Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting

Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting are DELICIOUS and so soft, pillowy, light and fluffy. Perfect easy dessert to bring to any fall gathering!

Original post: September 2017 | Updated: October 2020

I’m delivering the most delicious pumpkin cookies with cream cheese frosting you’ll ever eat on this lovely, crisp fall day. Every time I sink my teeth into these beauties, they taste a million times better than I remembered.

These cookies have the perfect amount of pumpkin flavor (I personally don’t love super pumpkiny things), they are super soft, pillowy and fluffy and the cream cheese frosting will make you weak in the knees.

If you have a fall party approaching or if you just want to provide your loved ones with a festive treat, MAKE THESE COOKIES. I promise you will not be disappointed.

HOW TO MAKE PUMPKIN COOKIES WITH CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

MAKE THE COOKIES

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line 3 baking sheets with parchment paper. Pull out your butter so it comes to room temperature.

Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or a large mixing bowl with a hand mixer), combine 1/2 cup butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar, egg and vanilla and beat on medium speed until creamy and free of lumps. Mix in the pumpkin puree.

In a separate bowl, combine the dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice and salt. Mix well. Gradually add to the butter mixture and beat on medium speed until just combined.

Using a medium cookie scoop, drop the dough by 1 1/2 tablespoons 2 inches apart onto the prepared baking sheets. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the bottom edges are golden brown.

Remove from the oven, transfer the cookies to a wire rack and let cool.

MAKE THE CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

Using a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment (or a large mixing bowl with a hand mixer), combine the powdered sugar, cream cheese, butter and vanilla. Beat on medium speed for 3 minutes.

ASSEMBLE THE PUMPKIN COOKIES

Spread the frosting on the cookies. Sprinkle with pumpkin pie spice.

WHAT IS PUMPKIN PIE SPICE

Pumpkin pie spice is a combination of spices that creates a delicious pumpkin flavor in baked goods. If you cannot find pumpkin pie spice, replace 2 1/2 teaspoons of it with:

• 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp ground ginger
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves

SUBSTITUTE FOR PUMPKIN PUREE

Equal parts of cooked, mashed sweet potatoes or butternut squash is a great substitution and you might not even be able to tell the difference!

IS CANNED PUMPKIN AND PUMPKIN PUREE THE SAME THING?

Canned pumpkin is straight-up pumpkin that has been put into a can. Some pumpkin puree contains other ingredients that flavors it, making it pumpkin-pie ready. Read your labels to see what you’re getting in your next can of pumpkin!

MAKE YOUR OWN PUMPKIN PUREE

Consider making your own batch of pumpkin puree for an even fresher taste! Grab your Instant Pot and get started!

PERFECT FALL TREATS

These Best Pumpkin Bars make the perfect fall dessert. They are moist, irresistible and full of yummy pumpkin flavor. Dab some whipped cream on top! Great for your next fall gathering.

This sweet and salty Halloween Snack Mix is a great Fall snack to have on hand. It is perfect for a handful on the run or a great snack for kiddos after school! It’s also great for Fall- or Halloween-themed parties!

Salted Caramel Apple Cheesecake is a great way to use up any type of apples. This is the perfect fall treat.

This delicious Best Apple Crisp recipe is the best. It is tried, tested and NEVER fails and it’s is the perfect way to use up apples in the fall. Also, it tastes great with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!

HOW TO CLEAN COOKIE SHEETS

If you have extra grimy cookie sheets, sprinkle a thin layer of baking soda over the surface and cover with hydrogen peroxide. Let it sit for 1 hour and scrub the surface using a dish scrubber. Wash with dish soap!

WHY ARE MY PUMPKIN COOKIES WITH CREAM CHEESE FROSTING FLAT

If your cookies are coming out of the oven looking flat, you either haven’t used the appropriate leavening agents (baking powder or baking soda) or you have used too little flour.

If the cookies are flat and greasy, you may have used too much butter. Follow baking recipes very closely to avoid making flat cookies!

HOW TO KEEP PUMPKIN COOKIES WITH CREAM CHEESE FROSTING SOFT

For optimal cookie softness, allow them to cool completely after coming out of the oven and store as stated in the directions. Some cookies store best in the fridge while others store well while covered at room temperature.

CAN YOU FREEZE COOKIE DOUGH

Cookie dough is PERFECT for freezing! It’s one of the things I love most about it. Place prepared cookie dough into a resealable freezer bag and press as much air out as possible. Freeze for up to six months.

When you are ready to make the cookies, allow the dough to thaw completely in the fridge overnight. Bake as directed.