Soft and Cakey Pumpkin Spice Cookies with a Cream Cheese Frosting

As the air turns crisp and the leaves begin to change, there’s nothing more comforting than the warm, inviting aroma of pumpkin and spices. These Pumpkin Spice Cookies are the perfect embodiment of that feeling. Unlike traditional crunchy cookies, these are wonderfully soft and cakey, with a delicate texture that almost melts in your mouth. Each cookie is infused with a rich blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, and crowned with a luscious, tangy cream cheese frosting. The result is a dessert that brings together all the classic flavors of fall in a new and delightful way. They are light, flavorful, and incredibly easy to make, making them the perfect treat for any occasion. These cookies aren’t just a dessert—they’re a celebration of the season in every single bite.

Why You’ll Love This:

• Irresistible Texture: These cookies are uniquely soft and cakey, with a pillowy texture that sets them apart from the rest. The addition of pumpkin purée and a blend of leavening agents creates a delicate crumb that is incredibly moist and tender. They are a true delight to eat, providing a comforting and satisfying experience with every bite.
• Classic Flavor Combination: The timeless pairing of warm pumpkin spice with a creamy, tangy cream cheese frosting is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. The blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves provides a rich, comforting flavor that is perfectly balanced by the sweet and slightly tangy frosting.
• A Simple, No-Fuss Recipe: This recipe is straightforward and easy to follow, making it perfect for bakers of all skill levels. With just a single bowl for mixing the dough and a simple process for the frosting, you can create a truly professional-looking and tasting dessert without any complicated techniques.
• Perfect for Sharing: These cookies have a universal appeal that makes them a fantastic treat for any event. Serve them at parties, bring them to a bake sale, or enjoy them during a cozy family gathering. They are sure to satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth and become a new favorite.

Perfect Occasion:

These Pumpkin Spice Cookies are a versatile dessert that fits into many different settings with ease and elegance. Their warm, spiced flavor makes them a favorite during the crisp days of fall and winter, where they provide a comforting sense of warmth and coziness. Serve them at a special brunch, where their inviting aroma will draw everyone to the table. They make a fantastic addition to family breakfasts, holiday feasts, or even as a simple dessert for a casual coffee date with friends. The cookies’ homemade charm and comforting flavors make them the star of any table, offering a familiar yet special touch that feels both effortless and elegant. No matter the event, these cookies are sure to be a beloved and memorable part of the meal.

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Serving and Decoration Tips:

• A Simple Cinnamon Sprinkle: For an easy and elegant finish, you can sprinkle a little extra cinnamon over the top of the frosted cookies. The cinnamon adds a pop of color and signals the warm, spiced flavors within, creating a beautiful and simple presentation.
• Add a Crunchy Topping: For a delightful contrast in texture, you can sprinkle some finely chopped toasted pecans or walnuts on top of the frosting. The crunch of the nuts pairs perfectly with the soft cookie and creamy frosting.
• A Drizzle of Caramel: For an even more decadent finish, you can drizzle a homemade or store-bought caramel sauce over the frosted cookies. The sweet, buttery notes of the caramel will pair perfectly with the tangy cream cheese and spiced pumpkin.
• Serve with a Warm Beverage: These cookies are the perfect partner for a warm cup of coffee or a creamy latte. The rich flavors of the coffee will complement the warm spices in the cookies, creating a cozy and comforting combination.

Ingredients:

• For the Cookies: The foundation of these soft and cakey cookies is a combination of both wet and dry ingredients. The dry ingredients include all-purpose flour (2 1/2 cups) for structure, baking soda (1/2 tsp) and baking powder (1/2 tsp) for a light, fluffy texture, and a pinch of salt to balance the sweetness. For a deep, spiced flavor, we use a blend of cinnamon (1 Tbsp), ground nutmeg (1/4 tsp), ground cloves (1/4 tsp), and pumpkin pie spice (1/2 tsp). For the wet ingredients, we use brown sugar (1/2 cup) and granulated sugar (1/2 cup) for sweetness and moisture, softened unsalted butter (1/2 cup) for richness, vanilla extract (1 tsp) for aroma, and pumpkin purée (1 cup) for flavor and a soft, cakey crumb.
• For the Frosting: This creamy, tangy frosting is a simple but luxurious finish. It’s made with cream cheese (4 oz) and butter (2 Tbsp) that are at room temperature to ensure a smooth texture. The frosting is sweetened with powdered sugar (1/2 cup), and thinned with a tablespoon of milk. A hint of vanilla extract (1/2 tsp) completes the flavor profile.

Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare the Dough
Preheat your oven to 350°F. In a large mixing bowl, use an electric hand mixer to cream the softened butter and both sugars together for about 3 minutes. The mixture should be light, pale, and fluffy. Add in the pumpkin purée and vanilla extract, mixing until everything is fully combined and smooth. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, pumpkin pie spice, and cloves. Fold this dry mixture into the wet ingredients until a dough forms. The dough will be very sticky, which is exactly what you want for a soft, cakey cookie.

Step 2: Shape and Bake
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. To handle the sticky dough, wet your hands with a little water before rolling it into balls. Use about 2 tablespoons of dough per ball. Place the balls on the prepared baking sheet. Gently flatten the cookies with the palm of your hand or a spatula, as they will puff up during baking. If you prefer a thinner cookie, use a smaller amount of dough and flatten them more. Bake for 15 minutes. The cookies will be soft and delicate when they come out of the oven. Let them cool completely on a cooling rack before you frost them.

Step 3: Make the Frosting and Decorate
While the cookies are cooling, make the frosting. In a medium bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the room temperature cream cheese and butter together until the mixture is smooth and combined. Add in the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. Mix on low speed until the sugar is incorporated, then increase the speed to medium and mix until the frosting is light, fluffy, and smooth. Once the cookies have cooled completely, it’s time to frost them. Make sure they are cool to the touch, or the frosting will melt. You can use a knife or a small offset spatula to spread the frosting over the top of each cookie. For a simple and beautiful presentation, sprinkle some cinnamon on top.

Make Ahead Options

These Pumpkin Spice Cookies are a fantastic make-ahead dessert, perfect for saving time when you’re preparing for a gathering. You can prepare the cookie dough up to two days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to bake, simply scoop the dough and bake as instructed. The cream cheese frosting can also be made a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Just be sure to let it come to room temperature and give it a quick stir before frosting the cookies. For the freshest taste, it’s best to bake and frost the cookies on the day you plan to serve them.

Storage Tips for Pumpkin Spice Cookies

• Refrigerator: Since these cookies have a cream cheese frosting, the best way to store them is in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh and delicious for up to a week. The airtight container will keep the cookies from drying out and prevent them from absorbing any other odors from the fridge.
• Freezer: For longer storage, you can freeze the unfrosted cookies. Once they have cooled completely, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then, transfer the cookies to a freezer-safe bag or container, with parchment paper between layers. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw them at room temperature and then prepare the fresh frosting just before serving.

Tips for the Best Pumpkin Spice Cookies

• Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your butter, cream cheese, and egg (if you were using one) are at room temperature. This will allow them to cream together smoothly and prevent any lumps from forming in your batter or frosting.
• Mind the Pumpkin Purée: The consistency of your pumpkin purée is crucial for a soft, cakey cookie. If it seems too watery, you can place it on a paper towel and gently squeeze out some of the excess moisture until it is thick and holds its shape. This will prevent your dough from becoming too wet.
• Don’t Overmix the Dough: When you add the dry ingredients to the wet, mix only until the ingredients are just combined. A few lumps are okay. Overmixing will develop the gluten in the flour and result in a tough, dense cookie.
• Wet Hands for Sticky Dough: The dough is meant to be sticky for a cakey texture. To make it easier to roll into balls, simply wet your hands with a little water before handling the dough.
• Cool Completely: Do not frost the cookies until they have cooled completely. If they are even slightly warm, the cream cheese frosting will melt and slide off, creating a mess.

Pumpkin Spice Cookies Variations & Substitutions:

• Chocolate Chip Cookies: For a delicious twist, fold in a cup of white chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate chips into the dough just before rolling it into balls. The chocolate will pair beautifully with the warm spices.
• Nutty Crunch: Add a half-cup of finely chopped pecans or walnuts to the dough for a satisfying crunch that pairs perfectly with the soft cookie.
• A Different Frosting: If you prefer, you can use a simple powdered sugar glaze instead of the cream cheese frosting. Simply whisk together powdered sugar, a little milk, and a dash of vanilla until it reaches a smooth, pourable consistency.
• Spice Blend: If you don’t have all the individual spices, you can use a full teaspoon of a good-quality pumpkin pie spice blend in the dough.

What to Serve with Pumpkin Spice Cookies:

These cookies are a delightful treat on their own, but they are also the perfect partner for a variety of beverages. A warm cup of black coffee or a creamy latte is a classic pairing that complements the rich, sweet flavors of the cookie. For a cozier feel, serve it with a mug of warm apple cider or a spicy chai tea latte. The warm spices in the drinks will harmonize beautifully with the cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger in the cookies. For an indulgent dessert, serve a warm slice with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a generous dollop of whipped cream on top. The contrast of warm and cold is simply divine.

Pumpkin Spice Cookies FAQs:

• Why is my cookie dough so sticky?
  The dough for these cookies is intentionally sticky. This is what helps to create the cakey, soft texture. To make it easier to handle and roll into balls, simply wet your hands with a little water before you begin. You can also lightly flour your hands, but wetting them works best.
• Can I use pumpkin pie filling instead of purée?
  No, you should not use pumpkin pie filling. Pumpkin pie filling is already sweetened and spiced, which will throw off the balance of the recipe. The recipe calls for plain pumpkin purée, which is just cooked and mashed pumpkin.
• Why did my frosting melt off the cookies?
  The most common reason for frosting melting is that the cookies were not completely cool when you frosted them. It is crucial to let the cookies cool to room temperature on a wire rack before applying the cream cheese frosting, as any residual warmth will cause it to melt.
• How can I make these cookies thinner?
  To make the cookies thinner and less cakey, you can use a smaller amount of dough per cookie and flatten them more with your hand or the bottom of a glass before baking. This will help them spread more in the oven.
• Can I make a high-top version of these cookies?
  To make the cookies puff up more, you can use a slightly larger amount of dough per cookie (about 3 tablespoons) and only flatten them lightly, or not at all. This will create a rounder, higher cookie with a softer center.