Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cinnamon Frosting: The Ultimate Fall Treat
Indulge in the perfect taste of autumn with these Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cinnamon Frosting—moist, spiced, and topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting. Easy to make and impossible to resist, they’re the ultimate fall dessert for gatherings, cozy nights, or holiday gifting!
Why You’ll Love These Pumpkin Cookies
🍂 Pillowy-soft texture – Pumpkin keeps them irresistibly tender.
🍁 Warm fall spices – Cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves create a cozy flavor.
🧁 Creamy cinnamon frosting – The perfect sweet-spiced finish.
⏳ Quick & easy – Simple steps with pantry-friendly ingredients.
🎃 Perfect for any occasion – Great for parties, snacks, or edible gifts!
Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cinnamon Frosting
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream together softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the egg, vanilla extract, and pumpkin puree. Mix until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix until combined.
- Drop dough by tablespoonfuls onto prepared baking sheets, spacing cookies about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Allow to cool completely on wire racks.
- For the frosting: In a bowl, beat softened butter, powdered sugar, cinnamon, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. Spread over cooled cookies.
- Serve immediately or store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Notes
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
- 1 cup canned pumpkin puree (not pie filling)
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp ground cloves (optional)
For the Cinnamon Frosting:
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prep & Mix Wet Ingredients
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until fluffy.
- Mix in pumpkin puree, eggs, and vanilla until smooth.
2. Combine Dry Ingredients
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
3. Form & Bake Cookies
- Gradually fold dry ingredients into wet mixture until just combined (don’t overmix).
- Scoop dough onto baking sheets (about 2 inches apart).
- Bake for 12–15 minutes until edges are lightly golden. Cool completely.
4. Make the Frosting
- Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth.
- Add powdered sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla, mixing until creamy.
5. Frost & Enjoy!
- Spread or pipe frosting onto cooled cookies. Serve & savor!
Expert Tips for the Best Cookies
✔ Use pure pumpkin puree – Avoid pumpkin pie filling (it’s too sweet).
✔ Don’t overbake – Cookies should be soft with lightly golden edges.
✔ Cool completely before frosting – Prevents melting.
✔ Adjust spices – Add more cinnamon or cloves for extra warmth.
✔ Storage – Keep in an airtight container for up to 5 days (or freeze unfrosted cookies for 3 months).
Serving Suggestions
☕ Pair with coffee or cider – The ultimate fall combo!
🍦 Serve with vanilla ice cream – For an indulgent dessert.
🎁 Gift in a pretty box – Perfect for neighbors, teachers, or friends.
Why These Cookies Are a Must-Make
These soft pumpkin cookies are a fall favorite because they’re:
- Moist & fluffy (thanks to pumpkin!)
- Perfectly spiced (warm cinnamon & nutmeg)
- Crowd-pleasing (great for parties & potlucks)
- Easy to customize (add nuts, chocolate chips, or maple glaze!)
Whether you’re baking for a Thanksgiving spread, Halloween party, or just a cozy night in, these cookies bring autumn warmth in every bite!
