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Pumpkin Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Pumpkin Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
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★★★★★

4.9 from 9 reviews

These Pumpkin Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting are a delightful seasonal treat combining soft, spiced pumpkin-flavored cookies with a rich and creamy frosting. Perfect for autumn celebrations or cozy afternoons, they balance warm spices with a smooth cream cheese topping for an irresistible dessert.

Ingredients

Scale

Cookie Dough

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup pumpkin puree (100% pure, not pie filling)
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/8 tsp ground cloves

Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to ensure cookies bake evenly and don’t stick.
  2. Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes. This step is crucial to achieve a tender cookie texture.
  3. Add Wet Ingredients: Mix in the pumpkin puree, egg yolk, and vanilla extract until fully combined. The pumpkin adds moisture and autumn flavor to the dough.
  4. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and ground cloves. These spices infuse the cookies with their warm, seasonal taste.
  5. Mix Dry into Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients. Stir until just combined to prevent overmixing, which can make the cookies tough.
  6. Shape Cookies: Using a tablespoon or cookie scoop, portion the dough evenly onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving space between each for spreading.
  7. Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are set and tops appear dry. Avoid overbaking to keep the cookies soft.
  8. Cool Cookies: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents breakage when moving them.
  9. Make Frosting: While cookies cool, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Then add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Beat until fluffy and smooth. Adjust consistency by adding more powdered sugar if needed.
  10. Frost and Serve: Once cookies are fully cooled, frost them using a spoon or piping bag. Serve immediately or store for later enjoyment.

Notes

  • Use 100% pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling, to control sweetness and flavor.
  • Ensure cookies are completely cooled before frosting to prevent frosting from melting.
  • Cookies remain soft for up to 3 days when stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
  • Unfrosted cookies can be frozen for up to 2 months, making them perfect for make-ahead treats.
  • For added texture and flavor, consider mixing in white chocolate chips or crushed pecans before baking.

Nutrition

Keywords: pumpkin sugar cookies, cream cheese frosting, fall cookies, pumpkin spice cookies, seasonal desserts

Find it online: https://islawhite.com/pumpkin-sugar-cookies-with-cream-cheese-frosting-recipe/