Soft & Chewy Pumpkin Sugar Cookies with Creamy Cinnamon Buttercream

No need to fuss with rolling pins when you’re craving the quintessential flavors of autumn! These incredibly soft and chewy Pumpkin Sugar Cookies are infused with warming pumpkin spice and generously crowned with a luscious, creamy cinnamon buttercream frosting. Simply scoop, bake, and then let your creativity shine with decoration. They’re the perfect, easy-to-make treat for a cozy fall day.

As soon as the leaves begin to hint at their changing colors and the air gets that crisp, inviting chill, my mind immediately turns to pumpkin. I simply couldn’t let another autumn pass without sharing a delightful pumpkin recipe, and these Pumpkin Sugar Cookies were the first call of the season. Frosted generously with a rich cinnamon buttercream, they embody everything wonderful about fall baking.

These cookies share a delightful softness with my popular chocolate sugar cookies and vibrant orange cookies, but with a distinctly autumnal twist that makes them utterly irresistible. The addition of real pumpkin puree and a blend of warm spices transforms a classic sugar cookie into a seasonal sensation.

I don’t know about you, but I have an undeniable soft spot for decorating sugar cookies, especially with sprinkles! Truth be told, I might just be a sprinkles hoarder. There’s something so joyful about adding a pop of color and texture to a freshly baked treat. Do you prefer the classic, elongated jimmies, or are you a fan of the tiny, crunchy nonpareils? While I admittedly love all sprinkles equally, the traditional kind often win out for their charming appearance.

However, let me be clear: I am by no means a master cookie decorator. My skills extend to simple designs, much like those on my chocolate chip cut-out cookies. You won’t find any award-winning intricate piping here, and that’s perfectly fine! The beauty of these pumpkin sugar cookies is that elaborate decoration isn’t even necessary. The dough is designed for ease – no rolling, no chilling, and no cookie cutters required. Just a simple scoop, and you’re ready to bake!

As they bake, these delightful cookies will spread ever so slightly and puff up beautifully, creating soft, pillowy centers with just a hint of a crispy edge. This unique texture makes them incredibly satisfying. Once they’ve cooled completely, the magic truly happens when you slather them with that creamy cinnamon buttercream, adding an extra layer of spice and indulgence that perfectly complements the pumpkin flavor. These cookies are guaranteed to become a fall favorite in your home.

Essential Ingredients for Perfect Pumpkin Sugar Cookies

Crafting these delectable small-batch pumpkin cookies requires a thoughtful selection of ingredients, each playing a crucial role in achieving their signature soft texture and rich fall flavor. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need and why:

• All-Purpose Flour: This forms the structural foundation of your cookies, binding all the ingredients together into a cohesive dough that’s easy to scoop and prevents them from spreading too much.
• Baking Powder: As a vital leavening agent, baking powder is responsible for giving these cookies their wonderful soft, slightly puffed centers. It reacts with the moisture and heat to create air pockets, resulting in a tender crumb.
• Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Clove, and Ginger: These individual spices are the heart of what we recognize as “pumpkin spice.” Each contributes a unique aromatic note, coming together to create that quintessential warm, cozy, and inviting fall flavor profile that pairs perfectly with pumpkin. Using individual spices allows for fine-tuning the balance, though pumpkin pie spice mix is a convenient alternative.
• Salt: A pinch of salt is essential for enhancing and balancing the sweetness of the cookies. It also deepens the overall flavor of the pumpkin and spices, ensuring your cookies are never bland, especially if you’re using unsalted butter.
• Granulated Sugar: Beyond just sweetening, sugar plays a critical role in the cookie’s texture. It contributes to that desirable chewy interior and helps achieve those slightly crispy edges that make these cookies so delightful.
• Unsalted Butter: Butter provides the richness and fat necessary for a tender cookie. As it melts during baking, it helps the dough spread gently, creating a perfectly shaped cookie. Using softened, room-temperature butter is crucial for proper creaming.
• Large Egg: A single large egg acts as a binder, adding moisture and richness to the dough. Using a room-temperature egg helps it emulsify better with the other ingredients, leading to a smoother, more uniform dough.
• Canned Pumpkin Puree: This is the star ingredient! Ensure you’re using plain canned pumpkin puree, not pre-made pumpkin pie mix, which contains added spices and sweeteners that would alter the recipe. The puree adds moisture, natural sweetness, and, of course, that distinct pumpkin flavor and beautiful orange hue.
• Vanilla Extract: A touch of vanilla extract is a flavor enhancer, amplifying the warmth of the fall spices and adding depth to the overall taste of the cookies.

How To Masterfully Bake Your Pumpkin Sugar Cookies

Get ready to infuse your kitchen with the aromatic spices of autumn! Making these soft pumpkin spice sugar cookies is a straightforward and rewarding process. Follow these steps for perfect results every time:

1. Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, take a whisk and combine your all-purpose flour, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, baking powder, salt, ground clove, and ground ginger. Whisk them thoroughly to ensure all the spices and leavening agents are evenly distributed. This prevents pockets of unmixed ingredients and ensures uniform flavor and rise.
2. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, preferably using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment or a hand mixer, beat the granulated sugar and softened unsalted butter together on medium-high speed. Continue beating for 1-2 minutes, or until the mixture becomes noticeably light, fluffy, and creamy. This step incorporates air, which contributes to the cookies’ soft texture.
3. Incorporate Wet Ingredients: Scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure everything is well combined. Then, beat in the room-temperature large egg, the canned pumpkin puree, and the vanilla extract. Mix until just combined and smooth. Avoid overmixing at this stage.
4. Combine Wet and Dry: Reduce the mixer speed to low. Gradually add the whisked flour mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing only until a soft and slightly sticky dough forms. It’s crucial not to overmix the dough once the flour is added, as this can develop the gluten too much, leading to tough cookies. The dough will be soft and sticky, which is exactly what you want; resist the urge to add more flour!
5. Bake to Perfection: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Using a #40 cookie scoop (approximately 1.5 tablespoons) or by hand, portion the dough into even balls and place them onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between each for spreading. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are just set and lightly golden, and the centers are puffed up. Do not overbake, as this will dry out your soft pumpkin cookies.

Once baked, allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. This helps them firm up slightly before you transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once fully cooled, they are ready for decorating! Store these delicious treats in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. If you choose to use a cream cheese frosting, remember to keep them refrigerated due to the perishable nature of the frosting.

The Perfect Frosting for Your Pumpkin Sugar Cookies

While these pumpkin spice sugar cookies are absolutely delightful on their own, a luscious frosting takes them to an entirely new level of indulgence. The creamy texture and complementary flavors of a good frosting elevate these simple cookies into a truly festive treat. As mentioned, I opted for a delightful cinnamon buttercream, which perfectly echoes the spices in the cookie itself, creating a harmonious flavor profile.

However, the possibilities for frosting are endless, allowing you to customize your cookies to your exact preference! Consider these fantastic alternatives:

• Small Batch Cream Cheese Frosting: A tangy and rich cream cheese frosting is a classic pairing for anything pumpkin. Its slight tanginess beautifully cuts through the sweetness of the cookie, creating a wonderfully balanced bite.
• Classic Buttercream Frosting: If you prefer a simpler, sweet topping, a traditional small batch buttercream frosting is always a winner. You can easily flavor it with a bit of extra vanilla, a hint of maple extract, or even a touch more cinnamon.
• Chocolate Buttercream or Cream Cheese Frosting: For those who adore the combination of pumpkin and chocolate, a chocolate buttercream or chocolate cream cheese frosting would be an absolutely divine choice. The deep, rich cocoa notes would add a decadent twist to the warm spices of the pumpkin cookies.

Whichever frosting you choose, don’t forget the finishing touches! Top your frosted cookies with an array of festive sprinkles – think fall colors like orange, brown, and gold – or mini chocolate chips for added texture and a hint of chocolate. You could also finely chop some pecans or walnuts for a nutty crunch, or even a light dusting of cinnamon or cocoa powder for an elegant finish. A simple spread of frosting and a sprinkle of joy are all you need to make these cookies truly special.

How To Freeze Pumpkin Sugar Cookies for Future Enjoyment

Good news for all pumpkin cookie lovers – this recipe is incredibly freezer-friendly! Freezing allows you to enjoy freshly baked pumpkin sugar cookies whenever the craving strikes, or to get a head start on holiday baking. There are two convenient ways you can freeze them, depending on your preference and timing:

1. Freezing Raw Dough Balls: This method is perfect for having fresh-baked cookies at a moment’s notice.
   • First, scoop the cookie dough into uniform balls, just as you would for baking.
   • Place these dough balls onto a baking sheet or plate lined with parchment paper, ensuring they don’t touch each other.
   • Freeze them for about 1 hour, or until they are firm enough to handle. This crucial step, known as “flash freezing,” prevents the dough balls from sticking together.
   • Once firm, transfer the frozen dough balls into a freezer-safe plastic bag or an airtight container. Label with the date. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months.
   • To bake from frozen, simply place the frozen dough balls on a prepared baking sheet and let them thaw at room temperature for approximately 30 minutes before baking as directed in the recipe. You might need to add an extra minute or two to the baking time.
2. Freezing Baked (Unfrosted) Cookies: This method is ideal if you want to bake a large batch and enjoy them later, or if you prefer to frost them fresh just before serving.
   • Bake the cookies according to the recipe instructions and allow them to cool completely on a wire rack. It’s important that they are fully cooled to prevent condensation and ice crystals from forming in the freezer.
   • Once cool, arrange the unfrosted cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet and flash freeze them for about 1-2 hours until solid.
   • Transfer the frozen cookies to a freezer-safe airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. They can be frozen for up to 2 months.
   • To serve, simply remove the desired number of cookies from the freezer and let them thaw at room temperature for an hour or two. Once thawed, you can frost and decorate them as desired, enjoying them as if they were freshly baked!

Whichever method you choose, you’ll be able to enjoy the comforting taste of these pumpkin sugar cookies long after the fall season has passed!

More Delicious Pumpkin Recipes to Savor This Fall

After making these delightful pumpkin sugar cookies, you’ll likely have some leftover canned pumpkin puree. Don’t let it go to waste! Pumpkin is incredibly versatile, and there are many other comforting recipes to explore that capture the essence of autumn. Here are a few more pumpkin-inspired treats to whip up and enjoy:

• Crunchy Pumpkin Biscotti
• Moist Pumpkin Bread (Perfect for Mini Loaves)
• Classic Small Pumpkin Pie

First Published: November 13, 2013 | Last Updated: [Current Date, e.g., October 26, 2023]