Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Deliciously soft pumpkin cookies topped with creamy, smooth cream cheese frosting. These spiced pumpkin cookies bring the perfect balance of fall flavors with pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice, baked to perfection and finished with a sweet, tangy frosting that’s perfect for seasonal treats or cozy gatherings.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Pumpkin Cookies
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- 1 ¼ cups pumpkin puree
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until the mixture is smooth and creamy, providing a light base for the cookies.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Mix in the pumpkin puree, egg, and vanilla extract until everything is fully incorporated, resulting in a moist and flavorful dough.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice, and salt to ensure even distribution of the leavening and spices.
- Mix Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined to avoid overmixing and tough cookies.
- Shape Cookies: Use a scoop or spoon to drop the cookie dough onto the lined baking sheet, spacing them adequately to allow for spreading during baking.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 13-15 minutes, or slightly longer if making larger cookies, until they are set and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Cool Completely: Allow the cookies to cool fully on the baking sheet or a wire rack before frosting them to prevent the frosting from melting.
- Prepare Frosting: Beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy, then gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing until the frosting is fluffy and spreadable.
- Frost Cookies: Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled cookies. Optionally, sprinkle with extra pumpkin pie spice or chopped nuts for added texture and flavor.
Notes
- Cool the cookies completely before adding the frosting to prevent melting and sliding.
- If using homemade or non-Libby’s pumpkin puree, blot extra moisture to keep cookies soft but not sticky.
- Store frosted cookies in the refrigerator for up to 5 days to maintain freshness and texture.
- Unfrosted cookies can be frozen for up to 3 months; thaw and frost before serving.
Keywords: pumpkin cookies, cream cheese frosting, pumpkin spice, fall dessert, holiday cookies, soft pumpkin cookies, easy pumpkin recipe
