Soft Pumpkin Cookies

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Soft Pumpkin Cookies 🎃🍪 – 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 treat—pillowy soft, perfectly spiced, and just the right amount of sweet. They’re like little bites of pumpkin pie wrapped up in cookie form.

Whether you’re 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. 🍁

🎃 Why These Soft Pumpkin Cookies Are So Special

  • Ultra-soft texture: Thanks to the pumpkin purée, 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 clean—perfect for quick baking sessions or beginner bakers.
  • Versatile treat: Top them with glaze, cream cheese frosting, or keep them simple—they’re delicious every way.

🍪 Ingredients for Soft Pumpkin Cookies

You don’t 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
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp ground nutmeg (optional, but adds warmth)

Wet Ingredients

  • 1 cup pumpkin purée (not pumpkin pie filling)
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

👩‍🍳 How to Make Soft Pumpkin Cookies – 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 purée, 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 12–15 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
  • 1–2 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.

💡 Pro Tips for Perfect Pumpkin Cookies

  • Don’t overmix the dough: Stir just until combined to keep cookies soft and tender.
  • Use real pumpkin purée: Canned pumpkin is fine—just make sure it’s 100% pumpkin, not pumpkin pie mix.
  • Chill the dough (optional): If you want neater, rounder cookies, chill the dough for 20–30 minutes before baking.
  • Double the batch: These cookies disappear fast. They freeze well, so make extra!

📦 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.

🍂 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.

🌟 Variations to Try

  • Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies: Stir in ¾ 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.

❤️ Why These Pumpkin Cookies Are a Must-Bake

These Soft Pumpkin Cookies are more than a treat—they’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 you’ll return to year after year.

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