Pumpkin Sugar Cookies are the soft, spiced treats your fall baking list needs. These cookies are everything cozy: buttery edges, a cake-like interior, and just the right touch of pumpkin flavor. Whether you’re baking for Halloween, Thanksgiving, or a crisp Saturday morning, these cookies bring comforting warmth with each bite. And let’s not forget the luscious cream cheese frosting, it’s the crowning glory that makes them absolutely unforgettable. This post will walk you through why you’ll love this recipe, what you need to make it, how to bring it all together, and my favorite tips to make it your own. Let’s get baking.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love These Pumpkin Sugar Cookies
There’s something nostalgic and heartwarming about pumpkin cookies, especially when they’re kissed with cinnamon and topped with silky cream cheese frosting. But these aren’t your average cookies; they’re soft, tender, and full of pumpkin spice flavor without being too cakey. They’re sweet enough for dessert but simple enough to enjoy with your morning coffee.
What makes them truly special is their texture; slightly chewy on the edges with a melt-in-your-mouth center. They freeze well, travel beautifully, and decorate like a dream for fall gatherings. Plus, they’re perfect for making with kids; no chill time, no fuss, just joy.
If you’ve tried our Pumpkin Patch Dirt Cups or cozy Pumpkin Bread, this recipe is the next one you’ll want to keep in your fall baking rotation.
The real magic comes when you slather on that cream cheese frosting. It adds tangy contrast and elevates the cookie from simple to special. Whether you serve them at a party or as a sweet afternoon treat, Pumpkin Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting are guaranteed to win hearts, and seconds.
Ready to turn your kitchen into a cozy fall bakery? These cookies are your ticket.
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Pumpkin Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting
Soft, warmly spiced pumpkin sugar cookies topped with rich cream cheese frosting. These fall treats are easy to make and always a crowd favorite.
- Total Time: 27 mins
- Yield: 18 cookies 1x
Ingredients
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup canned pumpkin puree
1 egg yolk
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
Cream Cheese Frosting:
4 oz cream cheese, softened
2 tbsp butter, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Cream butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Mix in pumpkin puree, egg yolk, and vanilla extract until combined.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and pumpkin pie spice.
5. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients. Mix until just combined.
6. Scoop dough onto baking sheets. Slightly flatten each cookie.
7. Bake for 10–12 minutes until edges are set. Cool completely.
8. For frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth.
9. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt. Beat until fluffy.
10. Frost cooled cookies and sprinkle with extra pumpkin spice if desired.
Notes
Store frosted cookies in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Freeze unfrosted cookies for up to 2 months.
Use room-temp ingredients for best frosting consistency.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 12 mins
- Category: Cookies, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 170
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 85mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Ingredients for Perfect Pumpkin Sugar Cookies
Great pumpkin cookies start with the right blend of pantry staples and fall-inspired ingredients. You likely have most of these on hand, which means you’re just a few steps away from deliciousness. This recipe balances moisture, sweetness, and spice to deliver soft, flavorful cookies every time.
What You’ll Need for the Cookies:
- Unsalted butter – Softened, not melted. This gives you that rich, creamy base.
- Granulated sugar – Just enough sweetness without overpowering the pumpkin.
- Brown sugar – Adds warmth and helps keep the cookies soft.
- Pumpkin puree – Use pure canned pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling.
- Egg yolk – Adds richness and helps bind the dough.
- Vanilla extract – Essential for flavor depth.
- All-purpose flour – Spoon and level to avoid dense cookies.
- Baking powder & baking soda – Helps lift the cookies just right.
- Salt – A pinch makes all the other flavors pop.
- Pumpkin pie spice – The cozy blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger.
What You’ll Need for the Frosting:
- Cream cheese – Use full-fat for the creamiest texture.
- Butter – Softened for a smooth whip.
- Powdered sugar – Sweetens and thickens the frosting.
- Vanilla extract – For classic bakery-style flavor.
- Pinch of salt – Just a bit balances the sweetness.
You can sprinkle a little cinnamon or extra pumpkin pie spice on top for decoration, or even try crushed graham crackers for a playful twist.
If you love layering fall flavors, these cookies pair beautifully with a cup of cider or next to something creamy like Apple Pumpkin Streusel Muffins. Or serve alongside No Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars for a full-on pumpkin dessert spread.
How to Make Pumpkin Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting
Making these pumpkin sugar cookies is a simple process with big flavor payoff. No chilling, no special tools—just a few mixing bowls, a baking sheet, and the sweet scent of pumpkin spice filling your kitchen.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Preheat and prep
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats for easy cleanup and perfectly baked bottoms.
2. Cream butter and sugars
In a large bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until light and fluffy; about 2–3 minutes. This step builds air and gives your cookies their soft texture.
3. Add wet ingredients
Mix in the pumpkin puree, egg yolk, and vanilla extract. The mixture might look a bit curdled at first, but keep going until it’s fully combined.
4. Add dry ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and pumpkin pie spice. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until a dough forms. Don’t overmix, stop as soon as everything is incorporated.
5. Scoop and bake
Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to drop dough balls onto your baking sheets. Slightly flatten them with the back of a spoon or your fingers. Bake for 10–12 minutes or until the edges are set and the centers look puffed.
6. Cool and frost
Let the cookies cool on the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Once completely cooled, frost each cookie generously with cream cheese frosting.
These cookies are a treat on their own but can be part of a cozy fall breakfast too, especially alongside Pumpkin French Toast Casserole or a warm slice of Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal.
Tips and Variations for the Best Pumpkin Sugar Cookies
Pumpkin cookies are wonderfully forgiving, but a few clever tweaks and pro tips can take them from good to unforgettable. Whether you’re baking them for a fall bake sale or cozying up with a blanket and tea, here’s how to get the most out of this recipe.
Tips for Foolproof Pumpkin Cookies
- Use room-temperature ingredients
Make sure your butter, egg yolk, and cream cheese are all softened. This ensures even mixing and smooth frosting. - Don’t overbake
These cookies don’t brown like typical sugar cookies. Pull them out once the edges are set. Overbaking can make them dry and cakey. - Frost when cool
Patience pays off—frosting warm cookies will cause the cream cheese topping to melt. Wait until they’re fully cool for the best texture and look. - Store them right
Keep the cookies in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. They taste even better on day two after the flavors settle.
Creative Variations to Try
- Add mix-ins
Fold in mini white chocolate chips, chopped pecans, or even toffee bits to the dough for added texture and flavor. - Make them sandwich cookies
Double the cookies up with frosting in the middle for a fun twist—and a bigger bite. - Spice it up
Swap the pumpkin pie spice for chai spice or add a pinch of cardamom for a new flavor dimension. - Make it gluten-free
Substitute with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. These cookies hold up well with slight modifications. - Drizzle or dust
Try a light maple glaze drizzle or a dusting of cinnamon sugar over the frosting for extra flair.
For more fall flavor inspiration, these Pumpkin Cream Cheese Baked Oatmeal squares are another cozy option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make pumpkin sugar cookies ahead of time?
Yes! Pumpkin sugar cookies are a great make-ahead dessert. You can bake the cookies a day or two in advance and store them (unfrosted) in an airtight container at room temperature. For best results, add the cream cheese frosting on the day you plan to serve them. The flavor even deepens after resting overnight.
Do pumpkin cookies need to be refrigerated?
If you’ve added cream cheese frosting, yes, refrigeration is essential. Store the frosted cookies in a single layer in an airtight container in the fridge. If unfrosted, they can stay at room temperature for up to 2 days. Either way, keep them sealed to maintain softness.
Why are my pumpkin cookies cakey?
Pumpkin adds moisture, so it’s normal for these cookies to have a cake-like texture. However, too much flour or overbaking can make them overly cakey and dry. Always measure your flour correctly (spoon and level) and pull the cookies out as soon as the edges are set for the softest bite.
Can I freeze pumpkin sugar cookies with frosting?
Yes, you can, but with a few tips. Freeze frosted cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to an airtight container with parchment between layers. Thaw in the fridge or at room temperature before serving. Alternatively, freeze the cookies unfrosted and add the cream cheese topping fresh.
Final Note
Pumpkin Sugar Cookies are the kind of cozy treat that feels like fall in every bite—soft, warmly spiced, and finished with a velvety layer of cream cheese frosting. They’re easy to make, fun to decorate, and impossible to eat just one. Whether you’re making a batch for a fall bake sale, prepping a Thanksgiving dessert table, or just treating yourself on a crisp autumn afternoon, these cookies deliver comfort and flavor in one perfect bite.
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