Pumpkin Spice Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
These Pumpkin Spice Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting are soft, tender, and bursting with warm autumn flavors. Made with pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice, these cookies are perfectly complemented by a creamy vanilla-infused cream cheese frosting. Ideal for fall gatherings or cozy treats, they offer a delightful balance of sweet and spice in every bite.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Total Time: 43 minutes
- Yield: 12-14 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/3 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 cup white sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- Cinnamon (for sprinkling)
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) to ensure it reaches the right temperature while you prepare the dough.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the melted butter, pumpkin puree, white sugar, egg, and vanilla extract. Stir until the mixture is smooth and fully integrated.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, and salt to the wet mixture. Stir thoroughly until a cookie dough forms and all flour is incorporated.
- Chill Dough: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough for 25 minutes. This helps in handling and prevents spreading while baking.
- Shape Cookies: Remove the dough from the refrigerator and roll it into balls sized about 1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons. Place each ball on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spacing them evenly. This recipe yields 12-14 cookies.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 18 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers are set.
- Make Frosting: While the cookies bake, use an electric mixer to beat the softened cream cheese and butter together in a medium bowl until smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, beating until creamy. Refrigerate the frosting until ready to use.
- Cool and Frost: Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool completely on a wire rack. Once cooled, spread approximately one tablespoon of cream cheese frosting on each cookie. Sprinkle a little extra pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon on top for extra flavor.
- Serve and Enjoy: Your delicious pumpkin spice sugar cookies with cream cheese frosting are ready to be enjoyed. Perfect with a cup of tea or coffee!
Notes
- Ensure the cream cheese and butter are softened to room temperature before making the frosting for a smooth texture.
- For stronger pumpkin flavor, try increasing the pumpkin pie spice slightly, but be careful not to overpower the cookie.
- Store cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days to maintain freshness and frosting texture.
- Cookies can be frozen before frosting. Thaw completely before spreading the frosting.
- Use parchment paper on the baking sheet to prevent sticking and aid cleanup.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie with frosting
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
Keywords: pumpkin spice cookies, sugar cookies, cream cheese frosting, fall cookies, autumn dessert, pumpkin puree cookies, holiday treats
