These Wholesome Pumpkin Spice Sugar Cookies combine the soft texture of classic sugar cookies with the warm flavors of pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. They’re lightly sweetened, incredibly soft, and filled with everything you love about autumn baking.
Perfect for holiday cookie trays, cozy afternoons, bake sales, or sharing with family and friends, these pumpkin spice cookies bring comforting fall flavor to every bite.
Why You’ll Love These Pumpkin Spice Sugar Cookies
Soft and tender
A melt-in-your-mouth texture that’s hard to resist.
Full of warm spices
Classic pumpkin spice flavor in every cookie.
Easy to make
Simple ingredients and straightforward steps.
Great for decorating
Perfect with glaze, frosting, or a dusting of cinnamon sugar.
Perfect for fall
Ideal for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and autumn gatherings.
What Makes These Cookies Special?
Unlike traditional sugar cookies, these include:
- Pumpkin puree
- Pumpkin pie spice
- Brown sugar for extra moisture
- Warm fall flavors
The result is a cookie that’s soft, flavorful, and wonderfully seasonal.
Ingredients
For the cookies
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional cinnamon sugar coating
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Optional glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
How to Make Pumpkin Spice Sugar Cookies
Step 1: Preheat oven
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Step 2: Mix dry ingredients
In a bowl whisk together:
- Flour
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Pumpkin pie spice
- Cinnamon
Set aside.
Step 3: Cream butter and sugars
In a large bowl beat together:
- Butter
- Brown sugar
- Granulated sugar
Mix until light and fluffy.
Step 4: Add wet ingredients
Beat in:
- Pumpkin puree
- Egg
- Vanilla extract
Mix until smooth.
Step 5: Combine
Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients.
Mix until a soft dough forms.
Step 6: Chill dough
Refrigerate dough for 30 minutes.
This helps prevent excessive spreading.
Step 7: Shape cookies
Roll dough into 1-inch balls.
Roll in cinnamon sugar if desired.
Place on prepared baking sheets.
Step 8: Bake
Bake for 10–12 minutes until edges are lightly set.
Centers should remain soft.
Step 9: Cool
Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Step 10: Add glaze
Once cooled, drizzle with vanilla glaze if desired.
Tips for Perfect Pumpkin Spice Sugar Cookies
Don’t skip chilling
It helps maintain the cookie shape.
Measure flour carefully
Too much flour can make cookies dry.
Use pure pumpkin puree
Avoid pumpkin pie filling.
Don’t overbake
Soft centers create the best texture.
Delicious Variations
Maple Pumpkin Cookies 🍁
Replace some sugar with pure maple syrup.
Pumpkin Cream Cheese Cookies 🥄
Add a cream cheese frosting.
White Chocolate Pumpkin Cookies 🤍
Fold white chocolate chips into the dough.
Pumpkin Pecan Cookies 🌰
Add chopped pecans for crunch.
Pumpkin Sandwich Cookies 🎃
Fill with cream cheese frosting between two cookies.
Why These Cookies Stay Soft
The combination of:
- Pumpkin puree
- Brown sugar
- Butter
helps lock in moisture and creates a tender, bakery-style texture.
Perfect for Fall Gatherings
These cookies are wonderful for:
- Halloween parties
- Thanksgiving dessert tables
- Autumn bake sales
- Holiday cookie exchanges
- Family gatherings
Serving Suggestions
Serve with:
- Coffee ☕
- Chai tea 🍂
- Hot apple cider 🍎
- Hot chocolate 🍫
- Warm milk 🥛
Storage Instructions
Room Temperature
Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Refrigerator
Store for up to 1 week.
Freezer
Freeze baked cookies for up to 3 months.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Overbaking
Can make cookies dry instead of soft.
Using pumpkin pie filling
Adds unwanted sweetness and spices.
Skipping the chilling step
May cause excessive spreading.
Overmixing the dough
Can lead to tougher cookies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I freeze the dough?
Yes. Freeze dough balls for up to 2 months.
Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes. Use a quality 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
Can I add chocolate chips?
Absolutely. White or milk chocolate works especially well.
Why are my cookies cakey?
Pumpkin naturally creates a softer, cake-like texture.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These Pumpkin Spice Sugar Cookies are:
- Soft and flavorful
- Easy to make
- Packed with warm spices
- Perfect for autumn
- Great for sharing
They’re everything you love about pumpkin season in cookie form.
Final Thoughts
These Wholesome Pumpkin Spice Sugar Cookies 🎃🍪 are soft, cozy, and filled with the comforting flavors of fall. Whether enjoyed with a cup of coffee, shared at a holiday gathering, or packed into a cookie tin, they’re a delicious seasonal treat everyone will love.
Bake a batch and enjoy the taste of autumn in every bite!
Print
Wholesome Pumpkin Spice Sugar Cookies: Soft, Cozy, and Perfect for Fall
Ingredients
• Cookies: 1 ½ cups almond flour or whole wheat pastry flour, ½ cup pure pumpkin puree (not pie filling), ⅓ cup plain Greek yogurt, ⅓ cup pure maple syrup or coconut sugar, 1 large egg or flax egg, ¼ cup melted coconut oil or light butter, 1 tsp pure vanilla extract, 1 ½ tsp pumpkin pie spice (cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves), 1 tsp baking powder, ½ tsp baking soda, pinch sea salt
• Sugar Coating: ¼ cup coconut sugar or pure cane sugar + ½ tsp cinnamon + pinch nutmeg, mixed for rolling
• Optional Glaze: 2 tbsp Greek yogurt + 1 tsp maple syrup + pinch vanilla + dash cinnamon for elegant drizzling
• Optional Mix-Ins: 2 tbsp chopped pecans, 1 tbsp unsweetened shredded coconut, or 1 tbsp sugar-free chocolate chips
Instructions
• In a medium bowl, whisk almond flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until lump-free and fragrant.
• In another bowl, mix pumpkin puree, Greek yogurt, maple syrup, egg, melted coconut oil, and vanilla until smooth and creamy.
• Gently fold wet ingredients into dry until just combined—avoid overmixing for tender, cake-like cookies that stay moist for days.
• Optional: Fold in pecans, coconut, or chocolate chips for extra texture and flavor.
• Chill dough 10-15 minutes if too soft for easier handling (especially with almond flour or very ripe pumpkin).
• In a small bowl, mix coconut sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg for the sparkling coating.
• Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough, roll into balls, then roll each ball in the spiced sugar mixture until evenly coated.
• Place on baking sheet 2 inches apart; gently flatten with a fork or palm for that classic sugar cookie shape. Optional: press a pecan half on top.
• Bake 10-12 mins until edges are lightly golden and centers are set but still soft.
• Cool 5 minutes on pan, then transfer to a rack. Optionally drizzle with Greek yogurt glaze once cooled for extra elegance!
Prep Time : 12 mins, Cook Time : 12 mins, Total Time : 24 mins (+ optional chilling), Servings : 12, Calories : 135, Net Carbs: 14g, Fats: 8g, Protein: 6g