If you love the cozy flavors of fall baked into a sweet treat, you will absolutely adore this Pumpkin Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe. These cookies perfectly blend the rich warmth of pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice with the creamy tang of luscious cream cheese frosting, creating a tender, melt-in-your-mouth sensation. Whether you need a festive dessert for a gathering or a comforting snack to brighten your afternoon, these cookies strike the perfect balance between soft, flavorful dough and smooth frosting. Get ready to fall in love bite after bite!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Creating these pumpkin sugar cookies is simple and satisfying thanks to a handful of essential ingredients, each bringing something special to the table. From the soft butter that gives tenderness to the pumpkin purée that adds moisture and vibrant color, every element works in harmony to make these cookies shine.
- Unsalted butter: Provides rich flavor and tender texture when creamed with sugars.
- Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with cookie structure and slight crispness on the edges.
- Brown sugar: Brings a subtle molasses flavor that enriches the pumpkin notes.
- Pumpkin purée: The star ingredient adding moisture, color, and that unmistakable autumn appeal.
- Large egg: Binds ingredients together while contributing to the cookie’s softness.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances and rounds out all the flavors beautifully.
- Pumpkin pie spice: A blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves that infuses each bite with fall magic.
- All-purpose flour: Forms the base of the cookie dough, providing structure.
- Baking powder and baking soda: Leavening agents that help cookies rise just right.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and enriches overall flavor depth.
- Cream cheese: Creates the decadent frosting that complements the pumpkin perfectly.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting for smooth spreading.
How to Make Pumpkin Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheet
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C), making sure it reaches the perfect baking temperature. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking. This simple prep step sets the foundation for perfectly baked cookies.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars
In a large bowl, use a mixer to cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This aeration is key to that tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture everyone loves in a sugar cookie.
Step 3: Mix in Wet Ingredients
Next, add your pumpkin purée, egg, and vanilla extract directly to the butter and sugar mixture and blend until fully combined. The pumpkin gives the dough moisture and a gorgeous orange hue that signals all the flavors to come.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients and Incorporate
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and pumpkin pie spice. Gradually add this dry mixture to your wet ingredients, mixing gently just until everything comes together in a soft dough.
Step 5: Bake the Cookies
Use a tablespoon to scoop the dough onto your prepared baking sheet, spacing each mound about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, watching for slightly golden edges—that’s your cue that they’re perfectly baked. Let the cookies cool completely before moving on to frosting.
Step 6: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting and Frost
In a medium bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until creamy, then gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract until the frosting is smooth and fluffy. Spread a generous layer on each cooled cookie for that luscious finishing touch. For an extra festive flair, sprinkle with pumpkin-colored sprinkles or pipe decorative designs on top.
How to Serve Pumpkin Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Garnishes
To make these cookies even more inviting, consider adding a sprinkle of cinnamon, a few toasted pecans, or a dash of orange zest on top of the frosting. These simple garnishes will complement the flavors and give your cookies a personal, homemade touch.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair delightfully well with a warm cup of chai tea, rich hot chocolate, or even a spiced latte. Serving them alongside a bowl of fresh fruit or a scoop of vanilla ice cream can turn these treats into a festive fall dessert spread.
Creative Ways to Present
For a party, arrange your Pumpkin Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe on a rustic wooden board decorated with mini pumpkins and autumn leaves. Consider layering some cookies in a decorative tin as a gift or stacking them with parchment paper between layers for an eye-catching display that invites guests to indulge.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once frosted, store your cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator to keep the cream cheese frosting fresh. They will usually stay delicious for up to 4 days, making them perfect for prepping ahead of time.
Freezing
You can freeze the cookie dough before baking by rolling into balls and freezing on a sheet, then transferring to a freezer bag. For baked cookies, freeze them unfrosted in a single layer on a baking sheet, then stack with parchment paper and store in an airtight container. Thaw and frost when ready to serve.
Reheating
If you want a warm cookie experience, briefly microwave unfrosted cookies for about 10-15 seconds. Avoid heating the frosted ones as the cream cheese frosting may soften too much. Instead, enjoy them chilled or at room temperature.
FAQs
Can I use canned pumpkin for this recipe?
Absolutely, canned pumpkin purée works perfectly and is often the most convenient option. Just ensure it’s pure pumpkin and not pumpkin pie filling, which contains additional sugars and spices.
Is pumpkin pie spice necessary?
While not mandatory, pumpkin pie spice adds that quintessential fall warmth with cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. You can substitute with a mix of these spices individually if you don’t have a premade blend.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes, substituting the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend designed for baking can work well. Make sure the blend contains xanthan gum for the best texture.
How long will these cookies last after frosting?
Due to the cream cheese frosting, it’s best to consume the cookies within 4 days if stored in the refrigerator to keep them fresh and safe.
Can I prepare the frosting ahead of time?
Yes, the cream cheese frosting can be made a day ahead and stored covered in the refrigerator. Bring it to room temperature and give it a quick whip before spreading on the cookies.
Final Thoughts
This Pumpkin Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe is one of those sweet treats that just feels like a warm hug from the inside out. It’s easy to make, irresistibly delicious, and captures the essence of fall in every bite. I can’t recommend it enough for your next baking adventure—grab your ingredients and start baking these today. You’re going to love sharing them with family and friends!
Print
Pumpkin Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight in these soft and flavorful Pumpkin Sugar Cookies topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting. Perfectly spiced with pumpkin pie spice and packed with pumpkin purée for moistness, these cookies offer a festive treat ideal for autumn celebrations or any time you crave a sweet, seasonal snack.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- 1 cup pumpkin purée
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is crucial for a tender texture.
- Add Pumpkin and Egg: Mix in the pumpkin purée, the large egg, and vanilla extract into the creamed butter and sugar until fully combined, creating a smooth batter.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and pumpkin pie spice to evenly distribute the leavening agents and spices.
- Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet pumpkin mixture. Stir until just combined to avoid overmixing, which can toughen the cookies.
- Shape and Bake Cookies: Using a tablespoon, scoop the cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing each scoop about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the cookie edges turn a slight golden color.
- Cool the Cookies: Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to cool completely on a wire rack before frosting to prevent melting the frosting.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Frosting: In a medium bowl, beat together softened cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until the frosting is smooth and creamy.
- Frost the Cookies: Once the cookies are fully cooled, generously frost each cookie with the cream cheese frosting. Optionally, decorate with pumpkin-colored sprinkles or piped designs for a festive presentation.
- Serve and Enjoy: Arrange the decorated cookies on a serving platter and enjoy your delicious pumpkin sugar cookies with cream cheese frosting.
Notes
- Make sure the butter and cream cheese are softened to room temperature for smooth mixing.
- Do not overmix the dough once flour is added to keep cookies tender.
- Allow cookies to cool completely before frosting to prevent frosting from melting.
- Store cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- For a dairy-free option, substitute cream cheese and butter with plant-based versions.
