Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
If you’re craving that perfectly pillowy treat to capture all the magic of fall, look no further than Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting. These cookies are irresistibly tender, fragrant with autumn spices, and topped with a luscious, tangy cream cheese frosting that melts in your mouth. One bite delivers everything you love about pumpkin desserts: warmth, coziness, and that little extra something that brings everyone around the kitchen counter for “just one more.”
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses simple ingredients you likely already have on hand, and each one is essential to the irresistible texture and flavor of Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting. Together, they create cookies that are soft, fluffy, and bursting with the comforting notes of cinnamon and pumpkin. Here’s how every ingredient makes its mark:
- All-purpose flour: The backbone of the cookie, providing just enough structure while keeping things soft and cakey.
- Baking powder: Gives the cookies their signature lift and cloud-like softness.
- Baking soda: Works alongside the baking powder for perfect rise and a light crumb.
- Ground cinnamon: Adds warmth and that classic fall aroma that smells like home.
- Ground nutmeg: Infuses the dough with deep, nutty spice that complements the sweetness beautifully.
- Ground ginger: Adds a tiny zing that brightens every bite without overpowering the pumpkin flavor.
- Salt: Enhances all the flavors, balancing the sweetness and spices perfectly.
- Unsalted butter (for cookies and frosting): Delivers that rich, buttery taste and amazing texture both in the cookies and the creamy frosting.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cookies and helps achieve their soft, delicate crumb.
- Canned pumpkin puree: Stars in this recipe, making the cookies moist and packing each bite with pumpkin flavor (be sure to use pure pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling).
- Large egg: Acts as the binder, giving the cookies structure while keeping them tender.
- Vanilla extract (for cookies and frosting): Adds depth and brings out the richness of both the cookie dough and the silky frosting.
- Cream cheese: Creates that dreamy, tangy frosting that takes these cookies to an entirely new level of deliciousness.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens the cream cheese frosting while making it beautifully smooth and spreadable.
How to Make Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Pans
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C)—just the right temperature to give these cookies a gentle bake and keep them tender. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze. This way, every cookie will slide right off and keep its lovely, fluffy shape.
Step 2: Whisk Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt. This not only blends your spices evenly but also aerates the flour, resulting in lighter, airier cookies with every batch.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Take your time—this step creates a pillowy texture in your Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting and ensures the sugar is perfectly incorporated.
Step 4: Add Pumpkin, Egg, and Vanilla
Beat in the pumpkin puree, egg, and vanilla extract until the mixture is silky smooth. The pumpkin not only brings its signature flavor but also keeps every cookie supremely moist and tender, while the egg and vanilla round out the flavor profile.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the whisked dry ingredients into the pumpkin mixture, stirring gently just until everything is combined. Avoid overmixing—this is key for keeping your cookies soft and cake-like rather than dense.
Step 6: Shape and Bake
Drop heaping tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each. They’ll puff up beautifully in the oven. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes, or until the edges are set and the tops spring back lightly when touched—this ensures a perfectly soft bite every time.
Step 7: Cool Completely
Once baked, let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes, then transfer them to wire racks to cool completely. This helps them set perfectly and prepares them for frosting without any melting mishaps.
Step 8: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting
In a clean bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until creamy and smooth. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing until you have a luscious, spreadable frosting. This tangy-sweet topping is the crowning glory of every Soft Pumpkin Cookie with Cream Cheese Frosting.
Step 9: Frost and Enjoy
Generously frost each cooled cookie, swirling on as much as your heart desires. If you’d like to add a little extra magic, sprinkle with chopped pecans or a dusting of cinnamon. Take a bite—you’ve just made pure autumn baking happiness!
How to Serve Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting
Garnishes
A final flourish makes all the difference: try a scattering of chopped pecans, a pinch of extra cinnamon, or even a few pumpkin seeds on top for a delightful crunch and a touch of elegance. Each garnish adds color and texture, making the cookies even more inviting for your family and friends.
Side Dishes
If you’re looking for that perfect pairing, serve your Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting alongside a hot cup of spiced chai, a creamy latte, or a glass of cold milk. These drinks enhance the warm flavors and make the cookie experience feel even more comforting and indulgent.
Creative Ways to Present
For something extra special, stack the cookies on a rustic cake stand for a casual gathering or arrange them with cinnamon sticks on a festive platter for the holidays. You can even slip them into cellophane bags tied with ribbon for the ultimate homemade gift—your lucky friends and neighbors will definitely ask for the recipe!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Place leftover Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting in an airtight container and refrigerate them for up to five days. The chill keeps the cream cheese frosting fresh and gives the cookies an almost fudge-like texture that’s hard to resist.
Freezing
If you want to get a head start on your baking or just savor them a little longer, these cookies freeze beautifully. Store the unfrosted cookies stacked between sheets of parchment in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to two months. Frost them after thawing for best results.
Reheating
For that fresh-from-the-oven taste, let refrigerated or thawed cookies come to room temperature. If you like your cookies slightly warm, a very quick zap (about 10 seconds) in the microwave will do the trick. Just keep in mind the frosting may melt, so reheat with a light touch or frost after warming.
FAQs
Can I use fresh pumpkin instead of canned pumpkin puree?
Absolutely! Just be sure to thoroughly drain and puree your homemade pumpkin so it’s thick and not watery, which is crucial for the ideal texture in Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting.
Is it okay to use salted butter if I don’t have unsalted?
Yes, but reduce the added salt in the recipe by about half to keep your cookies perfectly balanced. Salted butter can be a handy swap in a pinch!
Can I add chocolate chips or nuts to the batter?
Definitely! Fold in a cup of mini chocolate chips or chopped pecans if you’d like extra richness or crunch. These additions transform your Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting into a custom treat every time.
How do I make the frosting thicker or thinner?
If you want a stiffer frosting, add a bit more powdered sugar. To make it thinner and easier to spread, add a teaspoon of milk until you reach your desired consistency. It’s easy to adjust based on your preference.
Do these cookies need to be refrigerated?
Since the frosting contains cream cheese, it’s safest to keep any leftovers refrigerated. This helps them stay fresh and allows the flavors to develop even more in Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting.
Final Thoughts
These Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting have all the charm of homemade baking and the irresistible flavors of fall. They’re simple, crowd-pleasing, and truly worth making again and again—so gather your loved ones, turn on the oven, and share these dreamy cookies with everyone lucky enough to be in your kitchen!
Print
Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
- Total Time: 34 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting are the perfect treat for fall baking. The cookies are tender and full of warm spices, while the creamy frosting adds a delicious finish. A must-try dessert for the holiday season!
Ingredients
Cookies:
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Frosting:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven and prepare baking sheets: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Prepare the cookie dough: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt. In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar until fluffy. Add pumpkin, egg, and vanilla; beat to combine. Gradually add dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
- Bake the cookies: Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto baking sheets. Bake for 12-14 minutes until set. Cool on wire racks.
- Make the frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla, beat until creamy.
- Frost the cookies: Generously frost cooled cookies with cream cheese frosting.
Notes
- Cookies can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- For added texture, sprinkle frosted cookies with chopped pecans or cinnamon.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 115 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
