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
Scale
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.
