Pumpkin Cookies with Brown Butter Icing – A Fall Favorite You’ll Crave All Season

Introduction to Pumpkin Cookies with Brown Butter Icing

When fall arrives, pumpkin-flavored desserts steal the spotlight. From pumpkin pie to pumpkin bread, there’s no shortage of cozy, spiced treats. But if you’re craving something soft, chewy, and downright irresistible, pumpkin cookies with brown butter icing are the answer.

These cookies are packed with warm spices, real pumpkin purée, and a melt-in-your-mouth texture. What takes them over the top is the brown butter icing—rich, nutty, and slightly caramel-like, it pairs perfectly with the subtle sweetness of pumpkin. The combination of soft cookies and a glossy, flavorful glaze makes these a dessert you’ll want to bake on repeat throughout the season.

They’re simple enough for weekday baking yet elegant enough to serve at holiday gatherings. Once you try them, these cookies may just replace pumpkin pie as your go-to fall dessert.

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Why Pumpkin Cookies with Brown Butter Icing Are Irresistible

What makes these cookies stand out in a sea of pumpkin desserts? It’s the flavor, texture, and balance.

1. Soft and Chewy Texture

Pumpkin purée keeps the cookies moist and tender, while brown sugar adds chewiness.

2. Warm Fall Spices

Cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves bring cozy autumn flavor in every bite.

3. Brown Butter Magic

Unlike regular icing, brown butter icing has a rich, nutty depth that elevates the cookies to bakery-level goodness.

4. Easy Yet Impressive

They look fancy but are surprisingly easy to make—ideal for both novice and seasoned bakers.

5. Perfect for Any Occasion

Whether enjoyed with coffee in the morning, packed into a lunchbox, or served on a Thanksgiving dessert table, these cookies fit every fall moment.

It’s the blend of comfort + sophistication that makes these cookies so special.

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Health Benefits of Pumpkin in Cookies

Cookies may be indulgent, but pumpkin actually gives them a nutritional boost.

Pumpkin’s Nutritional Highlights:

• Vitamin A powerhouse → Supports vision and immunity.
• Antioxidants like beta-carotene → Protect against free radical damage.
• High in fiber → Aids digestion and helps keep you full.
• Low in calories → Adds bulk without heaviness.

Spices Add a Healthy Touch Too:

• Cinnamon → Helps regulate blood sugar.
• Nutmeg & cloves → Contain antioxidants and natural warming properties.
• Ginger → Boosts digestion and immunity.

So while these cookies are definitely a treat, they carry more nutritional benefits than your average sweet snack.

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Key Ingredients for Pumpkin Cookies with Brown Butter Icing

The magic of these cookies lies in a few key ingredients, each contributing to flavor and texture.

For the Cookies:

• Pumpkin purée (not pumpkin pie filling) → Adds moisture, color, and natural sweetness.
• All-purpose flour → Provides structure.
• Baking powder + baking soda → Help the cookies rise.
• Brown sugar & granulated sugar → Create a balance of sweetness and chew.
• Egg yolk → Adds richness without making the dough too wet.
• Butter or oil → Keeps cookies soft.
• Pumpkin pie spice blend → Cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger for classic fall flavor.
• Salt → Enhances sweetness and spice.
• Vanilla extract → Adds warmth.

For the Brown Butter Icing:

• Unsalted butter → Browned for a nutty, caramelized flavor.
• Powdered sugar → Creates smooth sweetness.
• Milk or cream → Helps achieve the right drizzling consistency.
• Vanilla extract → Enhances the icing flavor.
• Pinch of salt → Balances the richness.

The icing sets beautifully, giving the cookies a glossy finish with incredible flavor.

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Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Pumpkin Cookies with Brown Butter Icing

These cookies are straightforward to make but require a little patience when browning the butter for the icing. Here’s the method:

Step 1: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a bowl, whisk together:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Step 2: Prepare the Wet Ingredients

In a separate bowl, beat together:

• ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup granulated sugar

Then add:

• ½ cup pumpkin purée
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Mix until smooth.

Step 3: Combine Wet and Dry

• Gradually stir dry ingredients into wet mixture.
• Mix just until combined (don’t overmix).

Step 4: Scoop and Bake

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Line baking sheets with parchment.
• Drop spoonfuls of dough onto sheets, spaced about 2 inches apart.
• Bake 10–12 minutes, until edges are set.
• Let cool completely before icing.

Step 5: Make the Brown Butter Icing

• In a saucepan, melt ½ cup butter over medium heat until it turns golden brown and smells nutty.
• Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
• Whisk in 2 cups powdered sugar, 3–4 tablespoons milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and a pinch of salt until smooth.

Step 6: Ice the Cookies

• Spoon icing over cooled cookies or dip tops directly into the glaze.
• Let set for 20–30 minutes before stacking or serving.

The result? Soft, chewy pumpkin cookies topped with glossy, nutty icing that’s pure fall perfection.

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