Pumpkin Spice Sugar Cookies

These pumpkin spice sugar cookies with cream cheese frosting capture the essence of fall in every bite. Soft, thick, and packed with warm spices, they are perfect for cozy gatherings or just a sweet treat on a crisp afternoon. The addition of pumpkin puree gives the cookies a tender texture and the cream cheese frosting balances the spices with a creamy tang.

I first made this recipe during a chilly October weekend and it quickly became a favorite for my family’s seasonal celebrations

Ingredients

• Unsalted butter: melted to add richness and ensure moist cookies
• Pumpkin puree: adds moisture and a natural fall flavor choose pure pumpkin rather than pumpkin pie filling
• White sugar: sweetens the dough for a balanced flavor
• All purpose flour: provides structure sifted for lightness
• Large egg: binds the dough and adds tenderness
• Vanilla extract: enhances the overall flavor with a subtle sweetness
• Pumpkin pie spice: is vital for that classic autumn flavor so pick a fresh blend or make your own
• Baking powder: gives a gentle lift to keep cookies soft but not cakey
• Salt: balances sweetness and intensifies other flavors
• Cinnamon: used for sprinkling adds an extra layer of spice on top
• Cream cheese: softened for the frosting lends tanginess and creaminess
• Unsalted butter (frosting): in the frosting contributes smooth texture
• Powdered sugar: sweetens the frosting without grit
• Vanilla extract (frosting): brightens the frosting’s flavor with a smooth finish

Instructions

Sift the Dry Ingredients:

Sift the flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, and salt together in a bowl. This step ensures an even distribution of leavening powder and spices so your cookies bake evenly.

Mix the Wet Ingredients:

In a large mixing bowl, add melted butter, pumpkin puree, sugar, egg, and vanilla extract. Stir these together until you get a smooth, uniform mixture which will form the base of your cookie dough.

Combine Wet and Dry:

Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Stir gently but thoroughly until a soft cookie dough forms. Avoid overmixing to keep cookies tender.

Chill the Dough:

Cover the dough bowl with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator for about 25 minutes. Chilling firms up the dough and helps the cookies hold their shape while baking.

Shape the Cookies:

Remove the dough from the fridge and scoop 1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons per cookie. Roll the dough balls gently between your palms and place them spaced out on a parchment-lined baking sheet. This will yield 12 to 14 cookies.

Bake:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Bake the cookies for 18 minutes or until the edges begin to turn golden brown but the centers still look slightly soft.

Prepare the Frosting:

While the cookies bake, beat the softened cream cheese and butter in a medium bowl until smooth using an electric mixer. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract until the frosting is creamy and spreadable. Refrigerate the frosting until the cookies are cooled.

Frost and Finish:

Once the cookies have completely cooled, spread about a tablespoon of the cream cheese frosting on each one. For an extra touch, lightly sprinkle pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon on top of the frosting.

Enjoy:

Serve and savor the perfect balance of soft pumpkin cookies with sweet tangy frosting.

These cookies remind me of cozy afternoons with my grandparents when pumpkin desserts were always on the table. Pumpkin pie spice is my favorite ingredient here because it instantly transforms simple sugar cookies into a celebration of fall.

Storage Tips

Store your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. If you want to keep them longer, place them in the fridge where they will stay fresh for about a week. For extended storage, freeze the baked and cooled cookies without frosting wrapped tightly in plastic wrap, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. Thaw at room temperature before frosting.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you don’t have pumpkin pie spice, mix your own using cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. You can substitute Greek yogurt for pumpkin puree but expect a fuller tang and a slightly different texture. Light brown sugar can replace white sugar for a deeper caramel note in the cookies. Cream cheese frosting can be swapped with browned butter frosting for a nutty twist.

Serving Suggestions

These cookies are lovely served with a hot cup of chai tea or pumpkin spice latte. They make for festive party treats or a seasonal gift when packaged in a pretty tin. Try garnishing with crushed pecans or a drizzle of melted caramel for an extra special presentation.

These pumpkin spice sugar cookies are a cozy fall treat perfect for sharing. Enjoy them warm with cream cheese frosting.

Common Questions About Recipes

→ What gives these cookies their soft texture?

The combination of melted butter and pumpkin puree keeps the cookies moist and tender, resulting in a soft, dense bite.

→ How does chilling the dough affect the cookies?

Chilling the dough helps the flavors meld and prevents the cookies from spreading too much, producing thick, chewy results.

→ Can I substitute pumpkin pie spice with individual spices?

Yes, a mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves can replicate pumpkin pie spice’s warm, spiced profile.

→ What is the purpose of cream cheese in the frosting?

Cream cheese adds a tangy richness to the frosting, balancing the sweetness of the cookies and enhancing overall flavor.

→ How should I store these cookies to maintain freshness?

Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate if storing longer to maintain the frosting’s texture.