Imagine sinking your teeth into a soft, pillowy pumpkin cookie crowned with a luscious cream cheese icing that melts in your mouth - the ultimate fall dessert that transforms an ordinary moment into a spectacular culinary experience. These heavenly cookies capture the essence of autumn in every single bite, blending warm spices with the rich, velvety texture of pumpkin that will have your family and friends begging for more. Whether you're a baking novice or a seasoned pro, this recipe promises to deliver bakery-quality cookies right from your own kitchen!
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 24 cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine pumpkin puree, white sugar, brown sugar, and vegetable oil. Whisk until smooth and well blended.
- In a separate bowl, sift together all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring until a soft cookie dough forms. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
- Drop rounded tablespoons of cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the cookies are set.
- Remove from oven and let cookies cool completely on a wire rack for about 20-30 minutes.
- For the cream cheese icing, beat softened cream cheese in a medium bowl until smooth and creamy.
- Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing until the icing is smooth and has a spreadable consistency.
- Once cookies are completely cool, spread or pipe the cream cheese icing over the top of each cookie.
- Allow icing to set for 10-15 minutes before serving or storing in an airtight container.
Tips
- Use fresh, high-quality pumpkin puree for the most vibrant flavor - avoid watery canned pumpkin.
- Don't overmix the dough; this can lead to tough, dense cookies instead of soft, tender ones.
- Ensure your cream cheese is truly at room temperature for the smoothest icing possible.
- For uniform cookies, use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to measure out dough.
- Let cookies cool completely before icing to prevent the cream cheese frosting from melting.
- Store cookies in a single layer to maintain their perfect texture and prevent the icing from smudging.
- For extra flavor, try adding a pinch of ground ginger or a dash of pumpkin pie spice to the cookie dough.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 180kcal
Carbohydrates: 22g
Protein: 2g
Fat: 10g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Cholesterol: 10mg
