I’m Grace, the cook and the soul behind Homely Tasty. Every fall, my kitchen fills with the comforting aroma of pumpkin and warm spices, reminding me of my Nonna’s baking days in Sicily. These Pumpkin Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting are my modern take on her old-fashioned pumpkin treats. Soft, sweet, and full of nostalgia, they bring together the best of autumn flavors in every bite. Each cookie is moist from pumpkin purée and topped with a tangy cream cheese frosting that melts perfectly on your tongue.
If you love fall sweets as much as I do, you’ll also adore these Apple Cider Cheesecake Cookies, another cozy autumn favorite.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These pumpkin cookies are soft and tender, with just the right balance of sweetness and spice. The cream cheese frosting adds a smooth, rich contrast to the light pumpkin base. They’re easy to make, require no chilling, and bake in under 15 minutes. Whether you’re planning a holiday dessert table or baking just for the joy of it, these cookies are sure to impress. What’s even better is how they keep fresh and soft for days.
For a dessert that brings the same fall comfort, you might enjoy the Apple Brownies; dense, chewy, and bursting with autumn flavor.
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Pumpkin Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting
Soft, spiced pumpkin sugar cookies topped with creamy vanilla frosting, a cozy fall dessert that’s sweet, simple, and irresistible.
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Ingredients
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp nutmeg
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
½ cup granulated sugar
½ cup brown sugar
1 egg
¾ cup pumpkin purée (not pumpkin pie filling)
1 tsp vanilla extract
4 oz cream cheese, softened
¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
1 ½ cups powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
3. In another bowl, cream together butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Add the egg, pumpkin purée, and vanilla extract; mix until smooth.
5. Gradually add dry ingredients into the wet mixture and stir until combined.
6. Drop tablespoonfuls of dough onto the baking sheet and bake for 10–12 minutes.
7. Allow cookies to cool completely before frosting.
8. Beat cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth and creamy.
9. Spread frosting generously over cooled cookies.
Notes
Use pure pumpkin purée for best flavor; not pumpkin pie filling.
Add a pinch of ginger or clove for a stronger autumn spice.
Unfrosted cookies can be frozen for up to 2 months.
For a maple twist, replace vanilla in the frosting with maple extract.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 145
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 21g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Ingredients
You’ll need just a handful of pantry staples to make these Pumpkin Sugar Cookies:
For the cookies:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 egg
- ¾ cup pumpkin purée (not pumpkin pie filling)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the frosting:
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
You can add a pinch of ginger or clove for a stronger spice note. For another creamy dessert that highlights tangy sweetness, try the Apple Crisp Mini Cheesecakes.
How to Make Pumpkin Sugar Cookies
- Preheat your oven: Set it to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix the dry ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Cream the butter and sugars: In another bowl, beat the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until fluffy. Add the egg, pumpkin purée, and vanilla. Mix until smooth.
- Combine: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture and stir just until combined.
- Scoop and bake: Drop tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them apart. Bake for 10–12 minutes or until the edges are just set.
- Cool and frost: Beat cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Spread generously over cooled cookies.
The result? Soft pumpkin cookies with a creamy frosting that makes every bite irresistible. If you enjoy cream cheese-based treats, you’ll also love these Cranberry Cream Cheese Crescent Bites.
Tips and Variations
- Make it your own: Add chopped pecans or mini chocolate chips to the dough for a little crunch.
- Frosting flavor: Swap vanilla for maple extract for a deeper autumn note.
- Storage: Keep cookies in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freezing tip: Unfrosted cookies freeze beautifully for up to two months.
If you’re a pumpkin lover like me, try pairing these cookies with a slice of Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake; it’s the perfect way to celebrate the season’s best ingredient.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use homemade pumpkin purée instead of canned?
Yes! Just make sure it’s thick and well-drained. Watery purée can make your cookies too soft.
Do I need to chill the dough?
Not at all. This dough is soft but doesn’t spread too much, so you can bake right away.
Can I make the frosting ahead of time?
Definitely. Store it covered in the fridge for up to three days, then bring it to room temperature before spreading.
How can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Use a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend. The texture will remain tender and moist.
For another easy no-bake pumpkin dessert, check out the No Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake Balls; they’re a great fall snack option.
Conclusion
These Pumpkin Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting are soft, sweet, and full of fall charm. Every bite brings the warmth of cinnamon and the comfort of homemade frosting. They remind me of afternoons in Nonna’s kitchen, where time slowed down, and love was measured in spoonfuls of sugar. Whether shared at a gathering or enjoyed with coffee on a quiet morning, they embody everything I cherish about baking: care, connection, and comfort. For more autumn inspiration, try the Apple Crumble Cheesecake or my cozy Caramel Apple Cheesecake Dip.
Loved this recipe? Follow me on Pinterest for more comforting dishes and easy weeknight favorites you’ll want to save.
