dessert perfect for holidays, gatherings, or everyday comfort baking.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Frosting Time 5 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 24 Cookies
Calories: 262

Ingredients
  

Pumpkin Cookies
  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
  • 1 large egg room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup canned pumpkin puree blotted dry
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
Cream Cheese Frosting
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 8 ounces cream cheese softened
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • Electric hand mixer or stand mixer
  • Rubber spatula
  • Cookie scoop or tablespoon
  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • Wire cooling rack

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, beat the butter on medium-high speed for about 1 minute until smooth. Add the sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice. Beat until well combined, scraping down the sides as needed.
  3. Add the egg and vanilla extract. Beat until fully incorporated and no streaks remain. Mix in the blotted pumpkin puree until combined.
  4. With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the flour. Increase speed slightly and mix until fully incorporated. The dough will be soft and slightly wet.
  5. Scoop heaping tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them a few inches apart. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the tops are set and no longer look wet.
  6. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
  7. To make the frosting, beat the butter and cream cheese together until smooth and creamy. Sift in the powdered sugar, add the vanilla, and beat until light and fluffy. Frost the cooled cookies generously.

Notes

Soft Pumpkin Cookies are tender, warmly spiced, and topped with smooth cream cheese frosting that perfectly complements the pumpkin flavor.
Quick to prepare and incredibly soft, they are a cozy fall favorite that feels like it belongs in every autumn baking tradition.