Description

Cozy and flavorful Pumpkin-Spice Sugar Cookies combining classic sugar cookie dough with pumpkin puree and warm autumn spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Perfectly soft and tender, these cookies are ideal for fall gatherings, gifting, or a comforting seasonal treat.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free blend for gluten-free option)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

Wet Ingredients

1/2 cup pumpkin puree (canned or fresh)
3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened (or dairy-free butter for vegan option)
1 large egg (or flaxseed egg for vegan option)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Sugars

1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar

Optional Mix-ins

White chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or candied ginger (quantity as desired)

Instructions

Prepare Your Ingredients: Gather and measure all ingredients, including spices and pumpkin puree, ensuring smooth workflow.
Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves to evenly distribute the spices.
Cream Butter and Sugars: Using a mixer, cream softened butter with granulated and brown sugars until light and fluffy, creating a tender cookie base.
Add Wet Ingredients: Incorporate the egg, vanilla extract, and pumpkin puree into the butter mixture until smooth and aromatic.
Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually mix dry ingredients into the wet mixture until a cohesive, soft dough forms.
Chill the Dough: Wrap dough tightly in plastic wrap and chill for at least one hour to firm up for easier handling.
Roll and Cut: On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to about 1/4 inch thickness and use cookie cutters or shape into rounds as desired.
Bake: Place cookies on parchment-lined baking sheets and bake in preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-12 minutes until edges are lightly golden.
Cool and Decorate: Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely before decorating with icing, sprinkles, or enjoying plain.

Notes

Use room temperature butter for smoother mixing and lighter texture.
Mix dough only until combined to avoid tough cookies.
Chill dough thoroughly to prevent spreading and help maintain cookie shapes.
Utilize fresh ground spices for best aroma and flavor.
Line baking sheets with parchment paper to avoid sticking and ensure even baking.
Cookies can be stored in airtight containers at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Dough and baked cookies freeze well; wrap dough tightly and freeze up to 3 months.
Reheat cookies briefly (10 seconds microwave or 5 minutes at 300°F in oven) to refresh softness before serving.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cookie
Calories: 150
Sugar: 12g
Sodium: 90mg
Fat: 7g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 20g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 2g
Cholesterol: 30mg

Keywords: pumpkin spice, sugar cookies, fall dessert, autumn cookies, pumpkin cookies, sugar cookie recipe, seasonal baking