Description
These Pumpkin Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting are soft, moist, and bursting with warm pumpkin spice flavors. Perfectly spiced with pumpkin pie spice and topped with a rich, creamy vanilla cream cheese frosting, these cookies bring a festive touch to any fall gathering or holiday celebration. Easy to make and irresistibly delicious, they’re sure to become a seasonal favorite.
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: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prepare for baking the cookies.
- Prepare Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add the pumpkin purée, egg, and vanilla extract and mix until fully combined.
- 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 spices and leavening agents.
- Mix Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined to avoid overmixing, which can toughen the cookies.
- Shape and Bake: Using a tablespoon, scoop the dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing cookies about 2 inches apart. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges become slightly golden.
- Cool Cookies: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool completely on the baking sheet or a wire rack to ensure the frosting does not melt when applied.
- Make Frosting: In a medium bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Frost Cookies: Once the cookies have completely cooled, generously spread or pipe the cream cheese frosting over the top of each cookie. Optionally, decorate with pumpkin-colored sprinkles or piping for a festive presentation.
- Serve: Enjoy your pumpkin sugar cookies fresh, or store them in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
Notes
- Ensure the cream cheese and butter are at room temperature before making the frosting for a smooth texture.
- Do not overbake the cookies to keep them soft and moist inside.
- Cookies can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days; bring to room temperature before serving for best flavor.
- Use fresh pumpkin purée for the best taste; canned pure pumpkin is also acceptable but avoid pumpkin pie filling as it contains added sugars and spices.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend.
