Pumpkin Spice Cookies Every Time in 7 easy steps

Name: Pumpkin Spice Cookies
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 27 min
Ingredients: 1 cup 240g unsalted butter, softened; 1 cup 200g granulated sugar; 1/2 cup 120g brown sugar, packed; 1 large egg; 1 cup 240g canned pumpkin puree; 2 tsp vanilla extract; 2 1/2 cups 300g all-purpose flour; 1 tsp baking soda; 1 tsp ground cinnamon; 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg; 1/4 tsp ground ginger; 1/4 tsp ground cloves; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/2 cup chocolate chips or chopped walnuts (Optional)

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Fall is upon us, and there’s nothing quite like the aroma of freshly baked cookies wafting through the house to get you in the mood for the season. Imagine the warm glow of a pumpkin-scented kitchen, the crackling sound of autumn leaves outside, and the taste of soft, chewy pumpkin spice cookies. These delightful treats aren’t just delicious—they bring the essence of fall to life, making every bite a comforting experience.

As the weather cools and Thanksgiving approaches, you may find yourself searching for the perfect cookie recipe to share with family and friends. Pumpkin spice cookies are an ideal choice—they’re easy to make, packed with cozy spices, and perfect for pairing with a hot cup of tea or coffee. Whether you’re an experienced baker or just starting, this recipe is simple and guaranteed to impress.

In this article, you’ll discover everything you need to make the perfect pumpkin spice cookies, including tips, tricks, and variations that will make this recipe uniquely yours. Let’s dive into this delicious and easy-to-make treat that will quickly become a fall favorite in your household.

If you’re in the mood for more mouthwatering desserts, explore our Desserts category for a collection of tempting recipes that will satisfy your sweet cravings!

Why You’ll Love These Pumpkin Spice Cookies

Perfect for Thanksgiving: If you’re planning your Thanksgiving spread and looking for that perfect cookie to accompany your pumpkin pie and apple cider, look no further. Pumpkin spice cookies bring a little bit of everything you love about the season into one bite. They’re soft, flavorful, and simply irresistible.

Soft, Chewy Texture: These cookies are not the crunchy type. Instead, they’re soft and chewy, with just the right amount of spice to make every bite burst with flavor. The addition of pumpkin puree gives them a moist, tender texture that makes them stand out from your regular cookie recipes.

Easy to Make: What’s even better than a delicious cookie? A cookie that’s easy to make. With just a few simple ingredients, you can bake a batch of pumpkin spice cookies that will have your family and friends asking for the recipe.

Great for Gift-Giving: These cookies are perfect for homemade gifts. Whether you’re preparing Thanksgiving gift baskets or simply want to share the love, wrapping up a batch of these cookies in a cute tin or festive cellophane bags makes for a thoughtful and personal gift.

Ingredients for Pumpkin Spice Cookies

Before you start baking, gather these essential ingredients. Don’t worry; most of them are pantry staples, and if you already bake with pumpkin or spices, you likely have them on hand!

Key Ingredients:

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
All-purpose flour	2 1/2 cups	Sifted for light texture
Baking soda	1 teaspoon
Salt	1/2 teaspoon
Ground cinnamon	1 teaspoon
Ground nutmeg	1 teaspoon
Ground ginger	1/2 teaspoon
Ground cloves	1/2 teaspoon
Butter	1 cup	Softened
Brown sugar	1 cup	Packed for sweetness
Pumpkin puree	1 cup	Canned or fresh, no added sugar
Egg	1 large
Vanilla extract	1 teaspoon

Optional Add-ins:

Chocolate chips: Add them if you love chocolate, as it complements the pumpkin spice flavors beautifully.
Chopped nuts (like walnuts or pecans): Adds texture and crunch to your soft cookies.

Step-by-Step Instructions to Make Pumpkin Spice Cookies

Now that you have your ingredients ready, let’s jump into the baking process. Don’t worry—this recipe is simple, and I’ll guide you every step of the way to ensure you bake perfect pumpkin spice cookies every time.

1. Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This step is essential as it ensures your cookies bake evenly. While the oven is heating, line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This will prevent the cookies from sticking to the sheet and make cleanup easier.

2. Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium-sized bowl, combine your all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves). Whisk them together until the mixture is smooth and well-blended. These spices are what give your cookies that signature fall flavor, so be sure to get them mixed in evenly.

3. Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer or a hand whisk to cream the softened butter and brown sugar together. Beat them until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. This is the base of your cookie dough, so make sure the butter and sugar are well-combined to achieve that soft texture you love.

4. Add the Wet Ingredients

Next, add the pumpkin puree, egg, and vanilla extract to the creamed butter and sugar mixture. Mix them until everything is smooth and well-combined. The pumpkin puree not only adds flavor but also gives your cookies a wonderfully moist texture.

5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix—this can make your cookies tough. If you’re adding chocolate chips or nuts, now is the time to fold them in.

6. Scoop and Bake

Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to drop dough onto your prepared baking sheet. Make sure to leave about 2 inches between each cookie to allow for spreading as they bake. Bake the cookies in your preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until the edges turn golden brown. The tops of the cookies will still look slightly soft, but don’t worry—they’ll firm up as they cool.

7. Cool

Let the cookies sit on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents the cookies from breaking apart while they’re still soft. Enjoy the delicious aroma filling your kitchen as you wait!

Tips for Perfect Pumpkin Spice Cookies

To ensure your cookies turn out perfectly every time, here are a few helpful tips:

Making the perfect pumpkin spice cookies requires more than just following the recipe—it’s all about the small details that make a big difference. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or trying your hand at cookies for the first time, these tips will help you achieve soft, chewy, and perfectly spiced pumpkin spice cookies that will become your new fall favorite.

1. Chill the Dough for Thicker Cookies

If you love a thicker, puffier cookie that maintains its shape while baking, chilling the dough is key. Pumpkin dough is often softer than other cookie doughs because of the moisture from the pumpkin puree. When you chill the dough for about 30 minutes, it firms up, preventing the cookies from spreading too much as they bake. This is especially important if you prefer a more substantial, chewy texture in your cookies.

How to Chill the Dough:

After mixing the cookie dough, cover the bowl with plastic wrap or transfer the dough to an airtight container.
Place it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight if you want to prep ahead.
When ready to bake, scoop out the dough and place it on your baking sheet. You’ll notice the dough is firmer and easier to work with.

2. Properly Measure Your Flour

Measuring flour correctly can make or break your cookies. Too much flour can lead to dry, crumbly cookies, while too little can result in a dough that’s too wet and sticky. The best way to measure flour is by using the spoon-and-level method.

How to Measure Flour Correctly:

Use a spoon to scoop flour from the container into your measuring cup, then level it off with the back of a knife. This ensures you’re not packing in excess flour.
If you have a kitchen scale, measuring flour by weight (about 120 grams per cup) is the most accurate method.

Getting the correct flour-to-liquid ratio is vital for achieving the perfect cookie texture, and this small step will ensure your pumpkin spice cookies turn out soft and chewy, not dense or dry.

3. Don’t Overmix the Dough

It’s tempting to keep mixing the dough until it’s completely smooth, but overmixing can cause the cookies to become tough and dense. To keep your pumpkin spice cookies light and airy, mix the ingredients just until they are combined.

Why Overmixing Is a Problem:

Overmixing activates the gluten in the flour, which can lead to tougher cookies.
Instead, gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Stop mixing as soon as the dough is smooth and all the flour is incorporated.

For the best texture, mix the dough with care and avoid stirring vigorously.

4. Use Softened Butter for Better Texture

Using softened butter instead of melted butter is essential for the right texture in your cookies. Softened butter helps to create air pockets when it’s creamed with sugar, resulting in cookies that are light and tender. If your butter is too hard, it won’t cream properly with the sugar, and if it’s too soft, it can make the cookies spread too thin during baking.

How to Soften Butter:

Leave the butter out at room temperature for about 30-60 minutes before using it.
If you’re in a rush, cut the butter into small cubes, which will soften much faster.
Avoid microwaving butter to soften it, as it can become unevenly melted, which affects the texture of your dough.

By using softened butter, you’ll get the perfect balance of softness and texture in your pumpkin spice cookies.

5. Add Extra Spices for a Bold Flavor

While the traditional pumpkin spice mix (cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves) is what makes these cookies taste like fall, you can always adjust the spice mix to suit your personal taste. Adding a pinch of cardamom, allspice, or ground cloves can elevate the flavor and make the cookies even more aromatic and complex.

Customizing the Spice Mix:

Cardamom: Adds a slightly floral, citrusy note that complements the pumpkin perfectly.
Allspice: Gives the cookies a bit of warmth and depth, adding more complexity to the flavor profile.
Cloves: A little extra ground cloves can intensify the holiday flavor, but be careful—cloves are strong, so a little goes a long way.

Feel free to experiment with the amount of each spice to create your perfect blend. A small tweak in the spice mix can transform your pumpkin spice cookies into something uniquely yours.

6. Don’t Skip the Salt

It may seem counterintuitive to add salt to a sweet cookie recipe, but salt is essential for balancing the sweetness and enhancing the spices in the dough. A small amount of salt will elevate the flavors of the pumpkin and spices, making the cookies taste fuller and richer. Without salt, the cookies may taste overly sweet or one-dimensional.

How Much Salt to Use:

A 1/2 teaspoon of salt is perfect for a batch of pumpkin spice cookies, but you can adjust to taste if you prefer a slightly saltier or sweeter balance.

Even a small amount of salt can make a big difference in how your cookies taste, so don’t skip this ingredient!

7. Use Parchment Paper or Silicone Mats for Easy Cleanup

Baking cookies can sometimes be a messy process, but using parchment paper or a silicone baking mat can make cleanup a breeze. These liners not only prevent your cookies from sticking to the pan but also help them bake evenly.

Benefits of Using Parchment Paper or a Silicone Mat:

Prevents sticking: Your cookies will slide right off the paper or mat once they’ve cooled.
Ensures even baking: The heat distribution from these materials helps your cookies bake evenly.
Easy cleanup: No scrubbing or soaking your baking sheets afterward—just toss the parchment paper or wipe down the silicone mat.

This small investment will save you time and energy and make your baking experience much smoother.

8. Experiment with Add-ins for Extra Flavor

While these pumpkin spice cookies are delicious on their own, you can easily personalize them by adding extras like chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or even dried cranberries. These add-ins provide texture and flavor contrasts that make the cookies even more interesting.

Ideas for Add-ins:

Chocolate chips: White, milk, or dark chocolate chips complement the warm spices and sweet pumpkin.
Chopped nuts: Walnuts, pecans, or hazelnuts add a delightful crunch and nutty flavor that pairs well with the soft pumpkin cookies.
Dried cranberries or raisins: These add a burst of tartness that balances the sweetness of the cookie.

Mix and match these add-ins to create the perfect version of pumpkin spice cookies for your tastes. Be sure to fold in your extras gently to avoid overmixing.

9. Bake Until Just Set

Overbaking cookies can lead to dry, crumbly results, so it’s important to watch the cookies closely as they bake. Pumpkin spice cookies should be baked until the edges are golden brown, but the centers should still look soft. The cookies will continue to set as they cool on the baking sheet.

How to Know When They’re Done:

The cookies should look slightly puffed up and lightly browned on the edges.
The centers should still be soft, but the cookies will firm up as they cool.
If you like chewier cookies, bake for a slightly shorter time.

Bake your pumpkin spice cookies until they’re just set, and avoid baking until they’re completely firm to the touch.

10. Store Your Cookies Properly for Freshness

Once your cookies are baked, it’s important to store them properly so they stay fresh and delicious for as long as possible. Air-tight containers are essential for preserving the soft, chewy texture of these cookies.

How to Store Your Pumpkin Spice Cookies:

Room temperature: Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. If you want to keep them longer, place a slice of bread in the container to help maintain their moisture.
Freezing: To keep cookies for up to 3 months, freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer the cookies to a freezer-safe container or Ziploc bag. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

With the right storage, your pumpkin spice cookies will stay fresh, moist, and perfect for days after baking.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I use fresh pumpkin puree instead of canned?

Absolutely! If you’re using fresh pumpkin, make sure to cook and drain the excess moisture to prevent your dough from being too runny.

How can I make these cookies gluten-free?

You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that’s designed for baking. Just make sure to check the proportions as some gluten-free flour blends may require adjustments in the recipe.

Can I add other spices or ingredients?

Yes, feel free to experiment! You could add a dash of cardamom or allspice for a more complex flavor profile. You can also mix in some white chocolate chips, dried cranberries, or chopped pecans for added texture.

Can I use brown sugar substitute for a healthier option?

You can use coconut sugar or monk fruit sweetener as a substitute for brown sugar, though this may slightly alter the flavor and texture of the cookies.

Conclusion: A Simple, Delicious Fall Treat

There you have it! These pumpkin spice cookies are the perfect way to embrace the flavors of fall. Whether you’re baking them for Thanksgiving, a fall gathering, or just because, these cookies are guaranteed to be a hit. They’re easy to make, customizable, and most importantly, delicious.

For another delicious fall treat, be sure to try our rich and buttery Pecan Pie recipe—it’s the perfect complement to your pumpkin spice cookies!

Ready to start baking? Gather your ingredients, preheat the oven, and enjoy the sweet, spicy aroma of these cozy cookies filling your kitchen. You won’t regret it!