Soft Pumpkin Cookies đđŞ â A Cozy Autumn Favorite That Melts in Your Mouth
When the air turns crisp and leaves start to fall, there’s one flavor that instantly brings warmth and comfort to our homes: pumpkin. These Soft Pumpkin Cookies are everything you want in a fall treatâpillowy soft, perfectly spiced, and just the right amount of sweet. Theyâre like little bites of pumpkin pie wrapped up in cookie form.
Whether youâre baking for a fall festival, a cozy evening in, or prepping holiday treats, this recipe is a go-to for all pumpkin lovers. Plus, they make your kitchen smell like autumn heaven. đ
đ Why These Soft Pumpkin Cookies Are So Special
- Ultra-soft texture: Thanks to the pumpkin purĂŠe, these cookies are tender and cake-like with a melt-in-your-mouth finish.
- Perfectly spiced: With warm cinnamon and pumpkin flavor in every bite, these cookies hit the fall flavor jackpot.
- One-bowl recipe: Easy to mix, easy to cleanâperfect for quick baking sessions or beginner bakers.
- Versatile treat: Top them with glaze, cream cheese frosting, or keep them simpleâtheyâre delicious every way.
đŞ Ingredients for Soft Pumpkin Cookies
You donât need anything fancy. These ingredients are pantry staples that come together in a beautiful, cozy cookie.
Dry Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp baking powder
- Âź tsp salt
- Âź tsp ground nutmeg (optional, but adds warmth)
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup pumpkin purĂŠe (not pumpkin pie filling)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
đŠâđł How to Make Soft Pumpkin Cookies â Step-by-Step
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the pumpkin purĂŠe, egg, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth and fully combined.
Step 3: Add the Dry Ingredients
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and optional nutmeg.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Mix until no dry streaks remain. The dough will be soft and slightly sticky.
Step 4: Scoop and Bake
- Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to drop rounded spoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 12â15 minutes, or until the cookies are set and lightly golden on the bottom.
Step 5: Cool
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
⨠Optional: Glaze or Frosting Ideas
While these cookies are fantastic on their own, you can take them up a notch with a simple glaze or frosting.
Vanilla Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1â2 tablespoons milk
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Whisk until smooth and drizzle over cooled cookies.
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- ½ tsp vanilla
Beat until fluffy and spread on top of cooled cookies.
đĄ Pro Tips for Perfect Pumpkin Cookies
- Donât overmix the dough: Stir just until combined to keep cookies soft and tender.
- Use real pumpkin purĂŠe: Canned pumpkin is fineâjust make sure itâs 100% pumpkin, not pumpkin pie mix.
- Chill the dough (optional): If you want neater, rounder cookies, chill the dough for 20â30 minutes before baking.
- Double the batch: These cookies disappear fast. They freeze well, so make extra!
đŚ Storage and Freezing
- Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Refrigerator: Keep for up to 7 days if frosted.
- Freezer: Freeze unfrosted cookies for up to 3 months. Thaw and frost when ready to serve.
đ Serving Suggestions
- Enjoy warm with a mug of hot apple cider, coffee, or chai tea.
- Add to your Thanksgiving dessert table as a lighter alternative to pie.
- Package in cute boxes with ribbon for a perfect fall gift or bake sale treat.
đ Variations to Try
- Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies: Stir in ž cup chocolate chips before baking.
- Pumpkin Spice Latte Cookies: Add 1 tsp instant espresso powder to the dough.
- Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies: Replace ½ cup of flour with quick oats for added texture.
- Maple Glazed Cookies: Use maple syrup in your glaze for a deeper fall flavor.
â¤ď¸ Why These Pumpkin Cookies Are a Must-Bake
These Soft Pumpkin Cookies are more than a treatâthey’re a reminder of cozy sweaters, crunchy leaves, and the simple joy of homemade baking. Their tender crumb, warm spices, and nostalgic flavor make them a staple in any fall baking lineup.
Perfect for Halloween, Thanksgiving, or any day you want to feel the comfort of autumn, these cookies will become a seasonal tradition youâll return to year after year.