Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

If you’re ready for fall to sweep through your kitchen in the most delicious way, these Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting are a dream come true. Each bite is soft, cakey, full of pumpkin spice, and finished with a pillowy swirl of tangy cream cheese frosting—pure autumn joy in cookie form!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Let’s talk ingredients! Each one in these Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting is chosen with care—nothing complicated, just pantry-friendly staples working magic together. They give these cookies their signature flavor, dreamy texture, and beautiful golden hue.

• All-purpose flour: Gives the cookies structure while keeping them light and soft—be sure to scoop and level for the right amount.
• Baking soda & baking powder: These leaveners work together for that classic, fluffy, cake-like lift.
• Salt: Just enough to balance the sweetness and make those spices pop.
• Ground cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger & cloves: The essential spice blend that infuses each bite with cozy autumn flavor.
• Unsalted butter (for cookies & frosting): Adds richness and a subtle creaminess, both in the dough and the luscious frosting.
• Granulated sugar & light brown sugar: This duo sweetens the cookies and adds depth and chew from the brown sugar.
• Large egg: Binds the dough together and ensures a tender crumb.
• Vanilla extract: A splash of warm, mellow flavor that shines in both cookies and frosting.
• Canned pumpkin: The star ingredient! Provides moisture, flavor, and that gorgeous orange color—make sure to use pure pumpkin, not pie filling.
• Cream cheese (for frosting): The creamy, tangy crown on top of each cookie—a must for that classic flavor.
• Powdered sugar (for frosting): Gives the frosting its sweetness and smooth, spreadable texture.

Variations

The best part about baking at home? You can easily tailor these Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting to match your cravings or accommodate any dietary needs—there’s a twist for everyone!

• Gluten-Free: Substitute your favorite gluten-free flour blend (ensure it contains xanthan gum for structure) to make these cookies celiac-friendly.
• Nutty Crunch: Add a 1/2 cup of toasted pecans or walnuts to the dough to bring a bit of texture and extra autumn flavor.
• Maple Frosting: Replace half the vanilla in the frosting with pure maple syrup for a sweet, maple-spiced punch.
• Vegan-friendly: Swap in dairy-free butter, vegan cream cheese, and a flax egg for a satisfying plant-based treat (just check the pumpkin is pure and unsweetened).

How to Make Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting

Step 1: Prep the Baking Sheets & Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. This ensures easy release and guarantees your cookies bake up soft and golden—never stuck to the pan!

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

Whisk together the flour, both leaveners, salt, and all those warm spices in a medium bowl. Combining them first means every bite will have that consistent, perfect autumn spice throughout.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars

Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, cream the softened butter with both sugars until the mixture is light, fluffy, and looks a little pale—about 2 to 3 minutes. This step creates the foundation for irresistibly tender cookies!

Step 4: Add Pumpkin, Egg & Vanilla

Beat in the egg, followed by the pumpkin purée and vanilla extract. The dough will look silky and vibrant orange—don’t be alarmed if it’s quite soft at this stage, that’s totally normal.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Add the dry ingredients to the wet and mix just until combined. Try not to over-mix; stopping as soon as the flour disappears keeps the cookies light and tender instead of dense.

Step 6: Scoop and Bake

Using a 1 1/2 tablespoon cookie scoop or two spoons, drop heaping rounds of dough onto the baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake one sheet at a time for 13–15 minutes, or until the cookies are puffed and the tops look set.

Step 7: Cool & Frost

Let the cookies cool for a few minutes on the sheet before transferring them to a wire rack. While they cool, whip together the butter and cream cheese for the frosting, then blend in the powdered sugar and vanilla until silky smooth. Spread a generous swoosh of frosting on each cooled cookie—try not to eat it by the spoonful!

How to Serve Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting

Garnishes

A sprinkle of ground cinnamon, toasted chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts are perfect), or even a dusting of maple sugar makes these cookies extra special and eye-catching—you can even add festive orange and gold sprinkles for a party-ready vibe.

Side Dishes

Pair your Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting with a steaming mug of chai, pumpkin spice latte, or hot cocoa for cozy fall comfort. They also shine alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream, turning a simple cookie into a dreamy dessert plate.

Creative Ways to Present

Stack the cookies on a rustic wooden platter for a harvest party, arrange them in pretty gift boxes for holiday gifts, or add tiny cinnamon sticks as edible “stems” for pumpkin patch cuteness. You can even use the frosting to pipe fun designs or smiling jack-o’-lantern faces for Halloween gatherings!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store your Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting in a single layer in an airtight container in the fridge—they stay perfectly moist for 3–4 days this way. Bring them to room temperature before serving for the softest, dreamiest bite.

Freezing

You can freeze the unfrosted cookies in zip-top bags for up to 2 months. If freezing frosted cookies, arrange them on a tray and freeze until solid, then carefully stack with parchment in between. Thaw in the fridge and add extra fresh frosting if you’d like.

Reheating

For that just-baked softness, let chilled cookies sit at room temperature for 30 minutes, or pop them (unfrosted) in the microwave for about 10 seconds. If reheating decorated cookies, use gentle heat and avoid direct microwave contact with the frosting.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Once you try these Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting, you’ll understand why they’re an autumn classic around my house! Whether you whip up a batch for a festive gathering or just to treat yourself, they are full of warmth, nostalgia, and pure homemade comfort. I can’t wait for you to fall in love, one delicious bite at a time!

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