As the fall season approaches, it’s time to enjoy the flavors that come with it, and what better way to do that than with pumpkin spice cookies and cream cheese frosting? This recipe is a perfect blend of sweet and spicy, making it a must-try for anyone who loves fall treats. With simple ingredients and easy instructions, you can create a delicious dessert that will impress your family and friends. So, let’s get started!
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
- 8 oz cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves.
- In a large bowl, cream together butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Mix in egg and vanilla extract.
- Mix in pumpkin puree until well combined.
- Mix in dry ingredients until just combined.
- Drop dough by tablespoons onto prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 12-14 minutes or until edges are lightly browned and centers are set.
- Remove from oven and let cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- While cookies are cooling, prepare the cream cheese frosting.
- In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy.
- Mix in powdered sugar and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Spread frosting on cooled cookies and enjoy!
Nutritional Information:
Serving Size: 1 cookie with frosting
Calories: 230
Total Fat: 11g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Cholesterol: 40mg
Sodium: 125mg
Total Carbohydrates: 32g
Dietary Fiber: 0g
Sugar: 25g
Protein: 2g
Cooking Time:
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 12-14 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Equipment:
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Mixer
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper
- Wire rack
Serving Suggestions:
Pumpkin spice cookies with cream cheese frosting are perfect for fall parties, Thanksgiving dessert, or just a cozy night in. Serve with a hot cup of tea or coffee for the ultimate treat.
Variations:
You can add chopped pecans or walnuts to the cookie dough for an extra crunch. You can also sprinkle cinnamon or pumpkin spice on top of the frosting for a decorative touch.
Substitutions:
If you don’t have pumpkin puree, you can use mashed sweet potato or butternut squash. You can also use margarine instead of butter in both the cookie dough and frosting.
Storage:
Store cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can also freeze the cookies for up to 3 months.
Tips:
- Make sure your butter, cream cheese, and eggs are at room temperature for the best texture.
- Don’t overmix the cookie dough, or your cookies may turn out tough.
- Let cookies cool completely before adding frosting.
- For a spicier cookie, add more cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, or cloves to the dough.
Notes:
This recipe makes about 24 cookies.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I use pumpkin pie filling instead of pumpkin puree?
No, pumpkin pie filling already has sweeteners and spices added to it, which will affect the flavor and texture of the cookies.
Can I use salted butter?
You can, but you may want to reduce the amount of salt in the recipe to compensate for the salt in the butter.
Can I make the frosting ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the frosting up to 2 days ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator. Let it come to room temperature before spreading on the cookies.
Personal Thoughts:
Pumpkin spice cookies with cream cheese frosting are one of my favorite fall treats, and this recipe did not disappoint. The cookies were soft and chewy, with just the right amount of spice, and the cream cheese frosting was creamy and tangy. I loved how easy this recipe was to make, and I will definitely be making it again. I encourage everyone to give it a try!