If you’re craving a cozy, fall-inspired treat that feels indulgent but is packed with wholesome goodness, the Healthy Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Salted Maple Frosting Recipe is here to delight your taste buds and warm your heart. These cookies are perfectly soft with the natural sweetness of pumpkin and warming spices, complemented by a luscious salted maple frosting that strikes just the right balance between sweet and savory. Whether you’re baking for a festive gathering or treating yourself on a quiet afternoon, this recipe transforms simple, nourishing ingredients into a mouthwatering comfort food classic you’ll adore.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Healthy Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Salted Maple Frosting Recipe lies in its beautifully simple yet essential ingredients. Each one plays a unique role, from lending moisture and spice to adding wholesome texture and that irresistible fall flavor we all crave.
- Pumpkin puree: Provides natural moisture and a subtle sweetness, plus that gorgeous orange hue.
- Coconut oil, melted: Adds healthy fats and keeps the cookies soft and tender.
- Coconut sugar: A natural sweetener with a slight caramel note that complements the spices perfectly.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances all the flavors with its warm, aromatic depth.
- Whole wheat flour: Brings a wholesome, nutty flavor and added fiber for a healthier base.
- Baking powder: Gives the cookies just enough lift and fluffiness.
- Cinnamon: A classic spice that infuses warmth and sweetness.
- Nutmeg: Adds a cozy, slightly nutty flavor to deepen the spice mix.
- Ground ginger: Introduces a subtle zing that livens up the cookie’s profile.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the other flavors.
- Maple syrup: Sweetens and flavors the frosting naturally with that unmistakable maple richness.
- Coconut cream: Creates a rich, silky frosting that’s dairy-free and indulgent.
- Sea salt, for sprinkling: Finishing touch that adds texture and a pop of savory contrast on top.
How to Make Healthy Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Salted Maple Frosting Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Baking Surface
Begin by heating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to ensure your cookies come off easily without losing their soft edges, which is key for that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, combine the pumpkin puree, melted coconut oil, coconut sugar, and vanilla extract. Stir them together until the mixture is smooth and homogeneous, which helps ensure every bite of cookie is perfectly moist and flavorful.
Step 3: Whisk the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together whole wheat flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, ground ginger, and salt. This dry blend is what brings the signature spiced warmth and tenderness to the cookies.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry to Form Dough
Gradually add the dry ingredients into your wet mix, gently stirring until the dough just comes together. You don’t want to overmix here—the dough should be thick and soft, ready for baking.
Step 5: Portion and Flatten the Cookies
Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto your prepared baking sheet, spacing them evenly. Give each mound a slight press down to help the cookies bake evenly while maintaining their softness.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, keeping a close eye so they turn just lightly golden around the edges but stay soft and tender inside. Once baked, let them cool completely on the sheet—it’s important for getting ready to frost without melting your icing.
Step 7: Whisk and Drizzle the Salted Maple Frosting
Combine maple syrup, coconut cream, and vanilla extract in a small bowl, whisking until smooth and luscious. Drizzle the frosting generously over each cooled cookie, then finish with a sprinkle of sea salt to create that divine sweet and salty contrast that makes these treats unforgettable.
How to Serve Healthy Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Salted Maple Frosting Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkling a few more flakes of sea salt on top after frosting adds that irresistible savory kick and a little crunchy texture that perfectly complements the cookie’s soft crumb. For a festive touch, you can also add a tiny dusting of cinnamon or a few toasted pumpkin seeds.
Side Dishes
These cookies shine with a warm cup of chai tea, coffee, or even a glass of cold milk. If you’re serving them as part of a dessert spread, fresh fruit like sliced pears or spiced apples pairs beautifully and keeps things balanced and fresh.
Creative Ways to Present
Try stacking these cookies with parchment paper in between to create a stunning dessert tower, perfect for parties. You could also sandwich them with a bit more frosting or mascarpone cream cheese for an elegant twist. Wrapping a few in cellophane tied with a ribbon makes for charming homemade gifts that everyone will love.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled and frosted, place your cookies in an airtight container and store them at room temperature for up to 3 days. Their softness holds up wonderfully, and the frosting stays smooth and delicious.
Freezing
These wonderful Healthy Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Salted Maple Frosting Recipe cookies freeze beautifully! Freeze them unfrosted in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a resealable bag or container. When ready, thaw completely before frosting and serving.
Reheating
If you want to enjoy them warm, gently reheat unfrosted cookies in a microwave for 10 to 15 seconds or in a preheated 300°F oven for 5 minutes, then add the frosting after warming for the best texture and flavor.
FAQs
Can I use canned pumpkin puree for this recipe?
Absolutely! Canned pumpkin puree works perfectly and helps save time. Just be sure it’s pure pumpkin and not pumpkin pie filling, which contains added sugar and spices.
Is there a substitute for coconut sugar?
You can substitute coconut sugar with brown sugar or maple sugar. Each will slightly alter the flavor, but you’ll still get a lovely depth of sweetness and moistness that makes these cookies so irresistible.
Can I make this recipe vegan?
This recipe is already vegan-friendly as it uses coconut oil and coconut cream instead of dairy, and there are no eggs involved. Just double-check your maple syrup is pure and vegan-certified if that’s important to you.
How soft are these pumpkin cookies?
They are wonderfully soft with a tender crumb that practically melts in your mouth. The fats from coconut oil and the moist pumpkin puree keep them super soft, unlike many crisp pumpkin cookies you might find.
Can I add nuts or chocolate chips to the dough?
Definitely! Chopped pecans, walnuts, or dairy-free chocolate chips would add a delightful crunch and extra bursts of flavor without compromising the cookie’s softness.
Final Thoughts
Nothing feels quite as comforting as a batch of homemade Healthy Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Salted Maple Frosting Recipe fresh out of the oven. With each bite bursting with cozy spices and that perfect sweet-salty finish, these cookies are sure to become your new seasonal favorite. I can’t wait for you to try them and share the warmth and joy they bring to any day.
Print
Healthy Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Salted Maple Frosting Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 18 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Healthy Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Salted Maple Frosting are a delightful treat that combines the warm flavors of pumpkin and spices with a luscious, subtly sweet maple frosting topped with a hint of sea salt. Made with whole wheat flour and natural sweeteners like coconut sugar and maple syrup, these cookies offer a nutritious twist on a classic seasonal favorite. Perfectly soft and easy to prepare, they are a wholesome dessert or snack for the fall season.
Ingredients
Cookie Ingredients
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/2 cup coconut oil, melted
- 1/2 cup coconut sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Frosting Ingredients
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons coconut cream
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Sea salt, for sprinkling
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine pumpkin puree, melted coconut oil, coconut sugar, and vanilla extract. Stir until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together whole wheat flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, ground ginger, and salt to evenly distribute the spices and leavening agents.
- Form Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring continuously until a soft dough forms, ensuring all ingredients are fully incorporated.
- Shape Cookies: Using a tablespoon, scoop portions of dough and place them onto the prepared baking sheet. Slightly flatten each cookie to ensure even baking.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes until they are set and the edges turn lightly golden. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely on the baking sheet.
- Prepare Frosting: While the cookies cool, whisk together maple syrup, coconut cream, and vanilla extract in a small bowl until the frosting is smooth and pourable.
- Frost and Finish: Drizzle the maple frosting over the cooled cookies and sprinkle a pinch of sea salt on top to enhance the flavors with a slight salty contrast.
Notes
- You can substitute whole wheat flour with all-purpose flour, but whole wheat adds a nuttier flavor and more fiber.
- Ensure cookies are completely cool before frosting to prevent melting.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for extended freshness.
- To make the frosting thicker, chill it briefly before drizzling.
- Use canned or homemade pumpkin puree; avoid pumpkin pie filling with added spices and sugars.
