Classic Soft Pumpkin Cookie Recipe

October 7, 2021

Classic Soft Pumpkin Cookie Recipe is an easy recipe that you can enjoy as a part of a family tradition of fall baking. The cookies are easy to make, soft, and utterly delicious. A must-try for the season!

Why Are Pumpkin Cookies the Best Recipe for Fall Baking?

Fall is officially the season of baking! You can smell freshly baked cookies and pies on the street. The season is full of excitement. As winter draws closer, everyone is in a happy spirit. So, the best way to enjoy the fall season is by indulging in fall baking! You can find plenty of family-favorite recipes that are super easy to make and are just as tasteful. Among the many fall recipes, pumpkin cookies are my absolute favorite and are undoubtedly the best pumpkin recipe you can try. Here is why you should try these cookies this fall:

These soft pumpkin cookies are utterly delicious. The cookies have a fluffy and soft texture and literally melt in your mouth.
These are effortless to make. Therefore, these are perfect fall recipe you can enjoy to keep up the family baking

Ingredients Breakdown:

Here is everything you need for making these delicious cookies:

Cookies:

All-purpose flour: all-purpose flour is one of the main ingredients used in making these cookies. All-purpose flour is available in every household. Especially when the fall season draws closer, everyone stacks up all-purpose flour as it is an integral ingredient in almost every baked item.
Pumpkin: the hero of this cookie recipe is pumpkin puree. Pumpkin screams fall every time! You can use homemade pumpkin puree or store-bought as well. I prefer using Libby’s pure pumpkin puree. It has just the right consistency and is very convenient.
Baking soda: baking soda helps leaven the cookie dough. As a result, the cookies are well-risen. Moreover, it’s because of the baking soda that these pumpkin cookies have a soft and fluffy texture.
Baking powder: baking powder releases carbon dioxide during baking which not just helps in raising the cookies evenly but also makes them airy and light.
Butter: the buttery-ness of these cookies comes from adding butter. It adds texture to the cookies and makes them tender.
Egg: eggs act as a binding agent and bring everything together in a cookie. The cookie retains its shape and moisture, all thanks to the egg.
Cinnamon: there are so many flavors that remind us instantly of the fall. The changing weather requires warmth, and what better way to enjoy it than cinnamon? The woody flavor brings warmth to the cookies and brings an instant smile to your face.
Nutmeg: cinnamon and nutmeg usually go hand in hand in the fall. The nutty and warm flavor and aroma of nutmeg go so well with the pumpkin.
Sugar: sugar brings sweetness to the cookies. You can adjust the quantity according to your liking.
Salt: a dash of salt balances out the flavors by cutting through the sweetness.
Vanilla extract: adding vanilla flavor to these cookies give them a different dimension.

Icing:

Powdered sugar: icing or powdered sugar is readily available in every kitchen. Make sure you swift it before using it.
Milk: full-fat dairy milk is perfect for making frosting. That's because it has the right amount of cream in it.
Butter: butter will give the frosting a glossy texture.

Kitchen Utensils:

You don’t need fancy baking equipment when making these delicious cookies. So, even if you are a beginner at baking, you can easily get the equipment. Here is what you will need.

Measuring cups
Measuring spoons
Large and small mixing bowl
Spatula
Baking tray
Cooling wire rack

Tips for Making Pumpkin Cookies:

Although baking pumpkin cookies are super easy and effortless. However, a few tips can improve the texture of your cookies and make them last longer. Here are a few tips you should always keep in mind when baking cookies:

Make sure the egg and butter are at room temperature.
If you are looking for gluten-free cookies, I recommend you choose gluten-free all-purpose flour.
If you are using self-raising flour, skip adding baking powder.
Never overbeat the mixture. Beat it to the point when everything is just combined.
You can use organic cane sugar, coconut sugar, or brown sugar instead of white sugar as well. However, the quantities will vary. If using brown sugar, the flavor will change a bit as well. That's because brown sugar has a slight bitterness. Also, the color of the cookies will darken as well.

How to Store Pumpkin Cookies?

What I love about these cookies is that you prepare these in advance and store them for later use as well. Here are a few amazing ways to store the cookies so that you can enjoy them whenever you want:

Cooked cookies
- Once the cooked are properly baked, wait till they cool down completely. You can place them in an air-tight jar in such a way that each cookie has a parchment paper sheet between them. Keep the jar in the refrigerator, and the cookies will last for up to 3 days.
- Moreover, you can store the air-tight jar containing baked cookies in the freezer as well. It will last for up to 3 months in the freezer.
Uncooked cookies
- You can store the cookie dough in the refrigerator by placing it in an air-tight container. Refrigerate the dough for up to 5 days. Moreover, you can also shape the dough into the cookies and refrigerate it as well. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate.
- You can freeze uncooked cookie dough as well. Place the dough in an airtight container and freeze. It will last for up to 3 months. You can thaw it, shape it into cookies and bake. Moreover, you can also freeze the shaped cookies for 3 hours and then transfer them to a plastic zip lock bag and freeze. The cookies will last for three months. Place on a baking tray and bake without waiting for them to thaw.