Soft Pumpkin Spice Cookies – BestDessertRecipe

Welcome to your next favorite fall treat—Soft Pumpkin Spice Cookies. These cookies are tender, pillowy, and packed with all the warm, cozy spices that make autumn desserts so special. With real pumpkin puree, a touch of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger, and a buttery soft texture, they are the perfect sweet snack for crisp afternoons, cozy nights, or festive gatherings.

Why You’ll Love These Cookies

There are countless reasons to fall in love with these pumpkin spice cookies, but let’s start with a few:

Ultra Soft & Fluffy: Thanks to the moisture from pumpkin puree and a balanced dough, each bite melts in your mouth.
Perfectly Spiced: A warm blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves captures the essence of fall.
No Chilling Required: The dough is quick to mix and ready to bake without waiting around.
Kid-Friendly & Crowd-Pleasing: Sweet and mellow flavors make them a hit with everyone.

Ingredients

Here’s everything you’ll need to bring these cookies to life:

1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup (100g) brown sugar, packed
1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
3/4 cup (180g) pumpkin puree
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 and 3/4 cups (220g) all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1/8 tsp ground cloves (optional)

Instructions

These cookies come together quickly, with just a few steps for mixing and baking. Let’s dive in:

Step 1: Preheat Your Oven

Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar using a hand mixer or stand mixer. Beat on medium speed until light and fluffy—about 2 to 3 minutes.

Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients

Mix in the pumpkin puree, egg, and vanilla extract until fully combined. The mixture will be creamy and slightly loose due to the moisture in the pumpkin.

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and all the spices: cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. Make sure everything is evenly distributed.

Step 5: Mix the Dough

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix on low speed or by hand until no streaks of flour remain. Do not overmix.

Step 6: Scoop and Bake

Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to portion the dough onto the prepared baking sheets. Leave about 2 inches between each cookie, as they will spread slightly. Bake for 11–13 minutes, or until the edges are set and the tops are puffed and slightly golden.

Step 7: Cool

Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Baking Tips

Use pure pumpkin puree: Avoid pumpkin pie filling, which contains added sugars and spices. You want full control over your cookie flavor.
Don’t overbake: These cookies are meant to be soft and fluffy. Overbaking can dry them out quickly.
Chill the dough (optional): If you want even puffier cookies, you can chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking. This step is optional.

Flavor Variations

Here are some simple ways to make these cookies your own:

Add chocolate chips: Fold in 1/2 cup of semi-sweet or white chocolate chips for a sweet contrast.
Make them glazed: Mix 1/2 cup powdered sugar with 1–2 teaspoons of milk and drizzle over cooled cookies.
Add a cream cheese swirl: Add a small dollop of sweetened cream cheese in the center before baking for a richer taste.

Storage Instructions

Store your pumpkin spice cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. To keep them extra soft, add a slice of bread to the container—this helps maintain moisture. You can also freeze them:

To freeze dough: Scoop dough onto a tray, freeze until solid, then store in a zip-top bag. Bake from frozen, adding 1–2 extra minutes.
To freeze baked cookies: Let them cool completely, then freeze in a single layer. Thaw at room temperature before enjoying.

When to Serve These Cookies

These cookies are versatile and perfect for:

Fall parties and pumpkin-themed gatherings
Halloween or Thanksgiving dessert tables
Lunchbox treats or after-school snacks
Pairing with tea, coffee, or a warm latte on a cold afternoon

Final Thoughts

These soft pumpkin spice cookies are everything you want in an autumn dessert—easy to make, richly flavored, and incredibly satisfying. Whether you serve them at a festive party, pack them into a cozy picnic basket, or bake a batch just because the leaves are turning, these cookies deliver all the fall feels in every bite.

Try them out, and don’t forget to share them with friends and family—they won’t last long!