Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free blend for gluten-free option)
- 1 cup pumpkin puree (preferably canned pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling)
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened (or coconut oil for vegan option)
- 1 large egg (or flax egg: 1 tablespoon flaxseed meal + 3 tablespoons water for vegan)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional Add-ins & Variations
- ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
- ½ cup semi-sweet or white chocolate chips
- Adjust spices: increase or reduce cinnamon and cloves to taste
Instructions
- Prep Your Ingredients: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining your baking sheet with parchment paper. Measure all ingredients in advance to streamline the mixing process.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and brown sugar together until fluffy and light in color, usually around 3-4 minutes. This step ensures the cookies have a soft texture.
- Add Pumpkin and Egg: Mix in the pumpkin puree, egg, and vanilla extract until fully combined. This mixture brings moisture and richness to the dough.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and pumpkin spice blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger. This evenly distributes the spices and leavening agent.
- Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined. Overmixing can make cookies tough, so stop when everything is incorporated.
- Scoop and Bake: Drop tablespoons of dough onto your prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are set but centers remain soft.
- Cool and Enjoy: Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This resting helps the cookies firm up perfectly.
Notes
- Use real pumpkin puree rather than pumpkin pie filling for best moisture and flavor.
- Chill the dough for 30 minutes to prevent excessive spreading and deepen flavor.
- Do not overbake; cookies should be pulled out when edges are set but centers remain soft.
- Measure flour correctly by spooning and leveling instead of scooping directly to ensure accuracy.
- Add a pinch of salt to enhance spices and balance sweetness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free (with gluten-free flour substitution)
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 140mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: Pumpkin spice cookies, soft cookies, fall cookies, autumn recipes, gluten free cookies, pumpkin cookies, cozy desserts