Description
Deliciously soft pumpkin cookies topped with creamy frosting, perfect for fall gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (for frosting)
- 2–4 tablespoons milk (or heavy cream), to achieve desired frosting consistency
Instructions
- Whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.
- Cream the softened butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl or stand mixer until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes.
- Beat in the pumpkin puree until incorporated, then add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth.
- Gradually mix in the dry ingredients at low speed until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least one hour.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Use a cookie scoop or spoon to drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the baking sheets, spaced about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown and the centers are set.
- Let cool on the sheets for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
- For the frosting, cream the cream cheese and butter until smooth, then gradually add the powdered sugar.
- Mix in vanilla extract and add milk or heavy cream until you reach your desired consistency.
- Once cookies are completely cool, generously frost them with the cream cheese frosting.
Notes
For a different flavor, substitute pumpkin puree with applesauce or tweak the spices to your preference.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: pumpkin cookies, fall desserts, cream cheese frosting