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My favorite soft pumpkin cookies recipe, topped with the most heavenly cream cheese frosting. It’s the perfect fall dessert recipe!
Who’s ready for some fall baking? ? ? ?
I just officially stocked my pantry with its first round of pumpkin puree for the season (yesss), and whipped up a fresh batch of homemade pumpkin pie spice (just 5 ingredients!), and stocked the fridge with a very friendly stash of butter and cream cheese to have on hand (because…butter and cream cheese ?).
Now the question is simply…what to make?!?
I’m feeling all of the baking vibes this year, and have a long list of new recipes that I’d like to try. But if you have any specific requests or favorite recipes to share, I’d love love love to hear ’em. (Seriously, your requests are my favorite recipes to share here!)
That said, I also have a long list of pumpkin recipes here on the site that I’m excited to revisit this fall, including these perfectly soft and delicious pumpkin cookies with cream cheese frosting that I first shared way back in my very first year of blogging (holla 2009!). I was cleaning out an old camera card this week and forgot that I had re-photographed them last year. So I thought I would bump this recipe back to the top of the blog today for anyone who might have missed them over the years. They have been my go-to pumpkin cookie recipe for literally a decade now, and they are seriously the best.
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To make them, simply whip up a quick batch of cookie batter featuring lots of pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice. Heads up that the batter for this recipe is super-soft (very different than, say, chocolate chip cookie dough batter), and tends to puff up a bit rather than flatten during baking. I like to use a cookie scoop to plop it onto a parchment-covered baking sheet, and then gently press the batter down with my fingers a bit to flatten.
Then, while those yummy cookies are baking in the oven, I highly recommend whipping up a batch of this heavenly cream cheese frosting. It’s indulgent and doesn’t cut corners…and it is THE BEST. ?
Then once the cookies are ready to go, let them cool completely to room temperature before frosting. (<– Otherwise that delicious cream cream cheese icing will slide right off!) Then give them a quick frost…maybe an extra sprinkle of cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice…
…and behold, these gorgeous soft pumpkin cookies will be yours to share and enjoy. (<– Key word: share, since I can vouch from personal experience that these cookies have a way of making everyone smile and feel all ? ? ? about fall.)
This soft pumpkin cookies recipe is my absolute fave! Soft spiced pumpkin cookies topped with a heavenly cream cheese frosting — what’s not to love? :)
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice, and salt until combined. Set aside.
In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar on medium-high speed for 1 minute until light and fluffy. Add in the pumpkin, egg, and vanilla to butter mixture, and beat on medium-speed until just combined. Fold in the dry ingredients until just combined.
Drop on cookie sheet by heaping tablespoonfuls (I like to use this cookie scoop), then use your fingers or a spoon to flatten then slightly. (These cookies tend to poof up slightly rather than flatten during baking, so shape them beforehand however you’d like. They won’t rise much.)
Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the cookies are cooked through and bounce back slightly if you touch them. Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool until they reach room temperature. Then frost or drizzle with cream cheese frosting, and sprinkle with an extra pinch of pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon if you’d like. Refrigerate in a sealed container for up to 3 days.
To Make Cream Cheese Frosting:
With an electric mixer, beat cream cheese, butter and vanilla together on medium-high speed until smooth. Gradually add in the powdered sugar until it is all combined and the frosting is smooth. If it is too thick, add in a tablespoon or two of milk (or water) until it reaches your desired consistency. If it is too thin, add in more powdered sugar until it reaches your desired consistency.
Notes
Adapted from All Recipes. Updated in September 2017.
Made these for Thanksgiving this year! I didn’t want to do a typical pumpkin pie since it was just me myself and I this year, and these were so fun and easy to make PLUS tasted AMAZING
I actually have not made these yet but they sound amazing! Just wondering if I can freeze them as I want to make a few batched for christmas cookie gifts. Thanks!
Roni —
I’m not sure if the recipe is at fault or if I’m an idiot but it’s probably the latter considering the good reviews. I made the 2x version of the recipe. After making the dough I realized it was just a tad bit too watery, but I fugured since it wasn’t much and the recipe already called for 5 cups of flour it wouldn’t be too bad. Wrong. After about 20 minutes in the oven I realized that they had completely splayed out and were flat, some time later, when they looked “cooked” despite being flat, I took them out and they were nothing like a cookie. I had already used a lot of ingredients and didn’t want to eat something disgusting, so I added more flour until I they were thick enough to not splay out after a few minutes. So I baked a batch and visually they looked ok, but since I added more flour they tasted very bland. I’m not quite sure what I should have done int his situation, maybe add more pumpkin puree? But in that case I’d probably return to the same problem as before, the batter not being thick enough.
Amber —
Baked very well, just didn’t get the pumpkin flavor I expected.
I made these tonight and they were so good!! My only adjustment is I 1/2 all the cream cheese ingredients because the origonal recipe was WAY too much! Are these cookies supposed to be super sticky? How did you get them into perfect round shape, mine look a bit crazy! Saved this recipe for next year fall. Thank you.
Anna R —
I’m right there with you, Paula!!! I struggled sooooo much to get them into balls. I do have an ice cream scooper but not a spring loaded one, so it didn’t really work. I used my fingers to twist the batter around until they were round -ish😅
I made these into more of a whoopie-pie type cookie, and they were almost all gone within seconds after putting them out! I used normal cream-cheese for the frosting and it tasted SOOOOOOOOOOOO good!
Millenia —
I love this recipe, I also used regular cream cheese and it didn’t taste much different than the last time I used low fat cream cheese. I think the texture was just thicker, which helped me pipe the frosting. Overall this recipe is perfect, I made some for my daughters school and my work and they all asked for more! So I’m currently making more for everyone lol.
Absolutely delicious! The cookies are fluffy, pumpkiny, and sweet without being sickly. The cream cheese frosting is the perfect topping, and the recipe was quick and easy to follow!
i made these cookies for a party & they were SUCH a hit! every person told me about 15 times each how delicious they were. they were so fluffy, light, and just delicious. i will definitely be making them a ton this fall season for all of my get togethers & such! thank you!
These are the best pumpkin cookies I’ve ever had! They are soft and have the right amount of pumpkin. The cream cheese icing really makes these cookies!
These are too good. I did change a recipe a bit though.
What I did: I used cinnamon instead of the pumpkin spice thing, they turned out as good, I also only used 4 tablespoons of pumpkin, didn’t feel as strong. I also added chocolate chips, too good. Lastly I also did sift the flour, I have no idea if that changes how they feel, but yeah.
I would recommend this, it’s real simple and delicious.
Not sure if I did something wrong, but my battery turned out SUPER sticky, so it was impossible to get nice smooth cookies. Even still, the cookies turned out super soft and yummy!
Love hearing guests go yumm! First time I made these Pumpkin cookies last Autumn they were gone way too quickly. Other guests were looking for them and they were gone. So I guess I’ll make a double batch this year.
Thanks for the great recipes. Made these for the first time today for a neighborhood get together. BIG hit! I didn’t make any changes to cookie or frosting recipes. Baked at 345 in convection oven for 12 minutes.
Delicious! I did add mini chocolate morsels and chopped walnuts to the cookie mix at the end. I chose cinnamon to sprinkle on top. Makes 3 dozen as stated. Baked a full 21-22 minutes.
I came across this recipe last year, and now they are my fall favourite. My husbands coworkers, as well as my own, ask for them constantly – it’s such a no brainer recipe! The are so soft and fluffy, and the frosting adds to them perfectly. 10/10 🙌🏼
These cookies come out absolutely delicious! The cream cheese frosting pairs perfectly with the pumpkin cookie! Every time I make these, people absolutely love them. The prep time is a little bit long, but let me tell you, it is so worth it!
These were sooo velvety, moist, and delectable! The icing makes them really stand out, but I did think two cups of powdered sugar was way to much so I cut the sugar in half and had no issue. I found it helpful to chill the dough as mine was a bit liquidy from me beating the sugar mixture by hand.
Halved the recipe and it came out perfectly. I did scant granulated sugar because I don’t like cookies with frosting to taste too sweet and I’m glad I did because they are still overly sweet for me. Used a cookie scoop and greased my fingers to press the cookies down and it worked like a charm. Baked 18 minutes for me and came out DEVINE. Ty for posting this!
Just plain DANDY!! Many thanks. I will figure out what to do with the extra icing – won’t be a problem :)
One hint because the dough is so sticky: I just touched my finger on remnants of the pumpkin and pressed the dough down with the slightly moistened digit: worked great!!
Roni – some recipes don’t double well. Lesson learned??
I have baked these twice and given cookies away. Everyone loves them. Easy to bake. I use less cream cheese and powdered sugar as prefer less frosting on the cookies. Otherwise followed the recipe. Delicious!
I had left over spiced pumpkin and found this recipe. After reading the comments I added crunched English Toffee bits to batter. After I frosted the cookies sprinkled with more toffee bits. Absolutely delicious cookies with or without the bits
My family and friends love these cookies. I started making them for a neighbor’s annual Fall Soup party, and the guests rave about them. The recipe is easy to follow and make. I’ve made them without the cream cheese icing and made a glaze, they were good but so much better with the icing. These cookies have become a tradition.
Made these for Thanksgiving this year! I didn’t want to do a typical pumpkin pie since it was just me myself and I this year, and these were so fun and easy to make PLUS tasted AMAZING
Absolutely fantastic! Everyone loves them and I will be making these every year from now on.
Yummy! I added some chocolate morsels. Delicious and cute!
Making a batch to send to my grandson. Do they keep well enough for mailing.
It says keep refrigerated for up to 3 days.
I actually have not made these yet but they sound amazing! Just wondering if I can freeze them as I want to make a few batched for christmas cookie gifts. Thanks!
I’m not sure if the recipe is at fault or if I’m an idiot but it’s probably the latter considering the good reviews. I made the 2x version of the recipe. After making the dough I realized it was just a tad bit too watery, but I fugured since it wasn’t much and the recipe already called for 5 cups of flour it wouldn’t be too bad. Wrong. After about 20 minutes in the oven I realized that they had completely splayed out and were flat, some time later, when they looked “cooked” despite being flat, I took them out and they were nothing like a cookie. I had already used a lot of ingredients and didn’t want to eat something disgusting, so I added more flour until I they were thick enough to not splay out after a few minutes. So I baked a batch and visually they looked ok, but since I added more flour they tasted very bland. I’m not quite sure what I should have done int his situation, maybe add more pumpkin puree? But in that case I’d probably return to the same problem as before, the batter not being thick enough.
Baked very well, just didn’t get the pumpkin flavor I expected.
This recipe was soooooo easy. And the cookies turned out great. I rarely bake and I am happy with the results
I made these tonight and they were so good!! My only adjustment is I 1/2 all the cream cheese ingredients because the origonal recipe was WAY too much! Are these cookies supposed to be super sticky? How did you get them into perfect round shape, mine look a bit crazy! Saved this recipe for next year fall. Thank you.
I’m right there with you, Paula!!! I struggled sooooo much to get them into balls. I do have an ice cream scooper but not a spring loaded one, so it didn’t really work. I used my fingers to twist the batter around until they were round -ish😅
I made these into more of a whoopie-pie type cookie, and they were almost all gone within seconds after putting them out! I used normal cream-cheese for the frosting and it tasted SOOOOOOOOOOOO good!
I love this recipe, I also used regular cream cheese and it didn’t taste much different than the last time I used low fat cream cheese. I think the texture was just thicker, which helped me pipe the frosting. Overall this recipe is perfect, I made some for my daughters school and my work and they all asked for more! So I’m currently making more for everyone lol.
The recipe is AWESOME! It’s easy to do and the cookies are really good.
Absolutely delicious! The cookies are fluffy, pumpkiny, and sweet without being sickly. The cream cheese frosting is the perfect topping, and the recipe was quick and easy to follow!
I haven’t made these yet, but am just wondering if I could use prepared pumpkin pie mix to make the cookies.
i made these cookies for a party & they were SUCH a hit! every person told me about 15 times each how delicious they were. they were so fluffy, light, and just delicious. i will definitely be making them a ton this fall season for all of my get togethers & such! thank you!
I made these for a bake sale. Do you know of any tips to keep plastic from sticking to the frosting?
you could make a little Whoopie pies instead? Natasha’s kitchen has a very similar recipe and that’s how she puts them together
These are amazing! I wasn’t sure about the texture when I was scooping them onto the cookie sheet but they turned out perfect. So tasty and easy!
These are the best pumpkin cookies I’ve ever had! They are soft and have the right amount of pumpkin. The cream cheese icing really makes these cookies!
Does these taste like a pumpkin bread texture?
These are too good. I did change a recipe a bit though.
What I did: I used cinnamon instead of the pumpkin spice thing, they turned out as good, I also only used 4 tablespoons of pumpkin, didn’t feel as strong. I also added chocolate chips, too good. Lastly I also did sift the flour, I have no idea if that changes how they feel, but yeah.
I would recommend this, it’s real simple and delicious.
These are very tasty! However, my had more of a cake texture than a cookie texture. I followed the recipe but I’m not sure what happened.
Can you freeze them?
Not sure if I did something wrong, but my battery turned out SUPER sticky, so it was impossible to get nice smooth cookies. Even still, the cookies turned out super soft and yummy!
Love hearing guests go yumm! First time I made these Pumpkin cookies last Autumn they were gone way too quickly. Other guests were looking for them and they were gone. So I guess I’ll make a double batch this year.
Thanks for the great recipes. Made these for the first time today for a neighborhood get together. BIG hit! I didn’t make any changes to cookie or frosting recipes. Baked at 345 in convection oven for 12 minutes.
I had same experience as Roni…very sticky, impossible to form. I am adding more flour, we’ll see!
These are a favorite whenever I make them for others!
I was curious if I could freeze them and frost at a later time. Please let me know! Thank you!
Delicious! I did add mini chocolate morsels and chopped walnuts to the cookie mix at the end. I chose cinnamon to sprinkle on top. Makes 3 dozen as stated. Baked a full 21-22 minutes.
I came across this recipe last year, and now they are my fall favourite. My husbands coworkers, as well as my own, ask for them constantly – it’s such a no brainer recipe! The are so soft and fluffy, and the frosting adds to them perfectly. 10/10 🙌🏼
These cookies come out absolutely delicious! The cream cheese frosting pairs perfectly with the pumpkin cookie! Every time I make these, people absolutely love them. The prep time is a little bit long, but let me tell you, it is so worth it!
These were sooo velvety, moist, and delectable! The icing makes them really stand out, but I did think two cups of powdered sugar was way to much so I cut the sugar in half and had no issue. I found it helpful to chill the dough as mine was a bit liquidy from me beating the sugar mixture by hand.
Halved the recipe and it came out perfectly. I did scant granulated sugar because I don’t like cookies with frosting to taste too sweet and I’m glad I did because they are still overly sweet for me. Used a cookie scoop and greased my fingers to press the cookies down and it worked like a charm. Baked 18 minutes for me and came out DEVINE. Ty for posting this!
Loved it! So soft and fluffy. I was a bit skeptical because the batter wasn’t the easiest to put on the baking sheet, but it turned out so good!
These cookies are easy to make and delicious. Recommend.
Just plain DANDY!!! Easy to bake (yes, sticky!!) and I’m wondering what to do with the extra icing (will NOT be a problem)!! Many thanks :)
Just plain DANDY!! Many thanks. I will figure out what to do with the extra icing – won’t be a problem :)
One hint because the dough is so sticky: I just touched my finger on remnants of the pumpkin and pressed the dough down with the slightly moistened digit: worked great!!
Roni – some recipes don’t double well. Lesson learned??
I have baked these twice and given cookies away. Everyone loves them. Easy to bake. I use less cream cheese and powdered sugar as prefer less frosting on the cookies. Otherwise followed the recipe. Delicious!
heavenly! Not too sweet either! I can’t wait to share some.
I had left over spiced pumpkin and found this recipe. After reading the comments I added crunched English Toffee bits to batter. After I frosted the cookies sprinkled with more toffee bits. Absolutely delicious cookies with or without the bits
These are so good! I especially love them for the fall season! The flavors blend perfectly and they are the perfect texture!
My family and friends love these cookies. I started making them for a neighbor’s annual Fall Soup party, and the guests rave about them. The recipe is easy to follow and make. I’ve made them without the cream cheese icing and made a glaze, they were good but so much better with the icing. These cookies have become a tradition.