Pumpkin and warm spices make some of the coziest flavors of the season, and these pumpkin-spice sugar cookies bring them together in one delicious bite. They are soft in texture, delicately spiced, and carry just the right amount of sweetness to enjoy with a cup of tea, coffee, or a glass of milk. This recipe is simple enough for beginner bakers but also flexible enough to be dressed up for fall gatherings, Halloween parties, or even Thanksgiving dessert tables.
Unlike traditional sugar cookies, which are buttery and crisp, these cookies lean toward soft and pillowy thanks to the addition of pumpkin purée. The pumpkin not only adds flavor but also provides moisture, which makes the cookies tender and slightly cake-like. When paired with spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves, each bite feels like a warm hug on a chilly day. The recipe comes together quickly and requires no special equipment other than mixing bowls, a hand or stand mixer, and some cookie cutters if you’d like to shape them.
Yield: about 24 cookies
Prep + Bake Time: around 30 to 40 minutes
Oven Temperature: 350°F (175°C)
Ingredients
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1/2 cup pumpkin purée
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
Extra sugar and cinnamon for sprinkling if desired
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This helps prevent sticking and also makes cleanup easier.
Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. This step incorporates air into the mixture and sets the foundation for soft cookies.
Beat in the egg, pumpkin purée, and vanilla extract. The mixture may look slightly separated at first, but once fully combined, it should be smooth and creamy.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and all the spices. Combining the dry ingredients separately ensures the leaveners and spices are evenly distributed before mixing them into the wet ingredients.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Stir until a soft dough forms. If the dough feels sticky or too soft to roll, chill it in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes. This step makes shaping much easier.
Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface and cut it into shapes with cookie cutters. Seasonal shapes like pumpkins, leaves, or stars make these cookies extra festive, but simple circles also work beautifully.
Optional: sprinkle the tops with a mixture of sugar and cinnamon before baking. This gives the cookies a slight sparkle and an extra layer of flavor.
Bake the cookies for 9 to 11 minutes, or until the edges are just lightly golden. Overbaking will cause them to lose their soft texture, so keep a close eye on the first batch.
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This short cooling period prevents the cookies from breaking apart while still warm.
Serving Suggestions
These cookies are delicious on their own, but you can also add simple decorations to suit the occasion. A drizzle of vanilla glaze or cream cheese icing turns them into a more indulgent treat. For a festive twist, scatter some orange or gold sprinkles over the glaze before it sets. They pair wonderfully with hot drinks, making them ideal for cozy evenings or holiday dessert spreads.
Storage Tips
Once cooled, store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. For longer storage, refrigerate them for up to a week or freeze for up to two months. If freezing, layer the cookies between sheets of parchment paper in a freezer-safe container to prevent sticking. When ready to serve, let them thaw at room temperature.
Recipe Variations
If you like your cookies a little sweeter, you can roll the dough balls in cinnamon sugar before baking instead of sprinkling it on top. This will give them a crisp, sweet coating that resembles snickerdoodles but with pumpkin spice. You can also fold in white chocolate chips or chopped pecans for added richness and texture.
For those who enjoy decorating cookies, this dough holds its shape fairly well, so you can cut out intricate designs and decorate with royal icing once baked and cooled. Kids especially love this activity, making it a fun recipe for family baking sessions during the fall season.
Another option is to make sandwich cookies by spreading a thin layer of cream cheese frosting between two pumpkin-spice sugar cookies. The tangy frosting pairs beautifully with the warm spices and transforms the cookies into a more decadent dessert.
Why This Recipe Works
The balance of pumpkin purée and flour keeps the cookies soft without being overly dense. The combination of spices ensures they taste distinctly autumnal without one spice overpowering the others. Cinnamon provides warmth, nutmeg and cloves give depth, while ginger adds a subtle zing. The butter and sugar base gives them the familiar comfort of sugar cookies but with a seasonal twist.
These cookies are a wonderful way to bring pumpkin flavor into your baking without needing a pie or cake. They bake quickly, travel well, and can be made ahead, making them a reliable choice for potlucks, school treats, or holiday gifting.
Closing Thoughts
Pumpkin-spice sugar cookies are simple, comforting, and festive. Whether you enjoy them plain, sprinkled with cinnamon sugar, or decorated with icing, they capture the spirit of autumn in each bite. The recipe is straightforward, and the ingredients are pantry-friendly, which means you can whip up a batch whenever the craving strikes. With their soft texture, spiced aroma, and golden finish, they are sure to become a seasonal favorite in your kitchen.