Soft Pumpkin Cookies (Printable)
Tender, cake-like cookies with pumpkin and warm spices, perfect for autumn treats.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Dry Ingredients
01 - 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 teaspoon baking powder
03 - 1 teaspoon baking soda
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
05 - 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
06 - 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
07 - 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
08 - 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
→ Wet Ingredients
09 - 1 cup granulated sugar
10 - 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
11 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
12 - 1 cup pumpkin purée
13 - 1 large egg
14 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
→ Optional Add-ins
15 - 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips or chopped nuts
# How-to Steps:
01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves until well combined.
03 - In a large bowl, cream together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and softened butter until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
04 - Beat in the pumpkin purée, egg, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and thoroughly combined.
05 - Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed just until incorporated. Do not overmix.
06 - Gently fold in chocolate chips or nuts if using.
07 - Drop the dough by rounded tablespoons onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
08 - Bake for 11 to 13 minutes, or until the edges are set and the tops look dry but slightly soft to the touch.
09 - Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- They stay incredibly soft for days thanks to the pumpkin
- The spice blend hits that perfect autumn comfort note
- One bowl makes enough to share or keep all to yourself
02 -
- Pumpkin purée varies by brand, so your dough might be stickier or drier than expected
- These cookies freeze beautifully if you want to bake half now and half later
- The spices actually develop more flavor overnight if you can wait that long
03 -
- Room temperature ingredients mix more evenly and create better texture
- Weighing your flour instead of measuring by cup prevents dense cookies