Pumpkin Sugar Cookies 🎃🍪🍬 Soft, Sweet, and Perfectly Spiced for Fall

These pumpkin sugar cookies are tender, buttery, and lightly spiced, with just enough pumpkin flavor to make them extra special. They’re perfect plain, decorated with royal icing, or topped with a simple glaze for a festive touch.

Ingredients (Makes about 24 cookies)

For the cookies

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup brown sugar, packed
• ⅓ cup pumpkin purée (not pumpkin pie filling)
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground ginger
• ¼ tsp nutmeg
• Pinch of cloves (optional)

For the 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 sugars

In a large bowl, beat butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in pumpkin purée, egg, and vanilla 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 and shape

Gradually stir dry ingredients into wet ingredients until just combined. Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll into balls. Place on baking sheets about 2 inches apart.

Step 5: Flatten and bake

Gently flatten each cookie with the bottom of a glass or your palm. Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until edges are set and bottoms are lightly golden.

Step 6: Glaze (optional)

If glazing, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Drizzle or spread over cooled cookies.

Flavor Variations

• Add a hint of maple extract to the glaze for a maple-pumpkin twist
• Roll dough balls in cinnamon sugar before baking for extra flavor
• Top with festive sprinkles before baking for holiday flair
• Swap glaze for cream cheese frosting for a richer cookie

Pro Tips

• Pat pumpkin purée with paper towels to remove excess moisture for a less cakey texture
• For softer cookies, avoid overbaking — they should look just set when you pull them from the oven
• Let cookies cool completely before glazing to avoid melting the topping
• Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer freshness

Final Thoughts

Pumpkin Sugar Cookies are soft, spiced, and endlessly versatile — perfect for decorating, gifting, or enjoying with a hot drink. They bring just the right touch of pumpkin to a classic favorite.

Mix it. Bake it. Sweeten your fall with 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.

• 🥄 Pumpkin Pie Spice Mix – Homemade spice blend for all your pumpkin treats.
• 🌰 Pumpkin Seeds Recipe – Crunchy, roasted snack with endless seasoning options.
• 🥥 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.
• 🍞 Pumpkin Bread – Classic, moist pumpkin loaf.

🥧 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.
• 🔥 Brûléed Pumpkin Pie – Caramelized sugar topping for extra flair.
• 🍫 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.
• 🥜 Peanut Butter Pumpkin Pie – Nutty, sweet fusion.

🍮 Pumpkin Puddings & Custards

See All Pudding & Custard Recipes → – Creamy, smooth pumpkin desserts.

• 🍮 Pumpkin Pudding – Simple and silky.
• 🍞 Pumpkin Bread Pudding – Cozy, custardy comfort food.
• 🥤 Pumpkin Pie Smoothie – Drinkable pie in a glass.
• 🍨 Pumpkin Mousse – Light and airy.
• 🍮 Pumpkin Custard – Creamy baked goodness.
• 🥧 Pumpkin Pie Dip – Perfect for fruit or cookies.
• 🌱 Pumpkin Chia Pudding – Healthy and satisfying.
• 🔥 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.
• 🥄 Pumpkin Spice Muffins – Warmly spiced and fluffy.
• 🍥 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.
• 🍮 Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake – Beautiful marbled presentation.
• 🧁 Mini Pumpkin Cheesecake Bites – Bite-sized indulgence.
• 🍫 Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars – Creamy cheesecake in bar form.
• 🍪 Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies – Cookie and cheesecake fusion.
• 🌰 Pumpkin Pecan Cheesecake – Nutty crunch with creamy filling.
• 🍫 Chocolate Pumpkin Cheesecake – Deep chocolate meets pumpkin spice.

🍪 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.
• 🌾 Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies – Hearty and wholesome.
• 🍯 Frosted Pumpkin Cookies – Sweet icing on top.
• 🌀 Pumpkin Snickerdoodles – Cinnamon-sugar perfection.
• 🍪 Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies – Cookies with cheesecake swirls.
• 🍬 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.
• 🥧 Pumpkin Pie Bars – All the pie flavor, easier to serve.
• 🍥 Cream Cheese Pumpkin Bars – Tangy cream cheese layer.
• 🍫 Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars – Cheesecake and pumpkin bar fusion.

🧁 Pumpkin Muffin

See All Pumpkin Muffin Recipes → – Soft, warm, and full of spice.

• 🧁 Pumpkin Muffins – Classic, moist muffins.
• 🍯 Pumpkin Streusel Muffins – Sweet, crunchy topping.
• 🍫 Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins – Chocolate in every bite.
• 🍥 Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins – Creamy surprise inside.
• 🥄 Pumpkin Spice Muffins – Boldly spiced and fluffy.

🍰 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.
• 🌀 Pumpkin Roll Cake – Rolled with cream cheese filling.
• 🎂 Pumpkin Layer Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting – Impressive centerpiece dessert.
• 🍩 Pumpkin Bundt Cake – Pretty and perfect for glazing.
• ☕ Pumpkin Coffee Cake – Crumb topping for brunch vibes.
• 🍯 Pumpkin Crunch Cake – Sweet, buttery topping with crunch.