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Pumpkin Cookies
These easy, homemade pumpkin cookies are the perfect fall treat. Packed with pumpkin puree, cinnamon, and nutmeg, they deliver a delicious pumpkin spice flavor that pairs beautifully with a hot cup of coffee or a cold glass of milk. Because they are soft and fluffy, they feel just like little cakes. Baking them has been a cherished family tradition ever since I was a kid, and the process is incredibly simple.
While the original recipe card simply says to mix everything together and bake on a greased sheet, I have made a few upgrades over the years. Swapping out shortening for butter adds a richer flavor. Creaming the butter and sugar together first also creates a much better texture before adding the rest of the ingredients.
One of the things I like about this recipe is that you can easily change it up depending on what you have on hand. Chocolate chips, raisins, and walnuts are all optional, so you can add your favorites or leave them out completely. They’re simple to make and a great way to use up leftover pumpkin puree during pumpkin season.
When I was young, my mom would make these cookies with squash instead of pumpkin and add chocolate chips, raisins, and sometimes nuts. I always make them with chocolate chips. If you decide to make them without any of the mix-ins, topping them with a cream cheese frosting would be a wonderful addition.
If you enjoy baking homemade cookies in the fall, this is an easy recipe to add to your collection.
Ingredients for Pumpkin Cookies
- ½ cup butter, room temperature (Original recipe calls for shortening)
- 1½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 cup chocolate chips (optional)
- 1 cup raisins (optional)
- ½ cup walnuts (optional)
The chocolate chips, raisins, and walnuts are all optional, so you can add your favorites or leave them out. You can also combine them to make pumpkin cookies with a little extra sweetness and crunch.
How to Make Pumpkin Cookies
Step 1: Prepare the oven.
Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease a cookie sheet or line it with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
Step 2: Mix the wet ingredients.
Cream together the butter and sugar in a mixing bowl. Add the egg, pumpkin puree, and vanilla, stirring until everything is combined.
Step 3: Add the dry ingredients.
Fold in the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Mix just until the ingredients are combined. If you’re adding chocolate chips, raisins, or walnuts, stir them into the dough at this point.
Step 4: Drop the cookie dough onto the baking sheet.
Drop the dough by heaping teaspoonfuls onto the prepared cookie sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie.
Step 5: Bake the cookies.
Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the tops are set and the bottoms are golden.
Step 6: Cool and serve.
Transfer the cookies to wire racks to cool. Once they’ve cooled, they’re ready to enjoy!
Tips for Making Pumpkin Cookies
- Use plain pumpkin puree. Pumpkin pie filling contains added sugar and spices that can change the flavor of the cookies.
- Measure the pumpkin carefully. Too much moisture can affect the texture of the dough.
- Don’t overmix. Fold in the dry ingredients just until combined to help keep the cookies tender.
- Customize the cookies. Chocolate chips, raisins, and walnuts are optional, so use whichever additions your family enjoys.
- Watch the baking time. Start checking the cookies at 10 minutes. The tops should be set, and the bottoms should be golden.
How to Store Pumpkin Cookies
Allow the cookies to cool completely before placing them in an airtight container. For the best quality, avoid leaving them uncovered, as they can dry out.
You can also freeze the cooled cookies in a freezer-safe container or bag. Separate the layers with parchment paper to help keep them from sticking together. Thaw at room temperature when you’re ready to serve them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use homemade pumpkin puree?
Yes! Homemade pumpkin puree works well in this recipe. If your puree is watery, drain off the excess moisture before measuring to help keep the cookie dough from becoming too wet.
Can I leave out the chocolate chips, raisins, and walnuts?
Yes. All three are optional, so you can leave them out or use whichever ones you prefer. The cookies will still have plenty of pumpkin spice flavor.
Why are my pumpkin cookies soft?
Pumpkin puree adds moisture to the dough, which helps give these cookies their soft texture. Be sure to measure the pumpkin carefully and bake the cookies until the tops are set and the bottoms are golden.
Can I freeze pumpkin cookies?
Yes. Once the cookies have cooled completely, store them in a freezer-safe container or bag. Separate the layers with parchment paper and thaw at room temperature before serving.
More Pumpkin Recipes
If you enjoy baking with pumpkin, try making your own Homemade Pumpkin Puree to use in cookies, muffins, breads, and other fall recipes.
These Pumpkin Cookies are an easy way to enjoy the flavors of fall without spending a lot of time in the kitchen. Whether you add chocolate chips, raisins, walnuts, or keep them plain, they’re a simple homemade treat to enjoy throughout the season.
Pumpkin Cookies
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter, room temperature
- 1½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp nutmeg
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 cup chocolate chips (Optional)
- 1 cup raisins (Optional)
- ½ cup walnuts (Optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°. Grease a cookie sheet or line with a Silpat mat or parchment paper.
- Cream together the butter and sugar. Add the egg, pumpkin, and vanilla, and stir to combine.
- Fold in the dry ingredients just until combined. Add any of the optional items that you wish.
- Drop dough by heaping teaspoons 2 inches apart on prepared cookie sheets. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until the tops are set and the bottoms are golden. Transfer to wire racks to cool.
Notes
Nutrition
- Silpat Perfect Pastry is a non-stick counter-top ideal for working with messy creations
- Silicone coated roll-up mat will ensure you get dough to just the right size of your recipe
- Dimensions and rulers as guides for assistance when preparing dough
- Non-stick surface allows for excellent food release, making clean up easy
- Durable and reusable for thousand times
- Best German Silicone: We attach great importance to the health of our customers. Therefore, we use the best German WACKER silicone as the raw material in the industry. Food Grade, BPA Free, PFOA Free, Non-toxic. NOT made in Germany.
- Non-Stick Mat: Our baking mats feature a nonstick surface that allows for effortless food removal. No need for oil, cooking sprays, or parchment paper. The thickness of the mat is 0.75MM, which is much thicker than most other mats.
- Easy To Clean: It is super easy to clean even if grease or dough sticks to the surface, just with a cloth or place in the dishwasher.
- Heat resistant up to 500°F degrees (260℃). Safe in the oven or freezer. Size: 11.6x16.5 inches (LxW), 11-5/8" x 16-1/2", fits half-sheet size pans.
- Versatile: Perfect for baking, making pizza/macaron/pies/candy/pastry/cookie/bread/turkey. This high-quality baking mat is also perfect for various holiday gifts.
- SET OF 3 BAKING SHEETS: GoodCook’s Nonstick Cookie Sheet Set comes with a small 13” x 9”, medium 15” x 10” and large 17” x 11” baking sheet to provide the perfect options for any of your baking needs.
- EVEN BAKE, EVERY TIME: The heavy-duty gauge baking pans in this bakeware set ensure long-lasting durability and even heat distribution, providing thorough baking for delicious results.
- MADE WITH DURABLE CARBON STEEL: Constructed from carbon steel material, these kitchen pans resist warping and scratching to provide long-lasting durability and maintain daily use in your home kitchen.
- SCRATCH-RESISTANT NONSTICK COATING: This baking set features a scratch-resistant nonstick coating for a mess-free release to serve your baked goods from the pan. It is a GoodCook exclusive formula that performs better than other single-coat systems.
- DISHWASHER SAFE: This nonstick bakeware set is dishwasher safe for easy cleanup after use, however, hand washing is recommended for longer-lasting use.
- SET OF 3 BAKING SHEETS: GoodCook’s Nonstick Cookie Sheet Set comes with three 13 x 9-inch baking sheets to bake your favorite recipes from cookies, desserts, and tasty sheet pan dinners
- EVEN BAKE, EVERY TIME: The heavy-duty gauge baking pans in this bakeware set ensure long-lasting durability and even heat distribution, providing thorough baking for delicious results
- MADE WITH DURABLE CARBON STEEL: Constructed from carbon steel material, these kitchen pans resist warping and scratching to provide long-lasting durability and maintain daily use in your home kitchen
- SCRATCH-RESISTANT NONSTICK COATING: This baking set features a scratch-resistant nonstick coating for a mess-free release to serve your baked goods from the pan. It is a GoodCook exclusive formula that performs better than other single-coat systems
- DISHWASHER SAFE: This nonstick bakeware set is dishwasher safe for easy cleanup after use, however, hand washing is recommended for longer-lasting use
