Irresistible Soft Pumpkin Cookies & Cream Cheese Frosting

Soft Pumpkin Cookies The Best Recipe With Cream Cheese Frosting – just reading those words instantly conjures images of crisp autumn days and the comforting warmth of a home filled with irresistible aromas, doesn’t it? For me, there’s an undeniable magic that happens in the kitchen when the seasons shift, and nothing quite captures the essence of fall’s embrace like a batch of these incredibly tender cookies. These aren’t merely a dessert; they are a delightful tradition, deeply rooted in the harvest celebrations that have graced tables for generations, particularly in North American culture where pumpkin takes center stage during holidays like Thanksgiving.

What makes these pumpkin cookies so utterly adored? It’s the harmonious symphony of soft, pillowy texture combined with the rich, earthy sweetness of pumpkin and a medley of classic warm spices – cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. Each bite offers a melt-in-your-mouth experience that is both incredibly moist and wonderfully cake-like. However, the true crowning glory, elevating this autumnal treat to an extraordinary level, is the generous swirl of tangy, velvety cream cheese frosting. It’s this perfect balance of spiced sweetness and creamy zest that truly makes our Soft Pumpkin Cookies The Best Recipe With Cream Cheese Frosting an unforgettable sensation, destined to become your go-to recipe every fall.

this Recipe

Ingredients:

For the Soft Pumpkin Cookies:

• 2 ½ cups (300g) all-purpose flour: I always recommend using unbleached all-purpose flour for the best possible texture in my cookies. It provides the perfect structural foundation for these wonderfully soft treats.
• 1 teaspoon baking soda: This is a key leavening agent, crucial for giving our cookies that incredible rise and ensuring they develop a perfectly tender and soft crumb.
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon: A generous amount of warm, inviting cinnamon is essential for that quintessential autumnal spice flavor.
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger: This adds a lovely, subtle warmth and a touch of zesty depth that beautifully complements the pumpkin.
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg: Absolutely essential for a classic pumpkin pie spice profile, contributing a sweet and slightly pungent aroma.
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves: Just a small pinch of ground cloves rounds out the spice blend, adding a deep, aromatic warmth without overpowering the other flavors.
• ½ teaspoon salt: This small but mighty ingredient balances the sweetness, enhances all the other flavors, and helps to bring out the best in our spices.
• 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened: Make sure your butter is truly softened to room temperature – not melted, but pliable – for proper creaming with the sugar. This step is vital for a light and airy cookie texture.
• 1 ½ cups (300g) granulated sugar: Provides the perfect level of sweetness and contributes significantly to the tender, moist crumb of the cookies.
• 1 large egg: Ideally at room temperature, as it emulsifies better with the other ingredients, leading to a smoother, more uniform batter.
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract: Don’t skimp on the good quality stuff here! Pure vanilla extract makes a noticeable difference, adding a rich, aromatic depth to the cookies.
• 1 cup (227g) pumpkin puree: It’s incredibly important to use 100% pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling, which contains added spices and sugar. Canned puree works wonderfully, but homemade is great too. This is the star ingredient for flavor and moisture!

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 8 ounces (226g) full-fat cream cheese, softened: This absolutely, positively needs to be softened to room temperature. This is the secret to a smooth, creamy, and completely lump-free frosting. Trust me on this one!
• ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened: Just like the cream cheese, room temperature butter is key for achieving the perfect frosting consistency and texture.
• 4 cups (480g) powdered sugar (confectioners’ sugar), sifted: Sifting the powdered sugar is a step I never skip! It prevents any lumps from forming and ensures your frosting is wonderfully silky-smooth and easy to spread.
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract: This enhances the rich, tangy flavor of the cream cheese and butter, bringing a lovely aromatic finish to the frosting.
• 1-2 tablespoons milk or heavy cream (optional): I sometimes use this if I need to slightly adjust the consistency of the frosting, making it a bit thinner and more spreadable, depending on how warm my kitchen is or how soft my butter was.

Instructions for Soft Pumpkin Cookies The Best Recipe With Cream Cheese Frosting

Before You Begin: Preparation is Key!

1. Preheat your oven and prepare your baking sheets: I always begin by preheating my oven to 350°F (175°C). Having your oven at the correct temperature from the very start is crucial for even baking and prevents the cookies from spreading too much or baking unevenly. Next, I meticulously line several large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. This crucial step not only prevents the cookies from sticking but also makes cleanup an absolute breeze. Plus, it helps the bottoms of your cookies bake beautifully without becoming overly browned. A little bit of prep work now truly saves a lot of hassle and ensures a better final product later!
2. Measure and gather all your ingredients: Before I even think about bringing my mixer out, I make sure to get all my ingredients out of the pantry and fridge, measure them precisely, and have them ready to go. This “mise en place” approach makes the entire baking process so much smoother and far less stressful. It’s particularly important to ensure your butter, cream cheese, and egg are all at true room temperature. This isn’t just a suggestion; it’s really important for achieving the right consistency in both the cookie dough and the frosting, allowing all the ingredients to emulsify properly and create a perfectly uniform batter and a lusciously smooth frosting.

Preparing the Soft Pumpkin Cookie Dough

3. Whisk together the dry ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, I combine the all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, ground nutmeg, ground cloves, and salt. I use a whisk to thoroughly combine these ingredients, ensuring that the leavening agents and all those wonderful spices are perfectly and evenly distributed throughout the flour mixture. This guarantees a consistent flavor and texture in every single cookie you bake. Once mixed, I set this bowl aside for a moment while I work on the wet ingredients.
4. Cream the butter and sugar: In a large bowl, using an electric mixer (my stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment is my go-to, but a handheld mixer works beautifully too), I beat the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together on medium speed. This step usually takes about 2-3 minutes, or until the mixture becomes wonderfully light, fluffy, and noticeably pale in color. This process, known as “creaming,” is fundamental because it incorporates tiny air pockets into the butter and sugar, which are absolutely essential for creating those wonderfully soft and tender cookies we’re striving for. It’s one of the key secrets to achieving Soft Pumpkin Cookies The Best Recipe With Cream Cheese Frosting. Remember to scrape down the sides of the bowl periodically to ensure every bit is well combined and aerated.
5. Add the egg and vanilla: Once your butter and sugar mixture is light and fluffy, I crack in the large, room-temperature egg. I beat it for another minute or so until it’s fully incorporated and the mixture looks cohesive. Then, I stir in the pure vanilla extract. I continue to beat until the mixture is completely smooth and homogeneous. The egg acts as a crucial binder, adding structure and richness, while the vanilla extract truly enhances and rounds out the overall flavor profile of the cookie.
6. Incorporate the pumpkin puree: Now, I add the pumpkin puree to the wet ingredients. I mix it on low speed just until it’s combined and there are no streaks of pumpkin visible. It’s important to be careful not to overmix at this stage; we simply want it evenly distributed. The mixture might look a little bit curdled or separated at first, but don’t worry, it will come together beautifully as you continue to mix. The pumpkin not only provides that gorgeous fall flavor but also contributes significantly to the incredible moistness and the signature soft texture of these cookies. It’s truly what makes them so special and irresistible.
7. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients: With my mixer set to low speed, I slowly add the whisked dry ingredient mixture to the wet pumpkin mixture, usually in about three additions. I mix only until just combined after each addition. The absolute key here is to avoid overmixing the dough. Overmixing can over-develop the gluten in the flour, which will inevitably result in tough, dry cookies – the exact opposite of what we want for these soft treats. As soon as you see no more visible streaks of dry flour, stop mixing. A few tiny, barely visible flour streaks are perfectly fine; they’ll disappear as you gently fold or scoop. The finished dough will be quite soft and sticky, which is exactly the perfect consistency we’re looking for to achieve wonderfully soft pumpkin cookies.

Baking the Soft Pumpkin Cookies

8. Scoop the cookie dough: Using a medium cookie scoop (one that holds about 1.5 to 2 tablespoons of dough) is my preferred method, as it ensures uniform cookie size, which leads to even baking. If you don’t have a scoop, two spoons will work perfectly fine. I drop rounded spoonfuls of dough onto my prepared baking sheets, making sure to leave about 2 inches of space between each cookie. These cookies will spread a bit during baking, so giving them ample room ensures they bake individually without merging into one giant pumpkin cookie slab.
9. Bake the cookies: I place the baking sheets into my preheated oven and bake them for 10-14 minutes. The precise baking time can vary slightly depending on your oven’s calibration and the exact size of your scooped cookies, so it’s important to keep a close eye on them. The cookies are ready when the edges appear set and are lightly golden, but the centers still look very soft and are slightly puffed. If you gently touch the center of a cookie, it should spring back slightly. Do not overbake them! Overbaking is the biggest enemy of soft cookies. These cookies are meant to be incredibly moist and tender, and pulling them out of the oven at precisely the right moment is absolutely critical to achieving that perfect texture.
10. Cool the cookies: Once baked, I carefully remove the baking sheets from the oven and let the cookies cool directly on the sheets for about 5 minutes. They will be quite delicate when hot, so this brief cooling period on the sheet helps them to set up and firm up just enough to be handled. After 5 minutes, I gently transfer the cookies to a wire rack using a thin spatula to cool completely. It is absolutely, undeniably essential that the cookies are completely cool before you even think about applying the frosting. Attempting to frost warm cookies will result in a melty, messy disaster, as the cream cheese frosting will simply slide right off. Patience truly is a virtue when it comes to the final, delicious outcome of these Soft Pumpkin Cookies The Best Recipe With Cream Cheese Frosting.

Whipping Up the Cream Cheese Frosting

11. Beat the cream cheese and butter: In a large bowl, I use my electric mixer once again to combine the softened full-fat cream cheese and the softened unsalted butter. I beat them together on medium speed for about 2-3 minutes until the mixture is wonderfully smooth, incredibly creamy, and completely lump-free. This is where having truly softened ingredients really pays off! You want this base to be light and airy, as it sets the perfect stage for an exceptionally smooth frosting consistency. I make sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure everything gets perfectly incorporated.
12. Gradually add the powdered sugar: With the mixer set to low speed, I slowly add the sifted powdered sugar, about one cup at a time. I beat until each addition is fully incorporated into the cream cheese and butter mixture before adding the next cup. As you incorporate the sugar, the mixture will gradually start to thicken and transform into a luscious, frosting-like consistency. Once all the powdered sugar has been added, I increase the mixer speed to medium-high and beat for another 1-2 minutes until the frosting is delightfully light and fluffy. Sifting the sugar beforehand truly makes a huge difference in achieving that silky-smooth texture, preventing any undesirable gritty bits in your delicious cream cheese frosting.
13. Stir in the vanilla and adjust consistency: Finally, I add the pure vanilla extract to the frosting and beat for another 30 seconds or so to incorporate it fully. At this point, I assess the consistency of my frosting. If it seems a bit too thick to spread easily, I might add a tablespoon or two of milk or heavy cream, one tablespoon at a time, beating after each addition, until I reach my desired spreadable consistency. I usually find that 1-2 tablespoons is plenty, but it really depends on factors like the humidity in your kitchen and how soft your initial ingredients were. You want it thick enough to hold its beautiful shape on the cookie, but soft enough to glide smoothly and effortlessly over the surface. This glorious cream cheese frosting is undoubtedly what truly completes these Soft Pumpkin Cookies The Best Recipe With Cream Cheese Frosting!

Assembling and Finishing Your Masterpiece

14. Frost the cooled cookies: Once your soft pumpkin cookies are completely cool (and I mean completely cool, I truly can’t stress this enough!), it’s finally time for the most enjoyable part: frosting them! You can use an offset spatula, a simple butter knife, or even a piping bag fitted with a round tip if you prefer a more decorative or polished look. I like to dollop a generous amount of that luxurious cream cheese frosting onto the top of each cookie and then spread it evenly all the way to the edges. Don’t be shy with the frosting; it provides the perfect tangy, creamy counterpoint to the warmly spiced pumpkin cookie. Each bite should have a harmonious balance of both the tender cookie and the luscious frosting.
15. Optional garnishes and serving: For an extra touch of elegance, a bit more visual appeal, or even a slight textural contrast, you can sprinkle a tiny pinch of ground cinnamon or nutmeg over the top of the frosted cookies. Sometimes, for a delightful crunch, I like to finely chop some pecans or walnuts and sprinkle them on. These cookies are absolutely divine when served at room temperature, allowing the flavors to truly shine and the textures to be at their best.
16. Storage instructions: Because of the delectable cream cheese frosting, these truly incredible Soft Pumpkin Cookies The Best Recipe With Cream Cheese Frosting must be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will maintain their wonderful freshness and flavor for up to 3-4 days. For the absolute best flavor and texture experience, I highly recommend letting them sit out at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before serving. This allows the cookies to soften ever so slightly and the frosting to return to its perfectly creamy, spreadable consistency. You can also freeze unfrosted cookies for up to 3 months, or even frosted cookies in an airtight container for about 1 month, just be sure to layer them with parchment paper if you’re stacking them. When you’re ready to enjoy them, simply thaw them in the refrigerator overnight.

There you have it! This is my ultimate recipe for creating the most delightful and incredibly Soft Pumpkin Cookies The Best Recipe With Cream Cheese Frosting. Each bite is a little piece of autumnal heaven, perfectly spiced and wonderfully moist, all tied together with that luscious, tangy cream cheese frosting. I truly hope you enjoy baking and sharing these as much as I do!

Conclusion:

And there you have it, my friends! We’ve reached the culmination of our journey into creating what I genuinely believe are some of the most delightful autumn treats you’ll ever bake. These truly are Soft Pumpkin Cookies The Best Recipe With Cream Cheese Frosting, and I promise you, once you try them, you’ll understand exactly what I mean. This recipe isn’t just about mixing ingredients; it’s about crafting a moment of pure comfort and joy, a little piece of edible sunshine that perfectly encapsulates the cozy spirit of the season. From the very first batch I made, I knew I had stumbled upon something special – a cookie that manages to be wonderfully moist, perfectly spiced, and utterly irresistible, especially when crowned with that signature tangy-sweet cream cheese frosting.

Why These Cookies Are a Must-Try

What makes this particular recipe stand out from the crowd? It’s the meticulous balance. We’ve worked to ensure the pumpkin flavor shines through without being overwhelming, beautifully complemented by a warm blend of spices that sings of autumn. The texture is a dream – incredibly soft, almost cake-like, yet still retaining that satisfying chewiness you want in a cookie. There’s no dry crumb here, only moist, tender goodness in every bite. And then, of course, there’s the frosting. That creamy, luscious, slightly tangy cream cheese frosting is not just an accent; it’s an integral part of the experience, elevating these cookies from simply good to absolutely unforgettable. It cuts through the sweetness of the cookie just enough, creating a harmonious symphony of flavors that will leave you reaching for another, and another. They’re simply perfect for holiday gatherings, a cozy afternoon treat with a hot beverage, or even a thoughtful homemade gift.

Elevate Your Cookie Experience: Serving Suggestions & Variations

While these cookies are utterly perfect straight off the cooling rack, there are so many delightful ways to enjoy and even gently adapt them to suit your preferences or occasion. Think of these as delicious starting points for your own culinary creativity!

• Pair with a Beverage: Imagine sinking your teeth into one of these tender cookies with a steaming mug of freshly brewed coffee, a warm cup of spiced chai, or even a tall glass of cold milk. The combination is simply divine, especially on a crisp autumn afternoon. They also make a fantastic addition to any brunch spread, adding a touch of rustic elegance, or a delightful centerpiece for an afternoon tea party where their vibrant color and comforting aroma are sure to impress.

• Dessert Course: Don’t relegate these beauties just to snack time! Serve them as a light, yet satisfying, dessert after a hearty meal. They provide a comforting sweetness without being overly heavy, leaving everyone perfectly content and with a lovely, warm feeling. For a truly decadent finish, you could even warm them ever so slightly and serve them alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.

• Gifting & Sharing: These cookies are fantastic for sharing! Box them up beautifully with a ribbon, and they make incredible homemade gifts for friends, family, neighbors, teachers, or even colleagues. Their beautiful appearance and irresistible flavor ensure they’ll be a cherished present. They also travel remarkably well, making them perfect for potlucks, bake sales, or bringing to any holiday gathering where homemade treats are always appreciated.

Creative Variations:

• Flavorful Add-ins: For a delightful textural contrast and an extra layer of flavor, consider folding in a handful of chopped pecans or walnuts into the cookie dough during the last stage of mixing. White chocolate chips or even a mix of dried cranberries could also add an interesting burst of sweetness and chewiness. Just be careful not to overload the dough, as we want to maintain that signature soft, pillowy texture that makes these cookies so special.

• Spice Adjustments: If you’re a fan of a little extra kick in your autumnal bakes, a pinch more ground ginger, a touch of allspice, or even a tiny amount of ground cloves could be added to the dry ingredients for an intensified spice profile. Conversely, if you prefer a milder spice blend, you can slightly reduce the amounts of cinnamon or nutmeg. Remember, the beauty of homemade baking lies in customizing it to your personal taste and creating something that truly speaks to your palate!

• Frosting Enhancements: While I firmly believe the cream cheese frosting as written is utter perfection, a tiny swirl of maple syrup (about a teaspoon, to taste) can be whisked into a portion of the frosting for a subtle maple note, especially if you’re serving them during the Thanksgiving season. Alternatively, a beautiful sprinkle of ground cinnamon, nutmeg, or even a dash of pumpkin pie spice on top of the frosted cookies just before serving adds a beautiful visual and aromatic touch that enhances the overall experience.

Your Turn to Bake & Share!

I truly hope you feel inspired to head into your kitchen and give this recipe a try. It’s more than just a list of instructions; it’s an invitation to create something truly magical. It’s surprisingly simple to follow, and the reward—the aroma filling your home, the smiles on the faces of those who taste them, and the sheer delight of that first bite—is truly magnificent. There’s something incredibly satisfying and heartwarming about creating something so delicious from scratch, especially when it brings such joy and comfort to those you share it with. So, roll up your sleeves, gather your ingredients, and prepare to fill your home with the most wonderful scents of autumn.

I absolutely cannot wait to hear about your experience! Please, don’t keep your baking adventures to yourself. Share your photos of your beautiful batches, your feedback on the recipe, and any of your own creative twists or serving suggestions you come up with. Tag me on social media or leave a comment below; your stories and insights are incredibly valuable and help build our wonderful, supportive baking community. Let’s spread the pumpkin cookie love far and wide! Go forth, embrace the warmth of your oven, and enjoy the pure, unadulterated pleasure of these exquisite pumpkin cookies. Happy baking, my friends!

Soft Pumpkin Cookies The Best Recipe With Cream Cheese Frosting

These incredibly tender cookies capture the essence of fall, combining a soft, pillowy texture with rich, earthy pumpkin and warm spices. Crowned with tangy, velvety cream cheese frosting, they are an unforgettable sensation, destined to become your go-to recipe every fall.

Prep Time
30 Minutes

Cook Time
15 Minutes

Total Time
45 Minutes

Servings
24 cookies

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened (for cookies)
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for cookies)
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (for frosting)

Instructions

1. Step 1
   Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Ensure all cold ingredients (butter, cream cheese, egg) are at room temperature.
2. Step 2
   In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. Set aside.
3. Step 3
   In a large bowl, cream 1 cup softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy (2-3 minutes).
4. Step 4
   Beat in the large egg and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until fully incorporated and smooth.
5. Step 5
   Mix in 1 cup pumpkin puree on low speed until just combined, ensuring no streaks remain.
6. Step 6
   Gradually add the whisked dry ingredients to the pumpkin mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Do not overmix; stop when flour streaks disappear. Dough will be soft and sticky.
7. Step 7
   Scoop rounded spoonfuls of dough (1.5-2 tbsp) onto prepared baking sheets, 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-14 minutes, until edges are lightly golden and centers are set but still soft. Avoid overbaking.
8. Step 8
   Cool cookies on baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Ensure cookies are *completely cool* before frosting.
9. Step 9
   In a large bowl, beat 8 ounces softened cream cheese and 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter until smooth, creamy, and lump-free (2-3 minutes).
10. Step 10
    Gradually add 4 cups sifted powdered sugar on low speed until incorporated. Increase speed to medium-high and beat for 1-2 minutes until light and fluffy. Stir in 2 teaspoons vanilla extract. Optionally, add 1-2 tablespoons milk or heavy cream for desired spreadable consistency.
11. Step 11
    Spread a generous amount of frosting onto each *completely cooled* cookie. Optionally, garnish with a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or finely chopped nuts. Serve at room temperature.
12. Step 12
    Store frosted cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For best flavor and texture, let them sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving. Unfrosted cookies can be frozen for up to 3 months; frosted cookies for 1 month (layer with parchment paper).

Important Information

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.