Soft Pumpkin Spice Cookies: A Cozy Fall Favorite

Fall is in the air, and there’s no better way to celebrate the season than with a warm batch of Soft Pumpkin Spice Cookies. These cookies are everything you love about autumn: tender, fluffy, and brimming with pumpkin flavor and warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.

Unlike traditional crispy cookies, these have a cake-like texture that practically melts in your mouth. Whether you’re baking for a holiday party, a weekend brunch, or just craving a cozy homemade treat, these soft pumpkin spice cookies deliver the ultimate fall flavor with minimal effort.

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Why You’ll Love These Pumpkin Spice Cookies

🎃 Made with real pumpkin puree for moisture and flavor
🍂 Warm fall spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves
🧁 Soft, fluffy texture — more like cake than cookie
👩‍🍳 No mixer required and ready in under 30 minutes
🥄 Great for snacks, lunchboxes, or dessert
🎉 Easy to frost, glaze, or enjoy plain

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Ingredients You’ll Need

Dry Ingredients:

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg
• ¼ tsp ground cloves
• Optional: ¼ tsp ground ginger

Wet Ingredients:

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

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Optional Add-ins:

• ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
• ½ cup mini chocolate chips or white chocolate chips

Optional Frosting:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tbsp milk (plus more as needed)
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• Dash of cinnamon (optional)

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Tools You’ll Need

• Mixing bowls
• Whisk or hand mixer
• Cookie scoop or spoon
• Baking sheets
• Parchment paper or silicone mat
• Cooling rack

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How to Make Soft Pumpkin Spice Cookies

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Step 1: Preheat and Prepare

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.

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Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars

In a large mixing bowl, beat together:

• Softened butter
• Granulated sugar
• Brown sugar

Mix until smooth and creamy, about 2–3 minutes.

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Step 3: Add Pumpkin, Egg, and Vanilla

Add the pumpkin puree, egg, and vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture. Mix until fully combined. The mixture will be very soft and a bit fluffy — this is normal.

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Step 4: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together:

• Flour
• Baking soda
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Cinnamon
• Nutmeg
• Cloves
• (Optional) Ginger

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet, stirring until just combined. Do not overmix.

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Step 5: Scoop the Dough

Using a spoon or cookie scoop, drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto your prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.

✅ Tip: For a neater look, smooth the tops slightly with damp fingers.

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Step 6: Bake

Bake for 12–14 minutes, or until the tops are set and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.

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Step 7: Frost or Glaze (Optional)

For added sweetness, drizzle or spread a simple glaze or frosting over the cooled cookies.

To make the glaze:

• Whisk powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, and cinnamon (optional) until smooth.
• Drizzle over cookies or dip the tops.
• Let set for 10–15 minutes before storing.

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Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

🧊 To store:
Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

❄️ To freeze baked cookies:
Place in layers with parchment between and store in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months.

🔥 To freeze dough:
Scoop dough onto a tray, freeze until solid, then store in a freezer bag. Bake from frozen, adding 1–2 extra minutes.

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Nutrition (Per Cookie, Approximate)

• Calories: 150
• Fat: 6g
• Carbohydrates: 22g
• Sugar: 12g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 2g

Nutrition values will vary depending on frosting and mix-ins.

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Fun Variations

🍫 Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies – Add ½ cup chocolate chips
🌰 Pumpkin Pecan Cookies – Stir in chopped pecans
🧁 Pumpkin Spice Whoopie Pies – Sandwich two cookies with cream cheese frosting
🥥 Coconut Pumpkin Cookies – Mix in shredded coconut for extra texture
🧂 Salted Pumpkin Cookies – Sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt before baking

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What to Serve With Pumpkin Spice Cookies

☕ Coffee or spiced chai tea for a cozy afternoon treat
🍦 Vanilla or cinnamon ice cream for a fall dessert
🍎 Apple cider (hot or cold) to double down on autumn flavors
🧁 Cream cheese frosting for a bakery-style twist

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FAQs About Pumpkin Spice Cookies

Can I use pumpkin pie filling instead of pumpkin puree?

No — pumpkin pie filling contains added sugars and spices that can throw off the recipe. Always use 100% pumpkin puree.

Can I make these vegan?

Yes! Use a plant-based butter and a flax egg (1 tbsp flaxseed meal + 2.5 tbsp water) to make it egg-free.

Why are my cookies too cakey?

These cookies are meant to be soft and cake-like, but if they’re overly puffy, try:

• Reducing baking powder slightly
• Pressing the dough slightly before baking
• Skipping the chill time (if you’re doing it)

Can I reduce the sugar?

Yes! You can reduce the sugar by ¼ cup without affecting the texture too much, especially if you’re skipping the frosting.

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Why This Recipe Works

✅ Real pumpkin makes the cookies moist and naturally sweet
✅ Warm spices deliver that classic fall aroma and flavor
✅ Soft-baked texture is perfect for cozy comfort
✅ Easy enough for beginners, impressive enough for gifting
✅ Customizable with chocolate, nuts, or glaze

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Final Thoughts: The Ultimate Fall Cookie

If you’re looking for a cookie recipe that feels like fall in every bite, these Soft Pumpkin Spice Cookies are the answer. Easy to make, irresistibly spiced, and melt-in-your-mouth soft, they’re perfect for any autumn occasion — from Halloween parties to Thanksgiving dessert trays.

So grab your pumpkin puree, break out the cinnamon, and let your kitchen fill with the sweet smell of fall baking. Trust us — one bite, and you’ll be hooked.

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