Spiced Pumpkin Cookies are your ticket to cozy fall flavors, no matter the season. Picture this: soft, pillowy cookies bursting with cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and a hint of cloves, all enhanced by the sweet earthiness of real pumpkin. If you crave a treat that wraps you in warmth with every bite, these cookies deliver—perfect for sharing or savoring with your favorite mug of tea.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering these simple staples showcases how a handful of quality ingredients can transform into something magical. Each one plays an important role, from giving lift and structure to infusing your Spiced Pumpkin Cookies with unforgettable flavor and softness.
- All-purpose flour: The base that gives these cookies their tender structure.
- Baking powder: Ensures lift so your cookies come out perfectly soft and puffy.
- Baking soda: Works alongside the baking powder to create a light, airy texture.
- Ground cinnamon: Infuses warmth and classic autumn aroma in every bite.
- Ground nutmeg: Adds a subtle, almost floral depth that rounds out the spice mix.
- Ground ginger: Contributes a gentle zing and brightness.
- Ground cloves: Offers serious spice and a hint of complexity you’ll notice right away.
- Salt: Just enough to balance the sweetness and bring out the spices’ best notes.
- Unsalted butter: Gives richness and helps produce that irresistible melt-in-your-mouth crumb.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens and adds a bit of crispness to the edges.
- Brown sugar: Brings extra moisture along with a touch of caramel flavor.
- Canned pumpkin puree: The star ingredient lends softness and deep golden color.
- Large egg: Binds everything together and adds structure.
- Vanilla extract: Rounds out all the flavors for an extra touch of comfort.
How to Make Spiced Pumpkin Cookies
Step 1: Prep Your Baking Sheets and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C), ensuring it’s ready when your dough is. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper; this not only prevents sticking but also helps your Spiced Pumpkin Cookies brown just right and makes cleanup a breeze.
Step 2: Whisk the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and salt. Whisking evenly distributes the spices and leaveners, setting the foundation for cookies bursting with flavor and a delicate crumb.
Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugars
Grab a large mixing bowl and beat the softened butter with granulated and brown sugars until the mixture turns light and fluffy. Creaming is the secret to super tender, almost cake-like texture in Spiced Pumpkin Cookies, and it’s absolutely worth taking the time for this step.
Step 4: Add Pumpkin, Egg, and Vanilla
To your fluffy butter-sugar mixture, add the pumpkin puree, large egg, and vanilla extract. Mix until everything is fully incorporated—the batter may look slightly curdled at first, but it’ll smooth out as you go.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually blend the dry mixture into the wet, mixing just until the flour disappears. Be careful not to over-mix; stopping as soon as a uniform dough forms is the key to maintaining their delightful tenderness.
Step 6: Portion and Bake
Use a tablespoon or small cookie scoop to drop rounded mounds of dough onto your prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 12-15 minutes, until set and just golden at the edges (you want them soft, not crisp).
Step 7: Cool and Enjoy
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This brief “rest” helps them set and keeps their centers luxuriously soft. Once cool, you’re ready to indulge in the best Spiced Pumpkin Cookies you’ve ever tasted!
How to Serve Spiced Pumpkin Cookies
Garnishes
For a finishing touch, drizzle the tops with a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and milk, or dust lightly with cinnamon sugar before baking. These tiny tweaks add extra sweetness and a sparkly, bakery-worthy look.
Side Dishes
Pair your Spiced Pumpkin Cookies with a mug of chai, a creamy latte, or even a tall glass of cold milk. If you’re feeling extra fancy, plate them alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a swirl of whipped cream for an elegant dessert.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack cookies in a cellophane bag tied with autumn ribbon for a charming homemade gift. Or, create a festive cookie platter with assorted fall favorites—Spiced Pumpkin Cookies inevitably steal the spotlight!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep extra cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, where they’ll stay soft and delicious for up to four days. Slip a piece of parchment between layers to prevent any sticking or squishing.
Freezing
Both the dough and baked cookies freeze beautifully! Freeze dough scoops on a tray, then transfer to a zip-top bag and store for up to two months. For baked cookies, wrap tightly and freeze; just thaw at room temp and enjoy.
Reheating
If you love warm cookies, revive leftovers by popping them in a low oven (around 300°F) for a few minutes. They’ll taste oven-fresh and their cozy spices will become even more fragrant.
FAQs
Can I use homemade pumpkin puree instead of canned?
Absolutely! Just make sure your puree is thick and not watery—homemade versions tend to have more moisture, so drain or blot with paper towels as needed for the best Spiced Pumpkin Cookies texture.
What makes Spiced Pumpkin Cookies so soft?
It’s the pumpkin puree working its magic, along with the perfect balance of butter and sugars. Short baking time seals the deal, keeping them moist and pillowy.
Can I add chocolate chips or nuts to the recipe?
Yes, a handful of chocolate chips, chopped pecans, or walnuts can add a fun twist! Gently fold them in with the final mix for a version of Spiced Pumpkin Cookies that’s totally your own.
Is it possible to make them gluten-free?
Yes! Swap the all-purpose flour for a cup-for-cup gluten-free blend, and double-check that your other ingredients are certified gluten-free. The cookies should turn out just as soft and flavorful.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Definitely. Refrigerate the dough (covered) for up to two days before baking, or freeze as noted above. Chilled dough often yields slightly plumper Spiced Pumpkin Cookies!
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking to fill your kitchen with the true spirit of fall, give these Spiced Pumpkin Cookies a try. Each bite is like a warm hug—and with such a simple recipe, you’ll want to bake them again and again. Share them, gift them, or simply enjoy every last crumb yourself!
Print
Spiced Pumpkin Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Spiced Pumpkin Cookies are the perfect treat for fall, with warm spices and a soft, cake-like texture. Easy to make and delicious to enjoy with a cup of tea or coffee.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and salt.
- Combine wet ingredients: In a large bowl, beat the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add the pumpkin puree, egg, and vanilla extract; mix well.
- Combine wet and dry mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined.
- Bake: Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the baking sheets. Bake for 12-15 minutes until set and golden. Cool on a wire rack.
Notes
- For extra sweetness, drizzle with a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and milk.
- You can also sprinkle with cinnamon sugar before baking for added flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
