Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
These Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting are the perfect treat for autumn or any time you crave a spiced, moist cookie. Featuring a tender pumpkin-infused dough and topped with a luscious, creamy frosting, these cookies combine warm fall spices and smooth sweetness for a delightful indulgence. Easy to make and perfect for sharing.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Cookies
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup pumpkin purée
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 cups flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp ginger
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup icing sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) ensuring it reaches the right temperature for baking the cookies evenly.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which helps incorporate air for tender cookies.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Mix in the pumpkin purée, vanilla extract, and egg until the mixture is smooth and fully combined.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger to ensure the spices and leavening agents are evenly distributed.
- Combine Dry and Wet Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined to avoid overmixing which can toughen cookies.
- Prepare Baking Sheet: Drop spoonfuls of cookie dough onto a greased or parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake Cookies: Bake for 12-15 minutes until the edges are lightly golden and centers are set. Remove and let cool completely on a wire rack to prevent melting the frosting.
- Make Frosting - Beat Butter: While cookies bake, beat the softened butter until smooth and creamy using a mixer or whisk.
- Add Cream Cheese: Add the softened cream cheese and continue beating until the frosting is silky smooth without lumps.
- Incorporate Icing Sugar and Flavor: Slowly beat in icing sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt until the frosting is light, fluffy, and spreadable.
- Frost Cookies: Once cookies are fully cooled, generously spread the cream cheese frosting on each cookie. Optionally sprinkle a little cinnamon on top for extra flavor and decoration.
Notes
- Ensure cookies are completely cooled before frosting to prevent melting.
- You can substitute pumpkin purée with canned pumpkin for convenience.
- Adjust spices to taste; more cinnamon or nutmeg can enhance autumn flavors.
- Store frosted cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Bring refrigerated cookies to room temperature before serving for the best texture and flavor.
