Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

If you’re ready to embrace all things cozy, spiced, and delightfully sweet, look no further than these Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting. Each cookie is pillowy and moist, kissed with warm spices, and topped with a generous swoop of creamy, tangy frosting. They’re the ultimate autumn treat — perfect for sharing at gatherings or keeping all to yourself with a mug of coffee. One bite, and you’ll see why this recipe is adored by cookie lovers of all ages.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting is that each ingredient really pulls its weight. The combination of classic baking staples and a few seasonal touches creates cookies that are tender, flavorful, and absolutely irresistible. Here’s how every component shines:

• Unsalted butter: Softened butter gives both the cookies and the frosting their melt-in-your-mouth richness and contributes to the pillowy texture.
• Granulated sugar: Adds classic sweetness and helps the cookies bake up tender.
• Brown sugar: Brings moisture and a hint of molasses, amplifying the cookies’ softness and flavor depth.
• Canned pumpkin purée: The star of the show! Pumpkin not only brings that signature autumn flavor but also makes the cookies exceptionally moist and colorful.
• Large egg: Provides structure and helps bind the dough together.
• Vanilla extract: Balances flavors in both the cookies and the luscious frosting.
• All-purpose flour: Forms the foundation for the soft, cake-like crumb.
• Baking powder and baking soda: These leaveners make sure your cookies puff up and stay cloud-like.
• Salt: Enhances every flavor in the mix, both in the cookies and the frosting.
• Ground cinnamon: Brings that beloved spicy warmth to every bite.
• Ground nutmeg: Adds subtle earthiness, rounding out the spice profile.
• Ground cloves: Just a pinch delivers a distinct, aromatic touch.
• Cream cheese: The magic behind our dreamy, tangy frosting — be sure it’s softened for smooth mixing.
• Powdered sugar: Dissolves seamlessly into the frosting, creating a fluffy, sweet finish.

How to Make Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting

Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Baking Sheets

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining two baking sheets with parchment paper. This small step is surprisingly important — that parchment ensures your cookies bake evenly and makes cleanup a total breeze!

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars Together

In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Beat them together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This creates tiny air pockets, helping your Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting bake up puffed and lovely.

Step 3: Mix in Wet Ingredients

Add in the pumpkin purée, egg, and vanilla extract. Give it all a good mix until everything is totally smooth and well combined. At this stage, your dough will already smell like fall in the best way.

Step 4: Whisk and Add Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Gradually blend these dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Try not to over-mix — stopping as soon as no more streaks of flour remain keeps your cookies soft and tender.

Step 5: Shape and Bake the Cookies

Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for a little spreading. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes, or until the edges are set and the bottoms are just lightly golden. Let them cool on the pans for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Trust me, they’ll smell amazing but patience now means perfect frosting later!

Step 6: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting

While your cookies cool, beat together the softened cream cheese and unsalted butter until smooth and lump-free. Add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt, and beat again until the frosting is fluffy and light. This creamy topping is what sets Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting apart — don’t skimp!

Step 7: Frost and Finish

Once the cookies are completely cool, use a spatula or butter knife to generously frost each one. If you want to get fancy, a piping bag works too. The result? Soft, spiced cookies topped with a dreamy cloud of sweet-tangy frosting.

How to Serve Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting

Garnishes

Take your Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting to the next level by sprinkling chopped toasted pecans or a dusting of cinnamon sugar on top. A little extra spice or nutty crunch adds both texture and visual flair — a small touch that guests always notice.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair beautifully with autumn-inspired beverages such as hot apple cider, chai lattes, or even a cold glass of milk. For an afternoon treat, serve them alongside fresh fruit or a platter of other spiced cookies for irresistible variety. They’re also a showstopper on a holiday dessert table!

Creative Ways to Present

Pile your cookies high on a rustic cake stand, arrange them in neat rows on a baking sheet lined with a seasonal dish towel, or package them up in clear bags with festive ribbons for a homemade gift. For parties, you can even make a “cookie sandwich” by spreading frosting between two cookies for an extra indulgent twist on Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep frosted cookies fresh by storing them in a single layer in an airtight container in the fridge. If you need to stack them, lay a sheet of parchment paper between each layer to prevent sticking and smudging — this keeps the frosting looking perfect and the cookies soft for up to 5 days.

Freezing

Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting are freezer-friendly, but for best results, freeze the cookies plain and prepare the frosting fresh. Stack cooled cookies between sheets of parchment and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature, then frost just before serving. If you must freeze them already frosted, separate with parchment and store in an airtight container to keep the texture creamy.

Reheating

To revive that just-baked softness, pop unfrosted cookies in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 5 minutes or microwave for 10 seconds. Let them cool before frosting again. Already frosted cookies are best enjoyed chilled or at room temperature — no need to reheat!

FAQs

Can I use fresh pumpkin instead of canned purée?

Absolutely! Just make sure to roast, puree, and strain your fresh pumpkin until it’s as smooth and thick as store-bought. This helps your Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting stay moist but not soggy.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes! You can mix the cookie dough up to 48 hours in advance. Store it tightly covered in the fridge. Cookies may take an extra minute or two to bake if you’re working with chilled dough.

How do I make the frosting thicker or thinner?

If your cream cheese frosting is too thick, add a splash of milk; if it’s too thin, gradually beat in more powdered sugar until you reach the perfect spreading consistency. The goal is a luxuriously creamy topping that holds its shape on your Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting.

Can these cookies be made gluten-free?

Definitely! Swap the all-purpose flour for your favorite gluten-free flour blend (one intended for 1:1 substitution works best). The cookies still bake up fluffy and delicious with all the pumpkin spice flavor.

What’s the best way to transport frosted cookies?

Arrange cookies in a single layer in a deep, airtight container, using parchment paper to keep them separated. Refrigerate before traveling so the cream cheese frosting sets up a bit — your Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting will arrive safe, tasty, and gorgeous.

Final Thoughts

Every batch of Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting brings a little bit of autumn magic to your table. Whether you bake them for a celebration or a quiet afternoon treat, these cookies never fail to warm hearts and spark smiles. Give them a try, and don’t be surprised if they become your new seasonal go-to!

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