Description
These Healthy Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Salted Maple Frosting offer a moist and tender fall-inspired treat made with wholesome ingredients. The natural sweetness of pumpkin and spices is perfectly complemented by a luscious and balanced salted maple frosting, creating a guilt-free indulgence perfect for cozy autumn days and festive gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookies
- 1 cup pumpkin puree (pure, canned or fresh)
- 1/2 cup coconut sugar
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 1 large egg or 1 flax egg (1 tbsp flaxseed meal + 3 tbsp water)
- 1 3/4 cups whole wheat flour (or gluten-free blend for GF version)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Salted Maple Frosting
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened (or dairy-free cream cheese alternative)
- 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- Pinch of flaky sea salt
Instructions
- Prepare the Cookie Batter: In a large bowl, mix the pumpkin puree with coconut sugar and maple syrup until smooth. Beat in the egg or flax egg until fully combined. Add cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, baking soda, and a pinch of salt for flavor and proper rise.
- Incorporate the Dry Ingredients: Gently fold the whole wheat flour (or gluten-free flour blend) into the wet mixture just until combined. Avoid overmixing to maintain a soft texture. The batter will be thick and slightly sticky.
- Bake to Perfection: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spoon the batter onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing cookies evenly. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are set but centers remain tender.
- Prepare the Salted Maple Frosting: While cookies cool, whisk softened cream cheese with maple syrup and a pinch of flaky sea salt until smooth and fluffy. Adjust saltiness to taste.
- Frost and Enjoy: When cookies are completely cooled, spread a generous layer of the frosting on each cookie. Optionally, sprinkle with extra flaky sea salt or crushed toasted nuts for garnish.
Notes
- Use room temperature eggs and cream cheese for smoother batter and frosting.
- Measure flour by spooning and leveling to avoid dry, dense cookies.
- Remove cookies from oven when edges are set but centers are slightly undercooked to keep them soft.
- Cool cookies completely before frosting to prevent melting.
- Adjust the amount of sea salt in frosting according to your taste preference.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: pumpkin cookies, healthy cookies, salted maple frosting, fall desserts, gluten-free pumpkin, soft cookies, dairy-free frosting
