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Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 51 reviews

These soft pumpkin cookies are perfectly spiced and tender, topped with a rich and creamy homemade cream cheese frosting. Ideal for autumn or any time you crave a cozy treat, they combine warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves with pumpkin puree to deliver moist, flavorful cookies that melt in your mouth.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Cookie Wet Ingredients

  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2–4 tablespoons milk or heavy cream (to desired consistency)

Instructions

  1. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground cloves, and salt. Set the dry mixture aside.
  2. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl or using a stand mixer, cream the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3 to 5 minutes.
  3. Add Pumpkin Puree, Egg, and Vanilla: Beat in the pumpkin puree until fully incorporated. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure even mixing.
  4. Gradually Add Dry Ingredients: Slowly add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients while mixing on low speed. Mix just until combined; avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
  5. Chill the Dough: Cover the cookie dough bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to help the dough firm up and enhance flavor. You may chill up to 24 hours if desired.
  6. Preheat Oven: Heat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking.
  7. Scoop and Shape the Dough: Using a cookie scoop or spoon, drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets. Leave about 2 inches between each cookie to allow for spreading.
  8. Bake the Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the cookie edges turn lightly golden and the centers are set but still soft.
  9. Cool the Cookies: Remove the baking sheets from the oven. Let the cookies cool on the sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
  10. Cream Butter and Cream Cheese for Frosting: In a large bowl or stand mixer, beat together the softened cream cheese and softened butter until smooth and creamy.
  11. Gradually Add Powdered Sugar: Add the powdered sugar one cup at a time to the cream cheese mixture, beating on low speed after each addition until fully combined.
  12. Add Vanilla Extract and Milk: Mix in the vanilla extract. Then add milk or heavy cream one tablespoon at a time, continuing to beat until the frosting reaches your desired spreading consistency.
  13. Frost the Cookies: When the cookies are completely cooled, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over each cookie.
  14. Optional Decorations: If desired, add sprinkles, chopped nuts, or a light dusting of cinnamon over the frosted cookies to decorate.
  15. Serve and Store: Serve the frosted pumpkin cookies immediately, or store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Notes

  • For best texture, do not overmix the dough once the dry ingredients are added.
  • Chilling the dough enhances flavor and helps prevent excessive spreading during baking.
  • Use pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling, to avoid extra spices and sweetness.
  • Adjust milk in the frosting gradually to get the perfect consistency for spreading or piping.
  • Store leftover cookies refrigerated due to the cream cheese frosting.
  • Allow cookies to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting and sliding of frosting.

Keywords: pumpkin cookies, soft pumpkin cookies, cream cheese frosting, fall cookies, spiced pumpkin dessert

Find it online: https://hannahdelgado.com/soft-pumpkin-cookies-with-cream-cheese-frosting-recipe/