Classic Soft Pumpkin Cookies 🎃🍪🍂 Fluffy, Spiced, and Perfectly Tender Every Time
These soft pumpkin cookies are light, cake-like, and full of cozy fall flavor. They’re easy to make, stay moist for days, and are just sweet enough to enjoy on their own or with a light glaze.
Ingredients (Makes about 24 cookies)
For the cookies
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup pumpkin purée (not pumpkin pie filling)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1½ tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground ginger
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- Pinch of cloves (optional)
Optional glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tbsp milk or cream
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Step 1: Preheat oven
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Step 2: Cream butter and sugar
In a large bowl, beat butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg, pumpkin purée, and vanilla; mix until smooth.
Step 3: Combine dry ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves.
Step 4: Mix the dough
Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined — do not overmix.
Step 5: Scoop and bake
Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto prepared baking sheets, spacing about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until cookies are set and lightly golden on the bottom.
Step 6: Glaze (optional)
If glazing, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Drizzle or spread over cooled cookies.
Flavor Variations
- Add chocolate chips or white chocolate chips for extra sweetness
- Mix in chopped pecans or walnuts for crunch
- Swap the glaze for cream cheese frosting for a richer finish
- Sprinkle cinnamon sugar on top before baking for a light crust
Pro Tips
- For the fluffiest texture, don’t overmix the dough once dry ingredients are added
- Use a cookie scoop for evenly sized cookies
- Store in an airtight container to keep them soft for up to 5 days
- Let cookies cool completely before glazing to avoid melting the topping
Final Thoughts
Classic Soft Pumpkin Cookies are the ultimate cozy fall bake — tender, spiced, and endlessly snackable. Whether you enjoy them plain, glazed, or frosted, they’re a seasonal staple worth making on repeat.
Mix it. Bake it. Bite into pumpkin perfection. 🎃🍪🍂
🎃 All-Purpose Pumpkin Recipes 🎃
Fall in love with pumpkin all over again! From cozy pies and muffins to cheesecakes, cookies, and savory twists, this collection covers every craving. Whether you’re baking for the holidays or just want a taste of autumn, you’ll find the perfect recipe here.
Explore All Pumpkin Recipes → – Savory and sweet ways to enjoy pumpkin in every meal.
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- 🥥 Pumpkin Soup with Coconut Milk – Creamy, lightly sweetened fall soup.
- 🥞 Pumpkin Pancakes – Fluffy and warmly spiced breakfast favorite.
- 🍝 Pumpkin Pasta Sauce – Savory-sweet sauce perfect for fall pasta dishes.
- 🧁 Pumpkin Muffins – Soft, moist muffins for a cozy snack.
- 🌶️ Pumpkin Chili – Hearty, savory chili with a pumpkin twist.
- 🥙 Pumpkin Hummus – Creamy dip with seasonal flavor.
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🥧 Classic Pumpkin Pies
See All Classic Pumpkin Pies → – Timeless pies for Thanksgiving and beyond.
- 🥧 Traditional Pumpkin Pie – The holiday classic.
- 🥛 Dairy-Free Pumpkin Pie – All the flavor, no dairy.
- 🍁 Maple Pumpkin Pie – Sweetened with pure maple syrup.
- 🥟 Mini Pumpkin Pies – Perfect for parties and portion control.
- 🌾 Gluten-Free Pumpkin Pie – Delicious and celiac-friendly.
- 🍫 Chocolate Swirl Pumpkin Pie – Rich chocolate meets creamy pumpkin.
- ❄️ No-Bake Pumpkin Pie – Easy, oven-free dessert.
🍨 Creative Pumpkin Pies
See All Creative Pumpkin Pies → – Unique flavor twists on the classic.
- 🍰 Pumpkin Cheesecake Pie – Creamy cheesecake meets pumpkin pie.
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- 🍫 Chocolate Ganache Pumpkin Pie – Decadent and rich.
- 🥥 Coconut Pumpkin Pie – Tropical, creamy twist.
- 🍮 No-Bake Pumpkin Mousse Pie – Light, fluffy, and no oven needed.
- 🌰 Pecan Streusel Pumpkin Pie – Sweet and crunchy topping.
- 🍦 Pumpkin Ice Cream Pie – Cold, creamy holiday treat.
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🍮 Pumpkin Puddings & Custards
See All Pudding & Custard Recipes → – Creamy, smooth pumpkin desserts.
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- 🍨 Pumpkin Mousse – Light and airy.
- 🍮 Pumpkin Custard – Creamy baked goodness.
- 🥧 Pumpkin Pie Dip – Perfect for fruit or cookies.
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- 🔥 Pumpkin Crème Brûlée – Fancy caramelized dessert.
🍞 Pumpkin Breads, Cupcakes & Scones
See All Bread, Cupcake & Scone Recipes → – Bakery-worthy fall treats.
- 🍞 Pumpkin Bread – Moist and spiced.
- 🍫 Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread – Sweet chocolate in every bite.
- 🧁 Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting – Classic fall cupcakes.
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- 🍥 Pumpkin Cream Cheese Swirl Bread – Creamy ribbon through moist bread.
- 🍯 Pumpkin Streusel Muffins – Crunchy topping perfection.
- 🍪 Pumpkin Scones with Maple Glaze – Bakery-style treat.
- 🍩 Glazed Pumpkin Donuts – Soft baked donuts with glaze.
🍰 Pumpkin Cheesecakes
See All Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipes → – Creamy cheesecake with pumpkin spice magic.
- 🍰 Pumpkin Cheesecake Pie – Hybrid of cheesecake and classic pie.
- ❄️ No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake – Creamy and oven-free.
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- 🧁 Mini Pumpkin Cheesecake Bites – Bite-sized indulgence.
- 🍫 Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars – Creamy cheesecake in bar form.
- 🍪 Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies – Cookie and cheesecake fusion.
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🍪 Pumpkin Cookies
See All Pumpkin Cookie Recipes → – Soft, chewy, and perfect for fall.
- 🍪 Classic Soft Pumpkin Cookies – Fluffy and spiced.
- 🍫 Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies – Classic combo of sweet and spice.
- 🌰 Chewy Pumpkin Molasses Cookies – Deeply flavored and chewy.
- 🍥 Pumpkin Cream Cheese Sandwich Cookies – Creamy filling between soft cookies.
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- 🍯 Frosted Pumpkin Cookies – Sweet icing on top.
- 🌀 Pumpkin Snickerdoodles – Cinnamon-sugar perfection.
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- 🍬 Pumpkin Sugar Cookies – Soft and sweet cut-out style.
📏 Pumpkin Bars
See All Pumpkin Bar Recipes → – Shareable pumpkin squares for any gathering.
- 📏 Pumpkin Bars – Classic pumpkin dessert bars.
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🧁 Pumpkin Muffin
See All Pumpkin Muffin Recipes → – Soft, warm, and full of spice.
- 🧁 Pumpkin Muffins – Classic, moist muffins.
- 🍯 Pumpkin Streusel Muffins – Sweet, crunchy topping.
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🍰 Pumpkin Cakes
See All Pumpkin Cake Recipes → – From simple loaves to layered showstoppers.
- 🍰 Pumpkin Cake – Simple and spiced.
- 🥄 Pumpkin Spice Cake – Extra spice for extra flavor.
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- 🎂 Pumpkin Layer Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting – Impressive centerpiece dessert.
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