Pumpkin Cookies with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting – Easy & Delicious Homemade Recipe

A Sweet Bite of History

Pumpkin has been a star ingredient in American baking since the colonial era, with pumpkin pies and breads gracing tables for centuries. Cream cheese frosting, though more modern, rose to popularity in the mid-20th century as a staple for carrot cake and red velvet cake. The pairing of soft pumpkin cookies with tangy-sweet cream cheese frosting is a perfect blend of tradition and indulgence—uniting cozy fall flavors with a creamy, decadent finish.

Pumpkin Cookies with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting – Easy & Delicious Homemade Recipe

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• Author: Jenny Cooks
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Total Time: 32 minutes
• Yield: 18 cookies 1x

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Description

These pumpkin cookies with cinnamon cream cheese frosting are soft, moist, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. The cookies are warmly spiced with pumpkin pie flavors, while the frosting adds a silky, tangy sweetness that makes them irresistible. Perfect for fall gatherings, Thanksgiving dessert tables, or a cozy weekend bake, these cookies are as beautiful as they are tasty—guaranteed to be a seasonal favorite.

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Ingredients

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For the Cookies:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened

• 1 cup brown sugar

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar

• 1 cup pumpkin purée

• 1 large egg

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 tsp baking powder

• 1 tsp baking soda

• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

• 1/2 tsp ground ginger

• 1/2 tsp salt

For the Frosting:

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

• 3 cups powdered sugar

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

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Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

• In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Mix in pumpkin, egg, and vanilla.

• In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, spices, and salt. Gradually mix into wet ingredients until combined.

• Scoop dough onto baking sheet and bake 11–13 minutes, until cookies are set. Cool completely.

• For the frosting, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Mix in powdered sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon until fluffy.

 

• Pipe or spread frosting over cooled cookies and sprinkle with extra cinnamon if desired.

  

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Notes

For extra flavor, add a pinch of cloves to the cookie dough.

Chill the cookies before frosting for a neater finish.

Store frosted cookies in the fridge, but bring to room temperature before serving.

FAQs

1. Can I make the cookies without frosting?
Yes! They’re still soft and delicious on their own, but the frosting adds a rich, indulgent touch.

2. Can I freeze frosted cookies?
It’s best to freeze the cookies unfrosted. Add the cream cheese frosting after thawing for the best texture.

3. How do I keep the frosting from being too runny?
Make sure your cream cheese and butter are at room temperature, not overly soft, and add powdered sugar gradually until fluffy and thick.