Description
Soft, fluffy Pumpkin Sugar Cookies topped with tangy cream cheese frosting. Cozy spice, easy steps, and perfect for Halloween trays, bake sales, and fall afternoons.
Ingredients
Cookies:
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice, plus extra for sprinkling
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 1/4 cups canned pumpkin puree
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Cream Cheese Frosting:
8 ounces low-fat cream cheese, room temperature
3 tablespoons butter, room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups powdered sugar
1–2 teaspoons milk, as needed (optional)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice, and salt until evenly combined.
3. Beat softened butter with granulated and brown sugars until light and fluffy.
4. Mix in pumpkin puree, egg, and vanilla until just combined to keep the dough airy.
5. Fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until no streaks remain; the dough will be soft.
6. Scoop heaping tablespoons onto the sheet, then gently flatten tops with fingers or a spoon.
7. Bake 15–20 minutes until set and the tops spring back lightly when touched.
8. Cool on the sheet 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
9. For frosting, beat cream cheese, butter, and vanilla until smooth and creamy.
10. Gradually add powdered sugar until thick and spreadable; adjust with milk or more sugar if needed.
11. Frost fully cooled cookies and sprinkle a pinch of pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon on top.
12. Refrigerate cookies in an airtight container for best texture and clean frosting lines.
Notes
The dough is very soft and puffs slightly in the oven instead of spreading; flatten before baking for even rounds.
Always cool cookies completely before frosting to prevent sliding.
Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
You can drizzle the frosting instead of spreading it and adjust spice amounts to taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Halloween Recipes
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie