Description

Melt In Your Mouth Pumpkin Cookies are soft, tender, and moist pumpkin-spiced treats that capture the cozy spirit of fall. They combine pumpkin puree with warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves for a perfectly balanced flavor and a delicate crumb that melts with every bite. Easy to make with pantry staples, these cookies are ideal for seasonal celebrations, school lunches, or casual indulgence, pleasing both kids and adults alike.

Ingredients

Scale

Wet Ingredients

1 cup pure pumpkin puree
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Dry Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

Sugar

1 cup brown sugar, packed

Optional Add-ins

1/2 cup semi-sweet or white chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Instructions

Prep Your Ingredients: Gather all your ingredients and preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to ensure cookies bake evenly and don’t stick.
Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat unsalted butter with brown sugar until light and fluffy. This process traps air, contributing to the cookie’s tender texture.
Incorporate Wet Ingredients: Add pumpkin puree and vanilla extract to the butter mixture, mixing until well combined. This adds moisture and flavor depth.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. This ensures even spice distribution throughout the dough.
Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to maintain a soft cookie structure. If using, fold in chocolate chips or nuts gently at this stage.
Scoop and Bake: Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to drop dollops of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until edges are slightly golden but centers remain soft.
Cool and Enjoy: Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. This helps them set while staying tender inside.

Notes

Use room temperature butter for a creamier dough texture.
Do not overmix the dough to prevent tough cookies.
Measure flour carefully by scooping and leveling to avoid dense dough.
Chill the dough in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before baking to enhance flavor and prevent spreading.
Remove cookies when edges are set but centers look slightly underbaked for optimal softness.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cookie
Calories: 120
Sugar: 10g
Sodium: 95mg
Fat: 5g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Unsaturated Fat: 2g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 18g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 1g
Cholesterol: 15mg

Keywords: pumpkin cookies, fall cookies, soft pumpkin cookies, pumpkin spice cookies, melt in your mouth cookies