There is nothing quite as comforting and festive as a batch of freshly baked pumpkin treats, and this Simple Pumpkin Pie Cookies Recipe is just the answer to those cozy cravings. These cookies blend the warm, inviting spices of pumpkin pie with a soft, tender texture, creating little bites of autumn joy that are easy to make and impossible to resist. Whether you are baking for family gatherings or just treating yourself, this recipe brings that comforting, homemade feeling right into your kitchen.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this recipe is simple, yet vital to achieving the perfect balance of flavor, tenderness, and that unmistakable pumpkin pie essence. From the all-purpose flour providing structure to the pumpkin pie spice creating that signature warmth, here’s what you’ll gather:
- 2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour: Gives the cookies their soft and sturdy base without being too dense.
- 1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice: The key to capturing pumpkin pie’s comforting, spicy aroma in cookie form.
- 3 oz cream cheese (room temperature): Adds a subtle tang and creamy texture that keeps these cookies irresistibly moist.
- 6 oz unsalted butter (room temperature): Enhances richness and delivers that tender crumb we all love.
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar: Brings sweetness and helps with the lovely cookie texture.
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar: Adds a deep, caramel note that complements the pumpkin perfectly.
- 1 large egg yolk (room temperature): Boosts richness and helps bind the dough beautifully.
- 1/4 cup pumpkin purée: The star ingredient that infuses the cookies with authentic pumpkin flavor and moisture.
How to Make Simple Pumpkin Pie Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Baking Sheets
Preheat your oven to a warm 350°F (175°C). While it heats, line your baking sheets with parchment paper to ensure the cookies bake evenly and release easily. This small prep step will save you time and cleanup later on!
Step 2: Cream Butter, Cream Cheese, and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter together until the mixture is wonderfully creamy and smooth. Gradually add both granulated and brown sugar, mixing until the texture turns light and fluffy. This part builds the cookie’s tender crumb and rich flavor foundation.
Step 3: Add Egg Yolk and Pumpkin Purée
Incorporate the large egg yolk next, followed by the pumpkin purée, mixing gently but thoroughly. This combination adds moisture and warmth, and sets the flavor palette that makes this recipe uniquely delightful.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients and Mix Dough
In a separate bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, pumpkin pie spice, and a pinch of salt to spread flavor evenly. Gradually blend this dry mix into your wet ingredients until you have a soft, fully combined dough, ready to be shaped into perfect pumpkin pie-inspired cookies.
Step 5: Shape and Coat Cookies
Roll the dough into one-inch balls, which guarantees even baking and perfect portion sizes. For an irresistible crunch and sparkle, coat these balls in coarse sugar before placing them spaced out on your prepared baking sheets.
Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection
Bake your cookies for around 14 minutes, or until their edges turn a lovely, light golden color. Once baked, move them to a cooling rack before you dive in, allowing them to set for the ideal texture — soft center with slightly crisp edges.
How to Serve Simple Pumpkin Pie Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Although these pumpkin pie cookies shine on their own, you can make them even more tempting by dusting a touch of powdered sugar or sprinkling cinnamon sugar right after baking. A light drizzle of melted white chocolate also adds a festive flair and creamy contrast to the spices.
Side Dishes
Pair your cookies with a warm mug of chai tea, spiced latte, or a classic cup of hot apple cider to highlight the autumnal spices. If serving at a gathering, offering homemade whipped cream or cream cheese frosting as a dip elevates these simple treats into a show-stopping dessert experience.
Creative Ways to Present
Presentation is everything when sharing your delightful creation! Arrange the cookies on a rustic wooden board surrounded by mini pumpkins and fall leaves for a perfect centerpiece. You can also sandwich them with a cream cheese filling or roll them in finely chopped nuts for a decorative twist that guests will adore.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your pumpkin pie cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. This keeps them fresh, soft, and flavorful, making them easy to enjoy throughout the week without losing any pumpkin pie essence.
Freezing
Want to prepare ahead? Freeze unbaked dough balls on a baking sheet first, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. When ready to enjoy, bake them straight from frozen, adding a minute or two to the baking time. Alternatively, baked cookies freeze well stored in airtight containers with parchment between layers.
Reheating
To revive frozen or leftover cookies, warm them gently in a low oven (around 300°F) for 5 to 7 minutes. This softens the cookie and brings out the warmth of spices and pumpkin, as if they were freshly baked moments ago.
FAQs
Can I use canned pumpkin purée for this recipe?
Absolutely! Canned pumpkin purée works perfectly in this Simple Pumpkin Pie Cookies Recipe, just be sure it’s pure pumpkin and not pumpkin pie filling to keep the flavor balanced.
What if I don’t have pumpkin pie spice on hand?
You can easily make your own by combining ground cinnamon, ground ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. This blend mimics the spice’s warmth and enhances the cookies beautifully.
Can I substitute the cream cheese?
Cream cheese adds moisture and slight tang, but if you want to skip it, softened butter alone can work, though the texture might be a little less tender.
Are these cookies gluten-free?
This recipe uses all-purpose flour, so it is not gluten-free as is. However, you can experiment with gluten-free flour blends to suit dietary needs, though texture may vary slightly.
How long do the cookies stay fresh?
When stored correctly in an airtight container, these cookies stay fresh for up to 3 days at room temperature, and you can extend their life by freezing.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a crowd-pleasing treat that captures the spirit of fall in every bite, I truly encourage you to try this Simple Pumpkin Pie Cookies Recipe. It’s incredibly easy to make, wonderfully flavorful, and perfect for any occasion that calls for a little extra warmth and sweetness. Happy baking and even happier tasting!
Print
Simple Pumpkin Pie Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Total Time: 29 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight in these Simple Pumpkin Pie Cookies, perfect for bringing the warm, cozy flavors of pumpkin spice into a soft, tender cookie form. These cookies combine creamy cream cheese and pumpkin purée with classic fall spices to create a subtly sweet treat that’s easy to make and ideal for the autumn season or holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice
- 1/2 tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
- 3 oz cream cheese, room temperature
- 6 oz unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 large egg yolk, room temperature
- 1/4 cup pumpkin purée
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Topping
- Coarse sugar for coating dough balls
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare baking sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to ensure cookies bake evenly and do not stick.
- Cream butter and cream cheese: In a mixing bowl, beat together cream cheese and unsalted butter until the mixture is smooth and creamy. This creates a rich, tender base for the cookies.
- Add sugars and mix: Gradually add granulated sugar and brown sugar to the creamed mixture. Beat until the mixture becomes fluffy, incorporating air for lightness.
- Incorporate egg yolk and vanilla: Mix in the egg yolk followed by vanilla extract to bind ingredients and add flavor depth.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, pumpkin pie spice, and salt to evenly distribute the spices and salt throughout the flour.
- Mix dry ingredients into wet: Gradually add the dry ingredient mix into the wet ingredients, stirring gently until fully combined to form a smooth dough.
- Form dough balls and coat: Roll the dough into one-inch balls, then gently coat each ball with coarse sugar to add a crunchy, sweet exterior to the cookies.
- Bake cookies: Place the sugar-coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheets and bake for about 14 minutes or until the edges turn lightly golden.
- Cool and serve: Allow cookies to cool on wire racks before serving to achieve the best texture and flavor experience.
Notes
- Ensure cream cheese and butter are at room temperature for easier mixing and better texture.
- Use fresh pumpkin purée for best flavor; canned pumpkin purée can also be substituted.
- Do not overbake cookies to keep them soft and tender inside.
- Coating with coarse sugar adds a lovely crunch and presentation flair to each cookie.
- These cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
