As the crisp autumn air arrives and leaves turn golden, there’s nothing quite like the comforting aroma of freshly baked pumpkin goods filling your home. These delightful Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting are a true testament to fall’s finest flavors, offering a quick and easy way to enjoy the season’s signature ingredient. Each bite delivers a wonderfully soft and chewy cookie infused with rich pumpkin puree and aromatic pumpkin pie spice, perfectly complemented by a luscious, tangy cream cheese frosting. This recipe isn’t just a dessert; it’s an experience, a simple pleasure that brings warmth and joy, making it an absolute must-try for any autumn baking enthusiast. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting, these **soft pumpkin cookies** promise a gratifying treat that captures the essence of the season.
If you adore pumpkin cookies as much as we do, you’ll want to explore these other fantastic variations. They offer diverse textures and flavor profiles, ensuring there’s a **pumpkin cookie recipe** for every craving:
- Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cookies
- Pumpkin Spice Snickerdoodles
- Pumpkin Cookies with White Chocolate Chips
Irresistible Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting: Your Ultimate Fall Treat
There’s something undeniably magical about **pumpkin cookies** as the weather cools. Our recipe for these incredibly soft **pumpkin cream cheese cookies** stands out, crafted with genuine pumpkin puree, a generous blend of warming pumpkin pie spices, and crowned with an irresistible, luxurious cream cheese frosting. They are designed to be effortlessly delicious and impress everyone who tastes them. While perfectly delightful spread simply with a spatula, for those special occasions or when you simply want to add a touch of elegance, consider piping the frosting using a star tip. A final delicate sprinkle of extra pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon can elevate their visual appeal and intensify the autumnal aroma. Or, for a less indulgent but equally delicious option, enjoy the plain **chewy pumpkin cookies** on their own – they’re wonderfully versatile!
Key Ingredients for Perfect Pumpkin Cookies and Frosting
- Pumpkin Puree – The heart of our **pumpkin cookie recipe**. Opt for plain canned pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling, which contains added sugars and spices that would alter the final taste and texture. For the best results, always blot your pumpkin puree with a paper towel. This crucial step removes excess moisture, preventing your cookies from becoming too cakey or sticky. You can also use homemade pumpkin puree if you have it on hand, just ensure it’s well-drained.
- Sugars (Granulated & Brown) – The combination of granulated sugar and light brown sugar is key to achieving the perfect balance of sweetness and a wonderfully chewy texture. Granulated sugar provides crispness, while brown sugar contributes to the moistness and adds subtle caramel notes that complement the pumpkin beautifully.
- Egg Yolks – Due to the inherent moisture from the pumpkin puree, this recipe specifically calls for only egg yolks. The yolks add richness and tenderness without introducing excessive liquid, which can lead to a less desirable cake-like consistency. You can save the egg whites for another recipe, like meringues or an omelet.
- Pumpkin Pie Spice – This blend of warm spices is essential for that iconic **fall flavor**. It typically includes cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves, all of which enhance the natural sweetness of the pumpkin. If you don’t have pumpkin pie spice, a simple substitution of ground cinnamon will still yield a delicious result, though with a slightly different depth of flavor.
- Baking Powder and Baking Soda – These two leavening agents work in harmony to give the **pumpkin cookies** their signature soft and slightly puffy texture. Baking powder provides an initial lift, while baking soda reacts with the acidic pumpkin puree and brown sugar to ensure a tender crumb and even rise.
- Cream Cheese – For the quintessential **cream cheese frosting**, it’s vital that your cream cheese is at room temperature. This ensures a smooth, lump-free frosting that’s easy to spread or pipe. Forgot to take it out? A quick 10-second microwave zap can help soften it without melting, but be careful not to overheat.
- Butter – Just like the cream cheese, room temperature butter is non-negotiable for a fluffy frosting. Softened butter creams beautifully with the cream cheese and powdered sugar, creating a light, airy, and spreadable topping that won’t separate.
How to Make Delicious Cream Cheese Pumpkin Cookies: A Step-by-Step Guide
Crafting these **soft pumpkin cookies with cream cheese frosting** is a straightforward and rewarding baking project. Follow these detailed steps to ensure perfectly tender, flavorful cookies every time, crowned with irresistible creamy frosting.
- Prepare Your Workspace: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line 1-2 baking sheets with parchment paper. This simple step prevents sticking, promotes even baking, and makes cleanup a breeze. Set them aside.
- Drain Pumpkin Puree: This is a critical step for perfect **soft pumpkin cookies**. Measure your pumpkin puree and place it in a bowl lined with several layers of paper towels. Allow it to sit for at least 20 minutes. This process significantly reduces the moisture content, preventing sticky, cakey cookies and promoting that delightful chewy texture we’re aiming for. Don’t skip it!
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice, and salt. Mixing these dry ingredients thoroughly ensures that the leavening agents and spices are evenly distributed throughout the dough, guaranteeing a consistent flavor and rise in every cookie.
- Mix Wet Ingredients & Form Dough: Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the room temperature butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar on medium speed for about 2 minutes, until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale. This aeration is key for soft cookies. Next, add the egg yolks, vanilla extract, and the *drained* pumpkin puree. Mix until just combined. Gradually add the prepared dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until the cookie dough comes together. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough cookies.
- Scoop the Cookies: Using a small ice cream scoop or a spoon, portion the dough into 1-inch to 1¼-inch balls. Roll them gently if needed, then arrange them about 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheets. This spacing allows for proper air circulation and prevents the cookies from baking into each other.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake in the preheated 350°F oven for 8-10 minutes. The cookies are ready when their edges are lightly golden brown and the centers are set but still soft. Avoid overbaking to maintain their tender texture; they will continue to set slightly as they cool.
- Cool Completely: Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and let them rest on the baking sheet for a few minutes. This allows them to firm up slightly before transferring. Then, carefully move them to a wire rack to cool completely. Cooling completely is essential before frosting, otherwise, your luscious cream cheese frosting will melt.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Frosting: In the clean bowl of your stand mixer with the paddle attachment, beat the room temperature butter until it’s light and fluffy, usually 2-3 minutes. Add the softened cream cheese and continue to beat for another 2 minutes until fully combined and airy. This creates the perfect creamy base. Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing on low speed to avoid a cloud of sugar, until fully incorporated. Stir in the vanilla extract, then beat on high speed for a final 30 seconds to ensure a light and incredibly fluffy consistency.
- Frost & Garnish: For a professional touch, transfer the finished cream cheese frosting to a piping bag fitted with your favorite large tip (a star tip works beautifully). Pipe generous swirls or dollops onto each cooled **pumpkin cookie**. For an extra flourish, dust the tops with a little more pumpkin pie spice or ground cinnamon. Now, they are ready to be savored! These frosted **fall cookies** are truly a seasonal delight.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pumpkin Cookies
Yes, due to the cream cheese frosting, these delectable **pumpkin cookies** must be refrigerated. Store them in an airtight container to maintain their freshness and prevent them from drying out. They will stay delicious in the fridge for up to 4 days. If you plan to serve them unfrosted, the plain cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for about the same duration.
A sticky texture in your **pumpkin cookies** often indicates excessive moisture. The most common culprit is not draining the pumpkin puree thoroughly. Always place the pumpkin puree in a paper towel-lined bowl and let it sit for about 20 minutes before incorporating it into the dough. This simple step is vital for achieving the desired soft, chewy, and non-sticky cookie texture.
It’s highly recommended to use plain pumpkin puree, either canned or homemade, for this recipe. Do not substitute pumpkin pie filling. Pumpkin pie filling contains added spices and sweeteners that are specifically formulated for pies and will significantly alter the flavor profile and texture of your **pumpkin cookies**, leading to an unbalanced and potentially overly sweet result.
Storing and Freezing Instructions for Your Pumpkin Cookies
- Refrigerator: Keep your frosted **pumpkin cookies** fresh by storing them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The cream cheese frosting itself can also be stored separately in the fridge for up to 1 week, allowing you to frost cookies as needed.
- Freezer: For long-term storage or meal prep, both the portioned cookie dough and the baked (unfrosted) cookies freeze beautifully. Store either in an airtight freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2 months. To bake frozen cookie dough, simply arrange the frozen dough balls on baking sheets while your oven preheats, then bake according to the recipe instructions, potentially adding a minute or two to the bake time. This makes enjoying **freshly baked pumpkin cookies** incredibly convenient!
Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
The Carefree Kitchen
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Ingredients
- 1¼ cups pumpkin puree
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup butter, room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 2 large egg yolks
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- 1/4 cup butter, room temperature
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line 1-2 baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
- Place the pumpkin puree in a paper towel lined bowl to drain some of the excess moisture. Let the pumpkin sit for 20 minutes before using.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, pumpkin spice, and salt. Mix well. In the bowl of a stand mixer, add the room temperature butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Cream together using the paddle attachment until it is light and fluffy, or about 2 minutes. Add the egg yolks, vanilla, and drained pumpkin puree. Mix until just combined.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix on low speed until the cookie dough is combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Use a small ice cream scoop or a spoon to scoop and roll all of the dough into 1″ – 1¼” dough balls. Place about 2″ apart on prepared baking sheets.
- Bake in a preheated 350-degree oven for 8-10 minutes, or until golden brown on the edges and centers are set.
- Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack and let them cool completely.
Cream Cheese Frosting
- Add the room temperature butter to the bowl of a stand mixer and beat with the paddle attachment until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Add the room temperature cream cheese and beat again until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes more.
- Next, add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Mix on low speed until fully incorporated, then beat on high for about 30 seconds until the frosting is light and fluffy.
- Place the frosting in a piping bag with a large tip. Pipe the cream cheese frosting onto the cooled cookies, then sprinkle the tops with a little extra pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon. Enjoy!
Notes
Make-ahead tips: You can store the portioned cookie dough in the freezer for up to 2 months. To bake the frozen cookie dough, just pull from the freezer onto baking sheets while the oven is preheating and bake as directed, adding a minute or two to the baking time.
Nutrition
Calories: 286kcal |
Carbohydrates: 49g |
Protein: 2g |
Fat: 10g |
Saturated Fat: 6g |
Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g |
Monounsaturated Fat: 3g |
Trans Fat: 0.2g |
Cholesterol: 40mg |
Sodium: 174mg |
Potassium: 86mg |
Fiber: 1g |
Sugar: 38g |
Vitamin A: 2311IU |
Vitamin C: 1mg |
Calcium: 34mg |
1mg
Disclaimer: Nutritional values were calculated using a third-party tool and are provided as an estimation only.
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More of the Best Pumpkin Recipes to Celebrate Fall
Looking for more ways to celebrate the taste of autumn? Dive into our collection of **best pumpkin recipes**, perfect for any occasion, from cozy family dinners to festive gatherings. Whether you crave a classic pie or a decadent cheesecake, these recipes will inspire your fall baking adventures:
- Pumpkin Cupcakes
- Fluffy Pumpkin Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting
- The Best Pumpkin Pie
- Pumpkin Spice Snickerdoodles
- Pumpkin No Bake Cheesecake
- Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes
- Pumpkin Roll
- Pumpkin Crunch Bars
- Pumpkin Fluff
- More Pumpkin Desserts
- More Best Cookie Recipes
These soft and tender **Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting** are more than just a seasonal treat; they’re an invitation to embrace the comforting flavors of autumn. Remarkably easy to prepare, these **chewy pumpkin cookies** are generously spiced, offering a delightful texture that perfectly harmonizes with the rich, creamy, and tangy frosting. Prepare a batch today and share the warmth and joy of these ultimate **fall cookies** with loved ones. They’re guaranteed to become a cherished part of your **fall dessert** repertoire!