Moist Pumpkin Cookies Recipe With Cream Cheese Frosting
This recipe is foolproof – and just happens to be my all-time favorite cookie recipe!
I tend to go overboard with pumpkin-based recipes this time of the year. But really, can you blame me?
Pumpkin is cheap, nutrient-rich, and great in both sweet and savory dishes. Pumpkin season comes just once a year, so I try to take full advantage of it.
The puree of just one pumpkin has already been used in three separate dishes:
- Pumpkin hummus
- Pumpkin pie
- These pumpkin cookies
And I still have another bag frozen for future use.
About The Recipe: Moist Pumpkin Cookies With Cream Cheese Frosting
These pumpkin cookies are super moist. I might go so far as to say that these are the most moist cookies I’ve ever eaten.
Combined with the cream cheese frosting, they just melt in your mouth. And they’re super easy to make. The dough took less than five minutes to mix up. I find these cookies are best if just underbaked so the middle is just set and still really moist. I found 10 minutes in my oven to be perfect – but your oven bake time may be slightly different.
The Consistency Of The Dough
If the dough feels tacky to you, don’t worry. This is a most unfussy recipe. Just remember that however you place the dough on the baking sheet is how the cookie will end up looking. These cookies barely change shape through the baking process.
I hope you enjoy these cookies as much as I have over the years. This is one recipe that I have made over and over again! And it’s a true reader favorite.
How To Make Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese Frosting
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For the latest batch of these cookies (above), I made a pumpkin spice cream cheese frosting. I might like it better than the original – the spices and pumpkin puree add more flavor and seasonal goodness to these cookies.
You can follow the basic cream cheese frosting recipe below, or use this pumpkin spice cream cheese frosting recipe:
- 3 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin spice blend (or cinnamon, in a pinch)
- 2+ cups powdered sugar (add more if the frosting is too runny for your liking)
Combine cream cheese and pumpkin puree, and mix until smooth. Add pumpkin spice and powdered sugar. Mix together until smooth, adding more powdered sugar if the frosting is too runny.
Can These Cookies Be Made Gluten Free?
Yes! I made a batch of these moist pumpkin cookies with gluten free flour (Divided Sunset brand, found at Walmart) and they turned out remarkably well. They tasted almost exactly like the originals.
This is one cookie recipe that tastes equally good if made gluten free. See photo below:
More Cheap Pumpkin Recipes
- 3-ingredient pumpkin oat clusters
- Pumpkin mug cake made in the microwave (gluten-free)
- Pumpkin spice dessert pizza
- Pumpkin chocolate chip cookies
- Pumpkin compote (Brazilian doce de abobora)
Moist Pumpkin Cookies With Cream Cheese Frosting
There are no eggs in this recipe. These cookies tend to fall apart if underbaked. I found my bake-time sweet-spot at about 10 minutes.
Please note: In the top photo, I used a teaspoon-sized amount of dough, and in the other photos I used a tablespoon-sized amount of dough. Baking time will be less for smaller cookies.
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup pumpkin puree (or canned pumpkin)
- 1/2 cup softened butter
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For cream cheese frosting
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon half-and-half or whole milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- Mix together sugar, pumpkin and softened butter. Combine dry ingredients and mix into the butter mixture. Chill dough for 20 minutes before baking. Drop dough by tablespoons onto baking sheet. Bake at 375F for 8 to 10 minutes.
- For frosting, combine all ingredients and mix until smooth. Frost cookies when cooled. Top with pecan or walnut pieces, if desired.
The Kid's Fun Review
Yum, that looks incredible! Will definitely be trying the pumpkin puree and making pumpkin cookies! I am excited…
These were great! Love the flavors of fall.
I made these this morning and they are quite possibly the tastiest cookies I’ve ever made! Nice and cake-like, very soft, not too sweet. LOVELY:)
I made these for Thanksgiving and they were amazing! I had no cream cheese… So I went off script and made an orange-cranberry glaze… And everyone loved them!
Thanks for sharing the recipe! Linda following also.
Come share at my party if you like….
https://www.craftsalamode.com/2013/10/what-to-do-weekends-40.html