At my house, we have a couple of cookie monsters. I have to admit to being one of them! I absolutely love good homemade cookies. When I heard about the book, COOKIES FOR GROWN-UPS (affiliate link), by Kelly Cooper, Red Rock Press, I was intrigued. When I saw the recipe for Pumpkin-Seed Spice Cookies, I was sold! Hello to the perfect fall cookie! I just the love the cream cheese frosting on top of this pumpkin spice cookies recipe- yummy and pretty! Thanks so much to Red Rock Press for allowing me to reprint this recipe here. If you love cookies like I do- you may want to check out the whole book!
Pumpkin spice cookies are a delightful treat, especially during the fall season. Pumpkin spice is often linked to traditional holiday recipes, such as pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving. The familiarity and association with special occasions contribute to its popularity. These pumpkin spice cookies are sure to be a hit with their warm and comforting flavors. The combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and sometimes allspice creates a fragrant and warming aroma. The scent alone can evoke positive feelings and a sense of comfort.
Pumpkin Spice Cookies Recipe With Cream Cheese Frosting:
AUTUMN COOKIES: Pumpkin-Seed Spice Cookie Recipe With Cream Cheese Frosting
Cookies made with pumpkin, pumpkin seed (pepita), spice and cream cheese!
Pairing: Pinot Noir
Yields about 4 dozen Pumpkin-Seed Spice Cookies.
Pumpkin Spice Cookie Recipe Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup light brown sugar, packed
- one large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup cooked pumpkin, pureéd
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole pumpkin seeds (unsalted or lightly salted, roasted or raw),
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
INGREDIENTS FOR FROSTING AND DECORATION
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons unsalted
- butter, softened
- 1 cup confectioners’ sugar, sifted
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon milk or heavy cream
- ¼ cup pumpkin seeds, whole
Why and how to soften butter before making cookies
Softening butter before making cookies is important because it affects both the texture of your dough and how your cookies bake. Here’s why and how:
Why soften butter for cookies:
- Creaming properly: Many cookie recipes start with “creaming” butter and sugar together. Softened butter traps air as it’s beaten, creating a light, fluffy mixture that gives cookies their tender texture.
- Even mixing: Soft butter blends more easily with sugar, eggs, and flour, ensuring an even dough.
- Controlled spread: If butter is too cold, cookies may not spread enough; if it’s melted, they may spread too much. Softened butter helps cookies bake evenly with the right balance of chewiness and crisp edges.
How to soften butter (but not melt it):
- Room temperature method (best): Take butter out of the fridge 1–2 hours before baking. It should be soft enough to press with your finger but not greasy or melted.
- Cut into cubes: Cut cold butter into small pieces and let them sit out—this speeds up softening.
- Microwave shortcut: Place butter in the microwave for a few seconds at a time on low power. Rotate often so it softens without melting.
- Warm glass trick: Fill a glass with hot water, empty it, then place the warm glass upside down over the butter stick for a few minutes.
- Grating method: Grate cold butter with a box grater—it will soften quickly at room temperature.
Quick test: Butter is properly softened if you can press it with your finger and leave an indentation, but it still holds its shape.
How To Make The Best Pumpkin Spice Cookies:
While the COOKIES for GROWN-UPS cookbook offers three different spice combinations that can be used- Traditional American Thanksgiving, Mexican empanada, and Indian curry, I have shared their Traditional American Thanksgiving Pumpkin-Seed Spice Cookie Recipe with you here.
1. Preheat oven to 350° F. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, cream together butter and sugars until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Mix in egg, vanilla and pumpkin pureé. Beat wet ingredients until well blended.
2. Whisk together the dry ingredients (flour, pumpkin seeds, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices) in a small bowl and add to butter mixture. Beat until just incorporated.
3. Scoop or drop dough by 1 teaspoon portions and place 1 inch apart on a parchment paper-lined or nonstick baking sheet. Bake for 12-13 minutes or until bottoms are golden brown. Let sit for a few minutes and transfer to a cooling wire rack.
4. To make frosting: In a separate bowl, mix together cream cheese and butter, then add confectioners’ sugar, vanilla and milk or cream and mix to a creamy frosting consistency, adding a touch more milk as needed. Frost cookies. Decorate the tops of the cookies with a flower of pumpkin seeds and, if desired, sprinkle with curry powder or cinnamon.
I hope you enjoy this pumpkin spice cookies recipe. I think it is sure to be a hit at holiday potluck parties! The blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves creates a harmonious balance of sweet and spicy flavors. Such lovely warm spices! They are basically like fancy pumpkin snickerdoodles with delicious cream cheese frosting. Store extras in an airtight container.
Printable Pumpkin Spice Cookie Recipe Card:
Pumpkin-Seed Spice Cookie Recipe
I just the love cream cheese frosting on top of these pumpkin spice cookies- yummy and pretty!
Ingredients
- For cookies:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup cooked pumpkin, pureéd
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole pumpkin seeds (unsalted or lightly salted, roasted or raw),
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- For Frosting:
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons unsalted
- butter, softened
- 1 cup confectioners’ sugar, sifted
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon milk or heavy cream
- ¼ cup pumpkin seeds, whole
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350° F. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, cream together butter and sugars until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Mix in egg, vanilla and pumpkin pureé. Beat until well blended.
- Whisk together flour, pumpkin seeds, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices in a small bowl. Then add to butter mixture. Beat until just incorporated.
- Scoop or drop dough by 1 teaspoon portions and place 1 inch apart on a parchment-lined or nonstick baking sheet. Bake for 12-13 minutes or until bottoms are golden brown. Let sit for a few minutes and transfer to a cooling rack.
- To make frosting: In a separate bowl, mix together cream cheese and butter, then add confectioners’ sugar, vanilla and milk or cream and mix to a creamy frosting consistency, adding a touch more milk as needed. Frost cookies. Decorate the tops of the cookies with a flower of pumpkin seeds and, if desired, sprinkle with curry powder or cinnamon.
Nutrition Facts
Pumpkin-Seed Spice Cookie Recipe
Serves: 24
| Amount Per Serving: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 181.79 kcal | |
| % Daily Value* | ||
|
Total Fat 13.34 g |
20% | |
| Saturated Fat 6.77 g | 30% | |
| Trans Fat 0.33 g | ||
|
Cholesterol 34.79 mg |
11.3% | |
|
Sodium 88.94 mg |
3.7% | |
|
Total Carbohydrate 14.29 g |
4.7% | |
| Dietary Fiber 0.5 g | 0% | |
| Sugars 13.12 g | ||
|
Protein 2.73 g |
||
| Vitamin A 12.3 % | Vitamin C 0.63 % | |
| Calcium 3.17 % | Iron 4.25 % | |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
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Conclusion
There is an incredible variety of cookie recipes, each offering a unique flavor and texture. These pumpkin spice cookies will steal the show! Ultimately, the popularity of pumpkin spice is a result of its multifaceted appeal, combining seasonal nostalgia, tradition, versatility, and a pleasing flavor profile that resonates with many people. Cookies are baked in batches, so be sure to share with friends, family, and colleagues. The act of sharing cookies can create a sense of community and joy. Happy baking!
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