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 Cookies

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🧁 Pumpkin Muffin

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