Description
These soft and fluffy Pumpkin Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting are the ultimate fall treat. Made with real pumpkin puree and warm spices, they’re topped with a rich cream cheese frosting for a perfect balance of sweet and tangy. Great for Halloween, Thanksgiving, or cozy evenings. Keywords: pumpkin sugar cookies, cream cheese frosting cookies, fall desserts, easy pumpkin cookies.
Ingredients
1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
½ cup granulated sugar
½ cup brown sugar
¾ cup pumpkin puree
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
¼ cup butter, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon milk or cream (optional, for thinning)
Instructions
1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Add in the pumpkin puree, egg, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth.
4. Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and mix until just combined.
5. Cover the dough and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
6. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
7. Scoop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the sheet, spacing 2 inches apart.
8. Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are just set. Allow cookies to cool completely.
9. For the frosting, beat together the cream cheese and butter until smooth.
10. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, beating until fluffy. Thin with milk or cream if desired.
11. Frost cooled cookies and optionally garnish with cinnamon or sprinkles.
Notes
These cookies have a cake-like texture, so don’t overbake them or they may dry out.
Be sure to use pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling, to control the sweetness and spice.
Frost only once the cookies are fully cooled or the frosting will melt.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 85mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg