Autumn is synonymous with the rich aromas of spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. One treat that truly captures the essence of fall is the pumpkin spiced cookies. These cookies are soft, chewy, and infused with the perfect blend of spices, making them a cozy snack for any occasion. Whether you’re hosting a gathering or simply looking to enjoy a sweet treat with a cup of coffee, this guide will take you through everything you need to know about these delicious cookies.
Why Pumpkin Spiced Cookies Are the Ultimate Fall Treat
As soon as the first leaf falls, pumpkin spice reigns supreme in kitchens everywhere. From lattes to pies, it’s a flavor that has cemented its place in autumn traditions. But why stop at beverages? Pumpkin spiced cookies combine the beloved seasonal flavors with the timeless joy of homemade cookies, making them irresistible.
These cookies offer more than just flavor. With the inclusion of pumpkin puree, they are packed with vitamins and fiber, adding a touch of nutrition to your indulgence. Plus, the spices used — cinnamon, ginger, cloves — are known for their health benefits, including anti-inflammatory properties.
The Popularity of Pumpkin Spice
It’s no secret that pumpkin spice has taken the world by storm. The combination of spices and the subtle sweetness of pumpkin has become a hallmark of the fall season. When you bite into a pumpkin spiced cookie, you’re savoring the essence of this trend in cookie form. With each bite, the soft texture and warm spices transport you to a cozy autumn day.
Ingredients You’ll Need to Make the Best Pumpkin Spiced Cookies
Creating pumpkin spiced cookies is simple and requires only a handful of everyday ingredients. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need:
Essential Ingredients
- Unsalted Butter: Helps create a tender cookie crumb. Softening the butter is key for better mixing.
- Granulated Sugar and Brown Sugar: A mix of both sugars adds sweetness and a slight caramel-like flavor, with the brown sugar adding moisture.
- Pumpkin Puree: The star of the recipe, bringing moisture and flavor to the cookies.
- Egg and Vanilla Extract: These enhance flavor and provide structure.
- All-Purpose Flour: A staple in cookie recipes that provides the base.
- Baking Powder & Baking Soda: Help the cookies rise and remain fluffy.
- Salt: Enhances the sweetness by balancing the flavors.
- Ground Spices (Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Ginger, Cloves): These spices add the signature pumpkin spice flavor.
Why These Ingredients Work Together
The combination of butter, sugars, and pumpkin puree creates the perfect chewy texture, while the spices infuse every bite with rich fall flavors. Cinnamon is the dominant spice, providing warmth, while nutmeg and cloves offer depth. The pumpkin puree ensures the cookies remain moist without being too dense.
Step-by-Step Directions for Perfect Pumpkin Spiced Cookies
Follow these simple steps to create cookies that are sure to become a family favorite:
1. Preheat Your Oven
Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. This step ensures even baking and easy cleanup.
2. Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Beat until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which usually takes about 2-3 minutes.
3. Mix in Wet Ingredients
Add the pumpkin puree, egg, and vanilla extract to the creamed mixture. Beat again until well combined. The pumpkin puree provides moisture and adds a subtle sweetness.
4. Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. These spices are essential to creating that signature pumpkin spice flavor.
5. Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually combine the dry ingredients with the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the cookies tough.
6. Scoop the Dough
Using a spoon or cookie scoop, drop spoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Space them about 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading.
7. Bake the Cookies
Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the centers are set. The key is to avoid overbaking; the cookies should remain soft and chewy.
8. Cool and Enjoy
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This helps them firm up while remaining moist on the inside.
Notes and Expert Tips for Perfect Pumpkin Spiced Cookies
1. Don’t Overmix
Once the dry ingredients are added, stir just until combined. Overmixing can result in dense, tough cookies.
2. Room Temperature Ingredients
Ensure the butter and egg are at room temperature. This makes for easier mixing and results in a more consistent texture.
3. Adjusting Spices
If you prefer a spicier cookie, feel free to increase the amount of cinnamon or ginger. You can also add a pinch of allspice for an extra kick.
4. Freezing the Dough
To save time, you can freeze the cookie dough. Scoop it onto a baking sheet, freeze, then store the dough balls in a freezer bag. When ready to bake, pop them in the oven straight from the freezer.
5. Soft Cookies
To keep your cookies soft, store them in an airtight container with a slice of bread. The bread will absorb moisture and keep your cookies fresh for days.
Nutritional Information & Health Benefits of Pumpkin Spiced Cookies
Despite being a sweet treat, pumpkin spiced cookies offer a few surprising health benefits. The pumpkin puree adds a dose of vitamins and fiber, while the spices like cinnamon and ginger contain antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.
Nutrition details per serving (1 cookie):
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Protein: 2g
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
- Sodium: 80mg
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 15g
- Vitamin A: 1500 IU
- Calcium: 30mg
- Iron: 0.7mg
Health Benefits of Pumpkin and Spices
- Pumpkin: Rich in vitamin A, promotes healthy skin and vision.
- Cinnamon: Helps regulate blood sugar levels and has anti-inflammatory effects.
- Ginger: Known for its digestive benefits and anti-nausea properties.
- Cloves: High in antioxidants, which help reduce oxidative stress.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes, you can! Simply roast a fresh pumpkin and puree it. Be sure to strain it well to remove excess moisture, as fresh pumpkin can be more watery than canned.
You can replace the butter with a vegan alternative, such as coconut oil or vegan butter, and substitute the egg with a flax egg (1 tablespoon of flaxseed meal mixed with 3 tablespoons of water).
Stored in an airtight container, they’ll stay fresh for up to 5 days at room temperature. They also freeze well for up to 3 months.
Absolutely! Chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or dried cranberries are great additions. These mix-ins can add texture and a fun twist to the classic recipe.
Final Thoughts on Pumpkin Spiced Cookies
Whether you’re making these cookies for a fall celebration or just because you’re craving something sweet, this pumpkin spiced cookie recipe is a must-try. The perfect balance of pumpkin and spices creates a chewy, flavorful treat that’s sure to become a fall favorite. Plus, with these tips and variations, you can customize the recipe to suit your taste.
Go ahead and bake up a batch — your home will be filled with the warm, comforting aroma of pumpkin spiced cookies in no time!
PrintPumpkin Spiced Cookies
When the cool breeze of autumn rolls in, there’s nothing quite like the warm, comforting scent of pumpkin spiced cookies baking in the oven. These cookies, bursting with the rich flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, offer a delightful mix of sweetness and spice that’s perfect for cozying up during the fall. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting, this recipe is simple, quick, and guaranteed to impress your friends and family.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup canned pumpkin puree
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
Instructions
- Preheat your oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cream the butter and sugars: In a large mixing bowl, use a hand or stand mixer to cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is crucial for achieving that perfect cookie texture.
- Mix in the wet ingredients: Add in the pumpkin puree, egg, and vanilla extract, then beat the mixture until everything is well combined. The pumpkin adds a moist, tender crumb to the cookies.
- Prepare the dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. These spices are the star of the show, bringing out the warm and cozy flavors we associate with autumn.
- Combine dry and wet ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; you want the dough to stay light and fluffy.
- Scoop the dough: Drop spoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches of space between each cookie. You can use a cookie scoop or simply a spoon for this step.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers are set. If you love a chewy center, keep an eye on the bake time and remove them just as they firm up.
- Cool and serve: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy them warm or at room temperature – either way, they’re delicious!
Notes
- Don’t overmix: Once you add the dry ingredients, mix just until combined. Overmixing can result in a tougher texture.
- Pumpkin choice: Make sure you use canned pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling, which is already sweetened and spiced.
- Spice it up: If you love bold flavors, feel free to add extra cinnamon or ginger to the dough.
- Storage: Store your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. These cookies also freeze well; just pop them in the freezer, and they’ll stay fresh for up to 3 months.
- Add-ins: Want to mix it up? Throw in some chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or even dried cranberries for a fun twist on this classic cookie.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 80mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: Fall cookie recipes ,Pumpkin spice desserts ,Easy autumn cookies ,Spiced pumpkin cookies