If you’re searching for a fall-inspired treat that’s both cozy and irresistibly sweet, look no further than this Pumpkin Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe. These cookies bring together the warm spices of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves with a luscious, tangy cream cheese frosting that perfectly balances the soft, pumpkin-infused cookie base. Whether you’re baking for a holiday gathering or just craving a seasonal indulgence, this recipe delivers that comforting, homemade feeling with every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity—the ingredients are straightforward, yet each plays a crucial role in crafting the perfect balance of flavor, texture, and color. From the rich pumpkin puree to the fragrant spice blend, every component elevates these cookies into a memorable treat.
- Unsalted butter (1/2 cup, softened): Provides a creamy base and helps achieve a tender cookie texture.
- Granulated sugar (1/2 cup): Adds sweetness and helps with cookie structure.
- Brown sugar (1/4 cup): Introduces a hint of caramel flavor and extra moisture.
- Pumpkin puree (1/3 cup): The star ingredient that infuses the cookies with moisture, subtle sweetness, and an inviting autumnal hue.
- Egg yolk (1): Adds richness and helps bind the dough.
- Vanilla extract (1 tsp): Enhances the overall flavor and aroma.
- All-purpose flour (1 1/2 cups): The foundation for the dough’s structure.
- Baking powder (1/2 tsp): Offers a gentle lift to keep cookies soft and light.
- Ground cinnamon (1 tsp): Brings classic warmth and spice, key to pumpkin baked goods.
- Ground nutmeg (1/4 tsp): Adds a subtle nutty note that complements the cinnamon.
- Ground cloves (1/8 tsp): Provides depth with its slightly peppery, aromatic kick.
- Cream cheese (4 oz, softened): Creates the creamy tang for the frosting, balancing sweetness.
- Unsalted butter (2 tbsp, softened): Works with cream cheese to give the frosting its rich, smooth texture.
- Powdered sugar (1 cup): Sweetens and thickens the frosting to the perfect consistency.
- Vanilla extract (1/2 tsp): Brightens the frosting’s flavor profile.
- Pinch of salt: Enhances all the frosting flavors and cuts through sweetness.
How to Make Pumpkin Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Step 1: Prep and preheat
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line your baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Setting the stage early helps ensure nothing gets missed once the dough is ready.
Step 2: Cream the butters and sugars
In a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step creates a smooth base that’s essential for soft, melt-in-your-mouth cookies.
Step 3: Incorporate pumpkin and egg yolk
Add the pumpkin puree, egg yolk, and vanilla extract to the creamed mixture, mixing until fully combined. The pumpkin adds moisture and natural sweetness, while the egg yolk brings richness, ensuring the dough isn’t dry.
Step 4: Mix dry spices and leavening agents
Whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves in a separate bowl. This ensures the spices are evenly distributed, so every bite has that warm, autumnal flavor.
Step 5: Combine wet and dry ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined to avoid overworking the dough, which can lead to tougher cookies. You’re aiming for a soft, slightly sticky dough.
Step 6: Scoop the dough
Use a cookie scoop or spoon to drop portions of dough onto your prepared baking sheets, spacing them well apart so they can spread without merging together. This step helps create evenly sized, beautifully shaped cookies.
Step 7: Bake to perfection
Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers are still soft. The key here is to avoid overbaking since these cookies continue to firm up as they cool, resulting in a tender texture.
Step 8: Prepare the cream cheese frosting
While the cookies cool, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt, continuing to beat until the frosting is fluffy and easy to spread.
Step 9: Frost and serve
Once the cookies have completely cooled, spread a generous layer of the cream cheese frosting on top. The tangy sweetness perfectly complements the spiced pumpkin base, making every bite a little celebration.
How to Serve Pumpkin Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Garnishes
You can sprinkle a pinch of cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice over the frosting for a pretty, aromatic touch. Toasted chopped pecans or walnuts also make a lovely crunchy garnish that adds texture and nuttiness.
Side Dishes
Serve these cookies alongside a warm cup of chai tea, pumpkin spice latte, or even a creamy hot chocolate. The rich flavors perfectly complement each other, creating a cozy snack or dessert experience that feels like a warm hug.
Creative Ways to Present
For a festive presentation, arrange the cookies on a rustic wooden board with autumn leaves and mini pumpkins as decor. You can also sandwich two cookies together with extra frosting or drizzle a bit of melted white chocolate over the top for a touch of elegance.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Place any leftover cookies in an airtight container and keep them refrigerated to maintain the freshness of the cream cheese frosting. They will stay delicious for up to 5 days when stored properly.
Freezing
You can freeze the cookies without frosting for up to 3 months by placing them in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring them to a freezer-safe bag. Thaw completely and add frosting just before serving for best results.
Reheating
If you prefer your cookies slightly warm, gently reheat them in a microwave for 10 to 15 seconds. Avoid reheating the frosting directly to prevent it from melting too much, which could alter its texture.
FAQs
Can I use canned pumpkin puree for this recipe?
Absolutely! Canned pumpkin puree works perfectly and provides consistent moisture and flavor. Just be sure to use pure pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling which contains added sugar and spices.
What if I don’t have all the spices?
If you don’t have cloves or nutmeg, you can omit them or substitute with a pinch of ginger or allspice. The cinnamon is the most important spice for that classic pumpkin flavor.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that’s suitable for baking. Make sure it contains xanthan gum or another binder for the best texture.
How thick should the cream cheese frosting be?
The frosting should be fluffy but firm enough to spread without dripping. Adjust the powdered sugar if it’s too soft, or add a tiny splash of milk if too stiff.
Can I bake these cookies without frosting?
Definitely! The cookies are delicious on their own, with soft, spiced pumpkin flavor shining through. Frosting just adds an extra layer of sweetness and creaminess, perfect for special occasions.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly magical about baking Pumpkin Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe—it’s a delightful way to celebrate the season with flavors that feel both nostalgic and fresh. Once you try these tender, spiced cookies topped with creamy frosting, you’ll want to keep this recipe in your fall favorites for years to come. Go ahead and bake a batch for friends, family, or just yourself, and enjoy every scrumptious bite!
Print
Pumpkin Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: About 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Pumpkin Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting combine the warm spices of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves with the moist sweetness of pumpkin puree for a delicious fall treat. Soft and cakey cookies are topped with a rich and tangy cream cheese frosting, making them perfect for autumn gatherings or cozy evenings.
Ingredients
Cookie Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/3 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/8 tsp ground cloves
Frosting Ingredients
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: Cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which incorporates air for a better cookie texture.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Mix in the pumpkin puree, egg yolk, and vanilla extract until well combined, creating a moist and flavorful dough.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and ground cloves to evenly distribute the spices and leavening agent.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined to avoid overworking the dough and keeping cookies tender.
- Scoop Dough: Scoop portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them adequately to allow the cookies to spread without merging.
- Bake Cookies: Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges are set but the centers remain soft. Remove from oven and allow cookies to cool on a wire rack completely.
- Prepare Frosting: Beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar and a pinch of salt, then beat until the frosting is fluffy and spreadable.
- Frost Cookies: Once the cookies have cooled completely, frost each cookie generously with the cream cheese frosting, then serve or store as desired.
Notes
- Make sure the butter and cream cheese are softened to room temperature to achieve a smooth frosting.
- Do not overmix the dough once adding dry ingredients to keep cookies tender.
- Cookies can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
- For a spicier flavor, increase the cinnamon or add a pinch of ginger.
- If using canned pumpkin puree, ensure it is 100% pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling.
