Chewy Pumpkin Cookies Recipe

Fluffy, Spiced Chewy Pumpkin Cookies Recipe for Fall Delight

Fall’s crisp magic sparks cravings for these irresistible chewy pumpkin cookies that melt in your mouth.

Warm spices dance through soft, pillowy dough creating an autumn symphony of flavor.

Cozy kitchen moments emerge when baking these delectable treats that capture seasonal comfort.

Fragrant notes of cinnamon and nutmeg swirl around each perfectly textured morsel.

Minimal ingredients combine effortlessly to craft cookies that feel like a sweet embrace from nature.

Quick mixing and simple steps mean you can enjoy these delightful morsels in under an hour.

Prepare to experience pure seasonal bliss with every single bite.

Pumpkin Cookies That Stay Soft, Chewy, and Spiced Just Right

  • Effortlessly Bake: Simple recipe with basic ingredients and straightforward mixing technique, perfect for bakers of all skill levels.
  • Warmly Comfort: Packed with classic fall spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger, these cookies create a cozy, nostalgic autumn feeling that wraps you in delicious memories.
  • Quick Treat Delight: Minimal preparation and short baking time make these cookies a fast and convenient dessert option for busy families or spontaneous sweet cravings.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Soft, chewy texture and rich pumpkin flavor appeal to both kids and adults, making them ideal for gatherings, potlucks, or casual family desserts.

Chewy Pumpkin Cookies Ingredient List

Main Ingredients:
  • Pumpkin Puree: Fresh and smooth base for cookie flavor.
  • Flour: Crucial for cookie structure and texture.
  • Butter: Adds rich, creamy taste to cookies.
Dry Ingredients:
  • Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps with cookie caramelization.
  • Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and become soft.
  • Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Ginger: Warm spices that enhance pumpkin flavor.
  • Salt: Balances overall sweetness.
Binding Ingredients:
  • Egg: Helps bind ingredients together.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds depth of flavor.
  • Parchment Paper: Prevents cookies from sticking to baking sheet.

Making Chewy Pumpkin Cookies the Easy Way

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Warm up your oven to 350°F. Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cookie removal. This ensures your cookies won’t stick and will bake evenly.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

Grab a medium bowl and combine your dry ingredients:
  • All-purpose flour
  • Baking powder
  • Baking soda
  • Ground cinnamon
  • Ground nutmeg
  • Ground ginger
  • Salt

Whisk everything together until well blended, creating a fragrant spice mixture.

Step 3: Blend Wet Ingredients

In a separate large bowl, mix your wet ingredients until smooth and creamy:
  • Pumpkin puree
  • Granulated sugar
  • Brown sugar
  • Melted butter
  • Egg
  • Vanilla extract

Stir until all ingredients are fully incorporated and create a rich, orange-hued mixture.

Step 4: Combine Mixtures

Slowly add dry ingredients into wet ingredients. Fold gently to prevent overmixing. The goal is a soft, uniform cookie dough with a beautiful autumn-inspired color.

Step 5: Form Cookies

Use a spoon to drop cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Space each dollop about 2 inches apart to allow proper spreading during baking.

Step 6: Bake and Cool

Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven. Bake for 10-12 minutes until cookie edges look set and slightly golden. Remove and let cookies cool completely on a wire rack before enjoying their warm, spicy goodness.

  • Choose Fresh Pumpkin Puree: Opt for high-quality canned pumpkin or homemade puree for the best flavor and texture in your cookies.
  • Control Moisture Levels: If the dough seems too wet, add an extra tablespoon of flour to prevent overly soft cookies.
  • Gentle Mixing Technique: Stir ingredients just until combined to maintain a tender, chewy cookie texture without developing tough gluten.
  • Space Cookies Properly: Leave enough room between cookie dough drops to allow for spreading during baking, preventing them from merging.
  • Store for Maximum Freshness: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to preserve their soft, chewy consistency.

Keep Pumpkin Cookies Soft and Delicious

  • Store cookies in an airtight container layered with parchment paper for up to 5 days, keeping them soft and fresh in the refrigerator.
  • Wrap individual cookies in plastic wrap, place in freezer bags, and freeze for 2-3 months, preserving their chewy texture and flavor.
  • Keep cookies in a sealed container at room temperature for 2-3 days, ensuring they remain moist and delicious.
  • Warm cookies in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300°F for 3-5 minutes to restore their original soft, chewy consistency.

Chewy Pumpkin Cookies Companion Picks

  • Pair Spiced Autumn Beverage: Warm chai latte complements the pumpkin cookie's rich spices, creating a cozy flavor harmony that enhances the seasonal warmth.
  • Enhance Creamy Topping: Drizzle cream cheese glaze over cookies to add tangy sweetness, balancing the warm spices and providing luxurious texture contrast.
  • Match Seasonal Sip: Mulled apple cider offers a complementary fruity undertone that highlights the pumpkin's earthy notes and cookie's comforting profile.
  • Boost Dessert Experience: Serve alongside vanilla bean ice cream for a cool, creamy counterpoint to the chewy, spiced cookie texture.
  • Gluten-Free Pumpkin Cookies: Replace wheat flour with almond flour or gluten-free blend for those with wheat sensitivities.
  • Vegan Pumpkin Cookies: Substitute egg with flax egg and use coconut oil instead of butter to create a plant-based version.
  • Low-Sugar Pumpkin Cookies: Use stevia or monk fruit sweetener to reduce overall sugar content for diabetic-friendly option.
  • Keto Pumpkin Cookies: Swap flour with coconut or almond flour, use sugar substitute, and add cream cheese for a low-carb alternative.

FAQs

  • Are these cookies soft or crispy?

These cookies are chewy with a soft, tender texture that melts in your mouth. The combination of pumpkin puree and careful mixing creates a moist, delightful cookie.

  • Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Just ensure the blend contains xanthan gum for better texture and binding.

  • How do I know when the cookies are perfectly baked?

Look for slightly set edges and a soft center. The cookies should appear puffy and not look wet or raw in the middle. They’ll continue to set as they cool on the wire rack.

  • What gives these cookies their rich autumn flavor?

The blend of warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger combined with pumpkin puree creates a classic fall flavor profile that captures the essence of seasonal baking.

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Chewy Pumpkin Cookies Recipe

Chewy Pumpkin Cookies Recipe


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4.9 from 39 reviews

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 24 1x

Description

Seasonal pumpkin magic brings these chewy pumpkin cookies to life with warm spices and irresistible texture. Rich autumn flavors and comforting aromas invite you to savor each delightful bite of homemade goodness.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup pumpkin puree
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 cup melted butter

Sugars:

  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar

Spices and Seasonings:

  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper for optimal cookie release.
  2. Combine all dry ingredients in a medium mixing bowl, whisking thoroughly to ensure even distribution of spices and leavening agents.
  3. In a separate large bowl, blend pumpkin puree with sugars, melted butter, egg, and vanilla extract until the mixture becomes smooth and uniform.
  4. Gradually fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring gently to create a consistent dough without overmixing, which can make cookies tough.
  5. Using a cookie scoop or spoon, portion out rounds of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving sufficient space between each cookie for potential spreading.
  6. Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, watching for slightly golden edges and a set texture as indicators of doneness.
  7. Remove cookies from the oven and allow them to cool completely on a wire rack, where they will continue to firm up and develop their signature chewy texture.

Notes

  • Achieve the perfect chewy texture by slightly underbaking the cookies, which helps maintain moisture and softness.
  • Boost flavor complexity by adding a pinch of cloves or cardamom to the spice blend for a deeper, more nuanced taste profile.
  • Consider chilling the dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent excessive spreading and create a more compact cookie shape.
  • Adjust the recipe for gluten-free diets by substituting all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend, ensuring similar texture and taste.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 24
  • Calories: 120
  • Sugar: 8 g
  • Sodium: 50 mg
  • Fat: 5 g
  • Saturated Fat: 3 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 17 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 10 mg
Marcus Hale

Marcus Hale

Founder & Recipe Storyteller

Expertise

  • Demystifying knife work, sauce emulsification, and pastry basics.
  • Curating seasonal guides that adapt global recipes to local, in-season produce.
  • Crafting blog posts, videos, and social media tips.

Education

Holyoke Community College – HCC-MGM Culinary Arts Institute

  • Program: Culinary Arts Certificate
  • Focus: Hands-on global cuisine training emphasizes sustainable cooking and recipe development under accredited chefs.

Marcus grew up surrounded by maple trees, farm stands, and the smell of Sunday stew simmering on the stove. After earning his Culinary Arts Certificate from the HCC-MGM Culinary Arts Institute, he knew he didn’t want to work in fancy kitchens, he wanted to cook for real people.

At Whip Up Cook Up, Marcus is the guy turning memories into meals. His recipes are fast, full of flavor, and built for home cooks who want big taste without the drama.

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