Description
Soft, spiced pumpkin cookies emerge golden from the oven, their centers tender and moist. A cloud of silky cream cheese frosting adds tangy sweetness, while cinnamon notes swirl through each melt-in-your-mouth bite.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl beat together 1 cup butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Mix in pumpkin puree, egg, and vanilla extract until fully combined.
- In a separate bowl whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir until just combined.
- Drop rounded tablespoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until the edges are set but centers remain soft.
- Let cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
- Meanwhile, in a bowl beat cream cheese and 1/4 cup butter until smooth and creamy.
- Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract to the cream cheese mixture and beat until light and fluffy.
- Once cookies are completely cooled, spread or pipe the cream cheese frosting on top of each cookie.
Notes
- Store frosted cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- For firmer cookies, chill the dough for 1 hour before baking.
- Use full-fat cream cheese for the best frosting consistency and flavor.
- Sprinkle a light dusting of cinnamon on each frosted cookie for extra aroma.