Soft Pumpkin Cookies Recipe

If you’re craving a cozy, flavorful treat that practically whispers autumn in every bite, these Soft Pumpkin Cookies are exactly what your kitchen needs. They’re wonderfully tender, bursting with warm spices, and topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting that’s the perfect creamy contrast. Whether you’re a pumpkin fanatic or just looking for a sweet new favorite, these cookies deliver softness, spice, and a melt-in-your-mouth delight that’s impossible to resist.

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients come together to create the perfect balance of flavor and texture in your Soft Pumpkin Cookies. Each one plays a key role in making these cookies soft, spiced, and downright addictive.

• All-purpose flour: The foundation for our cookies’ tender crumb and structure.
• Baking soda: Helps the cookies rise slightly while keeping them soft.
• Ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves: These warm spices bring that classic pumpkin cookie aroma and flavor.
• Salt: A pinch enhances all the sweet and spicy notes.
• Unsalted butter: Adds richness and moisture to the cookie dough and frosting.
• Granulated sugar: Sweetens while contributing to a slight crisp on the edges.
• Pumpkin puree: Not to be confused with pumpkin pie filling, this keeps the cookies soft and gives them their vibrant color.
• Egg: Binds everything together with a touch of extra moisture.
• Vanilla extract: Adds depth and warmth to both the cookie and frosting.
• Cream cheese: The star of the frosting, delivering that tangy, creamy finish.
• Powdered sugar: Sweetens the frosting with a silky texture.
• Milk or heavy cream: Adjusts the frosting consistency to perfectly spreadable perfection.

How to Make Soft Pumpkin Cookies

Step 1: Combine Dry Ingredients

Start by whisking together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt in a medium bowl. Mixing these dry ingredients first ensures the warm spices and leavening are evenly distributed throughout your dough.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light, fluffy, and pale. This step is the key to a tender, airy cookie base, so don’t rush it—about 3 to 5 minutes of beating does the trick.

Step 3: Add Pumpkin Puree, Egg, and Vanilla

Beat in the pumpkin puree until it’s fully incorporated, followed by the egg and vanilla extract. Make sure to scrape the bowl’s sides with a spatula to mix in any ingredients clinging to the edges.

Step 4: Gradually Add Dry Ingredients

Turn your mixer to a low speed and slowly add the dry mixture to the wet mixture. Mix just until combined to avoid overworking the dough, which could make your cookies tough instead of soft.

Step 5: Chill the Dough

Cover your dough with plastic wrap and chill it in the refrigerator for at least one hour, or up to 24 hours. This resting time helps the flavors meld and firms up the dough for easier scooping and baking.

Step 6: Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets

Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats to prevent sticking and ensure an even bake.

Step 7: Scoop and Shape Dough

Use a cookie scoop or spoon to drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared sheets, spacing them about two inches apart. This spacing allows the cookies to expand without merging into each other.

Step 8: Bake the Cookies

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, watching for the edges to turn lightly golden while the centers remain soft and set. The smell at this stage is positively irresistible!

Step 9: Cool Cookies

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for several minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This cooling period helps them firm up slightly but keeps their signature softness intact.

Step 10: Prepare Cream Cheese Frosting

In a clean bowl, cream together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy. Gradually beat in the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, then add vanilla extract.

Step 11: Adjust Frosting Consistency

Add milk or heavy cream a tablespoon at a time, mixing until the frosting reaches your ideal spreadable texture — not too thick, not too runny.

Step 12: Frost the Cookies

Once your cookies are completely cool, slather them generously with the cream cheese frosting. This creamy layer complements the soft pumpkin cookie perfectly.

Step 13: Optional Decorations and Serve

If you want to add a little flair, sprinkle chopped nuts, cinnamon dusting, or festive sprinkles on top. Then serve and enjoy every delightful bite!

How to Serve Soft Pumpkin Cookies

Garnishes

A light dusting of cinnamon or a handful of finely chopped toasted pecans adds a delicious, textural contrast that elevates these Soft Pumpkin Cookies without overpowering their natural flavor.

Side Dishes

Pair your pumpkin cookies with a warm mug of spiced chai tea or a frothy latte to enhance those spicy notes and create a blissful autumn afternoon snack.

Creative Ways to Present

Try stacking your frosted Soft Pumpkin Cookies on a rustic wooden board or arranging them in a festive pumpkin-shaped gift box for a seasonal treat that doubles as a heartfelt gift.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator to keep the cream cheese frosting fresh. They stay soft and delicious for up to three days this way.

Freezing

You can freeze un-frosted cookie dough balls on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. When ready, thaw overnight in the fridge and bake as usual. For frosted cookies, freeze after frosting and let thaw in the refrigerator for best texture.

Reheating

Enjoy your Soft Pumpkin Cookies best at room temperature, but if you crave them warm, pop them in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds — just enough to revive that soft, fresh-baked feel without melting the frosting too much.

FAQs

Can I use canned pumpkin pie filling instead of pumpkin puree?

It’s best to use pure pumpkin puree because pumpkin pie filling contains added spices and sugar that can alter the cookie’s flavor and texture.

How do I make sure the cookies stay soft and don’t dry out?

Avoid overbaking and store them promptly in an airtight container. The cream cheese frosting also helps keep them moist.

Can I substitute the cream cheese frosting with something else?

Absolutely! A simple vanilla buttercream or even a drizzle of white chocolate works well, but cream cheese frosting is the classic pairing here.

Is it okay to add nuts or chocolate chips to the dough?

Yes! Chopped walnuts, pecans, or chocolate chips can add a nice texture and flavor twist to the cookies if you want to mix things up.

How long does the dough need to chill?

At minimum, one hour in the refrigerator helps the flavors meld and the dough firm up for easier handling, but you can chill it up to 24 hours for even better results.

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly heartwarming about baking a batch of Soft Pumpkin Cookies and sharing them with loved ones. They’re simple to make, irresistibly soft, and bursting with seasonal flavor, making them a new tradition waiting to happen in your kitchen. Give these cookies a try and watch them disappear bite by bite!

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