Description
These Pumpkin Spice Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting are soft, flavorful, and perfectly spiced treats to celebrate the autumn season. The cookies combine warm pumpkin spices with a moist pumpkin purée base, topped with a smooth and creamy cream cheese frosting. Ideal for fall gatherings, holiday parties, or cozy nights in.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp baking powder
- A pinch of salt
- 1 Tbsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp ground cloves
- ½ tsp pumpkin pie spice
Sugar and Butter
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup pumpkin purée
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 4 oz cream cheese (at room temperature)
- 2 Tbsp butter
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 Tbsp milk
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- Ground cinnamon for sprinkling
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it is at the optimal temperature when you begin baking the cookies.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar using an electric mixer for about 3 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Mix in Wet Ingredients: Add the pumpkin purée and vanilla extract to the creamed butter and sugars. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined.
- Fold in Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and pumpkin pie spice. Gradually fold this dry mixture into the wet ingredients until a soft dough forms. Avoid overmixing.
- Shape and Bake: Scoop approximately 2 tablespoons of dough per cookie and roll into balls. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and flatten each ball slightly with your hand or the back of a spoon. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes or until the edges are set and the tops appear just firm.
- Prepare Frosting: While the cookies bake, combine the cream cheese and 2 tablespoons of butter in a bowl. Beat until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract, mixing continuously until the frosting is smooth and spreadable.
- Frost and Store: Once the cookies have cooled completely on a wire rack, spread a generous amount of cream cheese frosting on each cookie. Lightly sprinkle with ground cinnamon for extra flavor and decoration. Store the frosted cookies in the refrigerator to maintain freshness.
Notes
- Ensure the cream cheese and butter used for frosting are at room temperature to achieve a smooth frosting consistency.
- Do not overbake the cookies; they should be soft and slightly chewy in the center.
- You can substitute pumpkin pie spice with a mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves if needed.
- Store cookies in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Allow cookies to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: pumpkin spice cookies, cream cheese frosting, pumpkin cookies, fall desserts, autumn treats, holiday cookies
