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Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 58 reviews

Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting are tender, spiced cookies perfect for fall. Featuring warm cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, these cookies are soft-baked to perfection and topped with a rich, creamy vanilla-flavored cream cheese frosting. Ideal for holiday gatherings or everyday treats.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Cookie Dough

  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2–4 tablespoons milk (or heavy cream), for desired consistency

Instructions

  1. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. Set aside to use later.
  2. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl or stand mixer, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together for 3-5 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy, creating a smooth base for the dough.
  3. Add Pumpkin Puree, Egg, and Vanilla: Beat in the pumpkin puree until fully incorporated. Then add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth. Be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl for even mixing.
  4. Gradually Add Dry Ingredients: Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing at low speed just until everything is combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
  5. Chill the Dough: Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm up the dough and enhance flavor. You may chill for up to 24 hours.
  6. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper or silicone baking mats for easy cookie removal.
  7. Scoop and Shape the Dough: Use a cookie scoop or spoon to drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow spreading.
  8. Bake the Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden and the centers are set but soft.
  9. Cool the Cookies: Remove the baking sheets from the oven and let the cookies cool for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
  10. Cream Butter and Cream Cheese (Frosting): In a large bowl or stand mixer, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy to form the frosting base.
  11. Gradually Add Powdered Sugar (Frosting): Add the powdered sugar one cup at a time, mixing on low speed to incorporate each addition evenly without dusting.
  12. Add Vanilla Extract and Milk (Frosting): Stir in the vanilla extract. Then gradually add milk or heavy cream one tablespoon at a time until the frosting achieves your desired spreadable consistency.
  13. Frost the Cookies: Once cookies are completely cooled, spread or pipe the cream cheese frosting onto the tops of each cookie.
  14. Optional Decorations: Decorate frosted cookies as desired with sprinkles, chopped nuts, or a light dusting of cinnamon for extra flavor and presentation.
  15. Serve and Enjoy: Serve the frosted pumpkin cookies immediately or store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days to keep them fresh.

Notes

  • Use pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling, to control sweetness and consistency.
  • Chilling the dough is key for easier shaping and improved texture.
  • Don’t overbake; cookies should be soft and slightly chewy in the center.
  • Adjust the amount of milk in the frosting to get the perfect spreading consistency.
  • Cookies can be stored refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen without frosting for longer storage.

Keywords: soft pumpkin cookies, pumpkin cookies with cream cheese frosting, fall cookies, spiced pumpkin cookies, easy pumpkin cookie recipe, cream cheese frosting recipe

Find it online: https://recipeswithmia.com/soft-pumpkin-cookies-with-cream-cheese-frosting-recipe/