Frosted Soft Pumpkin Sugar Cookies
Frosted Soft Pumpkin Sugar Cookies are a delightful fall treat featuring a tender, moist cookie base enriched with pumpkin puree and warm spices, topped with a creamy, lightly sweetened frosting. Perfectly soft with cozy flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, these cookies are easy to customize and ideal for seasonal gatherings or gifting.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free (if using gluten-free flour blend)
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ cup (1 stick) softened butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup pumpkin puree
Frosting
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened (or softened butter)
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1–2 tablespoons milk or heavy cream
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, combine softened butter and sugar, beating until creamy and fluffy. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and pumpkin puree, mixing thoroughly to create a smooth batter.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and ground cloves. Gradually add this dry mix to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
- Chill the Dough: Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm it up, making it easier to handle and helping the cookies maintain their shape during baking.
- Bake the Cookies: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Scoop the dough onto parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing the cookies about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are set but the centers remain soft.
- Make the Frosting: While the cookies cool, prepare the frosting by whisking together softened cream cheese (or butter), powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a splash of milk or cream until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Frost and Serve: Once the cookies have cooled completely, generously spread or pipe the frosting on top. Optionally, sprinkle a pinch of cinnamon or crushed nuts before serving for an extra touch.
Notes
- Ensure butter, eggs, and pumpkin puree are at room temperature for smooth mixing.
- Do not overmix the dough to keep the cookies tender.
- Chilling the dough prevents spreading and keeps cookies thick and soft.
- Use fresh ground spices for the best flavor.
- Cool cookies completely before frosting to prevent frosting from melting.
- Use an oven thermometer to ensure accurate baking temperature.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: pumpkin sugar cookies, fall cookies, frosted cookies, soft pumpkin cookies, autumn dessert
Find it online: https://tastebudtrek.com/frosted-soft-pumpkin-sugar-cookies/