Description
These Pumpkin Sugar Cookies are soft, aromatic, and delightfully spiced cookies made with pumpkin puree and warm fall spices. Perfectly tender and slightly chewy, they are easy to prepare using pantry staples and ideal for sharing during the seasonal celebrations or enjoying with a cozy cup of tea.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (or coconut oil/vegan butter for vegan version)
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree (pure pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling)
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Gather and measure all ingredients carefully. Soften the butter to room temperature and have your pumpkin puree ready—this makes mixing easier and ensures even texture.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. This creates the fragrant spice blend that defines these cookies.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Using a mixer, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy. This step is key for tender cookies and helps dissolve the sugar evenly.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the pumpkin puree and vanilla extract until well combined. Incorporating the pumpkin here ensures each bite is moist and flavorful.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixes: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet, mixing until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies soft and tender rather than tough.
- Chill the Dough: Cover your dough and chill it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. This helps control spreading during baking and enhances flavors.
- Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Scoop the chilled dough onto parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing them apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until edges are lightly golden. Let cool slightly before transferring to wire racks to finish cooling.
Notes
- Don’t skip chilling: It prevents cookie spread for thicker, chewier bites.
- Measure flour correctly: Spoon and level to avoid dense cookies.
- Use pure pumpkin puree: Avoid pumpkin pie filling for best texture and flavor.
- Room temperature butter: Creams better with sugar, creating lighter cookies.
- Fresh spices: Use recently ground spices for the most vibrant taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: pumpkin sugar cookies, fall cookies, soft pumpkin cookies, spiced cookies, autumn treats