Oh, fall baking! It’s my absolute favorite time of year, and these Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting for Halloween, Thanksgiving are basically my signature. Seriously, the moment the leaves start to turn, I’m already dreaming about that perfect, melt-in-your-mouth texture and that zesty cream cheese frosting. Forget those dry, crumbly cookies; these are pure, spiced, pillowy goodness. They’re just begging to be piled high on a platter for all your autumn gatherings, from spooky Halloween parties to cozy Thanksgiving dinners.
Why You’ll Love These Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting for Halloween, Thanksgiving
Trust me, these cookies are a total winner for so many reasons:
- Incredibly Soft Texture: They’re like little clouds of pumpkin spice!
- Perfect Spice & Sweetness Balance: Not too sweet, with just the right kick of cinnamon and nutmeg.
- Festive Appeal: They look and taste like fall, making them perfect for Halloween and Thanksgiving.
- Easy to Make: Even if you’re a beginner baker, you’ll nail these.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Seriously, everyone devours them!
You really can’t go wrong with these Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting for Halloween, Thanksgiving.
Essential Ingredients for Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting for Halloween, Thanksgiving
Alright, to get these amazing Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting for Halloween, Thanksgiving just right, you’ll want to gather up these goodies. Using good quality ingredients really makes a difference, you know? It’s like the difference between a regular Tuesday and a full-on fall celebration!
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 cup (that’s 2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar – make sure it’s nice and soft!
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin puree – and this is important, make sure it’s NOT pumpkin pie filling!
- For the Frosting:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2-4 tablespoons milk
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Your Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting for Halloween, Thanksgiving
Okay, a quick word on a couple of these for your Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting for Halloween, Thanksgiving. That pumpkin puree? It’s crucial! It gives us that lovely pumpkin flavor and moisture without the added sugar and spices you find in pie filling, which would totally mess up the flavor balance. If you’re looking for a gluten-free option, a good 1-to-1 gluten-free baking blend usually works just fine for the flour. And for the frosting, if you’re dairy-free, you could try a dairy-free cream cheese and butter substitute, though the texture might change a tiny bit. You can also totally adjust the spices to your liking – maybe a bit more cinnamon if you’re a big fan!
Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting for Halloween, Thanksgiving
Alright, let’s get baking! Making these Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting for Halloween, Thanksgiving is really straightforward. Just follow along, and you’ll have the most amazing fall cookies ever.
- First things first, get that oven preheating to 350°F (175°C). While it’s warming up, line a couple of baking sheets with parchment paper. This makes cleanup a breeze and stops the cookies from sticking!
- In a medium bowl, whisk together your flour, baking soda, salt, and all those cozy spices – cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Whisking them together now makes sure they’re evenly distributed in the dough, so you get that perfect spice in every bite.
- Now for the fun part! In a big bowl, cream together your softened butter, granulated sugar, and that lovely packed brown sugar. You want to beat them until they’re super light and fluffy. This step is key for that soft texture!
- Next, beat in that large egg and the vanilla extract until everything is nicely combined.
- Time for the star of the show: the pumpkin puree! Add the whole can to your wet ingredients and mix it all up until it’s just combined. It’ll look a little wet, and that’s totally okay.
- Now, gradually add your dry ingredients to the wet ones. Mix them until they are *just* combined. Seriously, don’t overmix! Overmixing can make your cookies tough, and we want them super soft. A few streaks of flour are fine.
- Grab a tablespoon (or a cookie scoop if you have one!) and drop rounded spoonfuls of dough onto your prepared baking sheets. Make sure to leave about 2 inches between them because they will spread a little.
- Bake these little gems for about 10 to 12 minutes. You’re looking for the edges to be just lightly golden. The centers should still look a little soft – that’s the secret to their amazing texture!
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes. This helps them set up a bit. Then, carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. You *must* let them cool completely before frosting, or you’ll have a melty mess!
- While the cookies are cooling, let’s whip up that yummy cream cheese frosting. In a bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and the softened butter until it’s super smooth and creamy. No lumps allowed!
- Gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract to the cream cheese mixture. Mix it up until it’s all combined and looks lovely and thick.
- Now, add the milk, just one tablespoon at a time. Keep mixing until the frosting reaches your perfect consistency. You want it thick enough to hold its shape but still spreadable.
- Once your Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting for Halloween, Thanksgiving are totally cool, it’s time to frost them! Spread or pipe that glorious frosting on top.
Baking the Perfect Soft Pumpkin Cookies
When you’re baking these Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting for Halloween, Thanksgiving, keep an eye on them. You want those edges to be just kissed with golden brown, but the centers should still look soft and maybe a tiny bit underdone. That’s exactly what you’re going for! Letting them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes after they come out of the oven is super important; it lets them firm up just enough so they don’t fall apart when you move them to the wire rack to cool completely. Patience here pays off!
Crafting the Cream Cheese Frosting
For the cream cheese frosting on your Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting for Halloween, Thanksgiving, the key is really soft cream cheese and butter. Make sure they’re at room temperature so they blend easily into a smooth, luscious frosting. Adding the powdered sugar gradually helps prevent a big cloud of sugar dust! And remember, add milk slowly – you can always add more, but you can’t take it away, so aim for that perfect, spreadable creamy texture.
Tips for Achieving the Best Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting for Halloween, Thanksgiving
To make sure your Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting for Halloween, Thanksgiving turn out absolutely perfect every single time, a few little things really help. First off, that butter and cream cheese for both the cookies and the frosting? They absolutely *have* to be softened. I mean, truly softened, so you can easily press your finger into them, but not melted! This is super important for getting that light, fluffy texture we talked about. Using room temperature ingredients in general, like the egg and pumpkin puree, also helps everything blend together beautifully without any weird lumps.
Once they’re frosted, store your Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting for Halloween, Thanksgiving in an airtight container. They’ll stay nice and soft for a few days. If you want to get extra festive, especially for Halloween, after you frost them, sprinkle some orange and black edible sprinkles over the top. It’s such a simple touch but makes them look super festive and fun!
Frequently Asked Questions about Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting for Halloween, Thanksgiving
Got questions about whipping up these amazing Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting for Halloween, Thanksgiving? I’ve got you covered!
Q: Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
A: You sure can! You can make the cookie dough a day in advance and keep it covered in the fridge. Just let it sit out for about 15-20 minutes to soften slightly before scooping. For the frosting, it’s best made closer to when you plan to frost the cookies, but it can also be made a day ahead and stored in the fridge. Just give it a good stir before using.
Q: How do I store leftover Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting for Halloween, Thanksgiving?
A: Store your frosted cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If your kitchen is very warm, or if you’ve added any extra dairy like a splash of milk to the frosting, you might want to pop them in the fridge. They’ll stay wonderfully soft!
Q: Can I use pumpkin pie filling instead of pumpkin puree?
A: Oh, please don’t! This is a super common mistake, but it really affects the cookies. Pumpkin puree is just plain pumpkin, giving us that perfect, subtle pumpkin flavor and moisture. Pumpkin pie filling has added sugar, spices, and often thickeners, which would make your Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting for Halloween, Thanksgiving taste way too sweet and have a totally different texture. Stick to the puree for the best results!
Q: Are these good for Halloween treats or Thanksgiving dessert?
A: Absolutely! These are ideal fall dessert ideas. Their warm spice and soft texture are perfect for cozy Thanksgiving gatherings, and with a few orange and black sprinkles, they become super cute Halloween treats. Everyone loves them!
Serving and Storing Your Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting for Halloween, Thanksgiving
These Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting for Halloween, Thanksgiving are just divine served with a warm mug of apple cider or a pumpkin spice latte – they really capture that cozy fall feeling! They’re perfect for a casual get-together or as part of a larger dessert spread for your holiday celebrations. Once they’re all frosted and looking pretty, you’ll want to store them in an airtight container. This is key to keeping them wonderfully soft and fresh for a few days. Honestly, they’re usually gone within a day or two, but if you happen to have any leftovers, they’ll stay delicious at room temperature for about 3 days. Enjoy every last crumb!
Estimated Nutritional Information for Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting for Halloween, Thanksgiving
Just a heads-up, the nutritional info for these Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting for Halloween, Thanksgiving is an estimate, you know? It can totally change depending on the brands you use and exact measurements. But here’s a general idea per cookie:
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: Approx. 250
- Sugar: Approx. 25g
- Sodium: Approx. 100mg
- Fat: Approx. 15g
- Protein: Approx. 2g
- Carbohydrates: Approx. 30g
Amazing Soft Pumpkin Cookies 2 Ways Now
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Deliciously soft pumpkin cookies topped with a sweet and tangy cream cheese frosting, perfect for autumn holidays.
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin puree
- For the Frosting:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2–4 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the egg and vanilla extract.
- Add the pumpkin puree and mix until well combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. The centers should still be soft.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- While the cookies cool, prepare the frosting. In a bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing until combined.
- Add milk, one tablespoon at a time, until the frosting reaches your desired consistency.
- Once the cookies are completely cool, frost them with the cream cheese frosting.
Notes
- Ensure your butter and cream cheese are truly softened for the best texture in both the cookies and the frosting.
- For a festive touch, you can add orange and black sprinkles after frosting.
- Store frosted cookies in an airtight container.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: Approximately 250
- Sugar: Approximately 25g
- Sodium: Approximately 100mg
- Fat: Approximately 15g
- Saturated Fat: Approximately 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: Approximately 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: Approximately 30g
- Fiber: Approximately 1g
- Protein: Approximately 2g
- Cholesterol: Approximately 45mg
Keywords: pumpkin cookies, cream cheese frosting, Halloween, Thanksgiving, fall baking, soft cookies, spiced cookies