Description
These Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting are delightfully chewy and moist, featuring warm pumpkin pie spices in a tender cookie paired perfectly with a rich, creamy frosting. Ideal for fall gatherings or holiday treats, these cookies combine the comforting flavors of pumpkin and spice with a luscious cream cheese topping.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cookies
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 1 1/4 cups pumpkin puree
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cookie removal.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, use a mixer to beat the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar together until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Add in the pumpkin puree, egg, and vanilla extract, mixing until fully combined for a moist and flavorful base.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice, and salt. This ensures the leavening agents and spices are evenly distributed in the dough.
- Form the Cookie Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredient bowl, mixing until just combined to avoid overworking the dough, which can make cookies tough.
- Scoop and Bake: Using a cookie scoop or spoon, place dollops of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving enough space between them to allow spreading. Bake for 13 to 15 minutes, with slightly longer time for larger cookies, until edges are set but centers remain soft.
- Cool Cookies: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool completely on a wire rack to ensure the cream cheese frosting does not melt when applied.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Frosting: Beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing until the frosting is light and spreadable.
- Frost the Cookies: Once the cookies are completely cooled, generously spread the cream cheese frosting over each cookie. Optionally, sprinkle with extra pumpkin pie spice or chopped nuts for added flavor and texture.
Notes
- Ensure the butter and cream cheese are fully softened before mixing to avoid lumps in the frosting.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
- Cookies can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Adding chopped nuts or a sprinkle of cinnamon on top adds a nice crunch and extra spice.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: pumpkin cookies, cream cheese frosting, soft pumpkin cookies, fall cookies, pumpkin spice cookies, chewy cookies, holiday treats
