Fall has arrived, and nothing captures the essence of the season quite like freshly baked pumpkin cookies with cream cheese icing. These delightful treats combine the warm, comforting flavors of pumpkin spice with the rich, tangy sweetness of cream cheese frosting that melts in your mouth. As someone who has perfected this recipe over countless autumn seasons, I can assure you that these pumpkin cookies with cream cheese icing will become your family's new favorite tradition.
What makes these pumpkin cookies with cream cheese icing truly special is their incredibly soft texture and the perfect balance of spices that complement the pumpkin beautifully. The cream cheese icing adds that extra touch of indulgence that transforms simple cookies into an irresistible dessert. Whether you're hosting a fall gathering or simply craving something sweet and seasonal, these pumpkin cookies with cream cheese icing deliver every single time.
The Perfect Fall Cookie That Everyone Craves
The magic behind these exceptional pumpkin cookies with cream cheese icing lies in the careful selection of ingredients and the technique that creates their signature soft, cake-like texture. Unlike many pumpkin cookie recipes that can turn out dry or lacking in flavor, this version uses real pumpkin puree combined with the perfect blend of warm spices to create cookies that are moist, flavorful, and absolutely irresistible. The secret is in achieving the right balance between the pumpkin base and the spices, ensuring that every bite delivers the authentic taste of fall.
What truly sets these pumpkin cookies with cream cheese icing apart from other fall desserts is the luxurious cream cheese frosting that crowns each cookie. This isn't just any ordinary icing; it's a carefully crafted blend of cream cheese, butter, and powdered sugar that creates a smooth, tangy-sweet topping that perfectly complements the spiced pumpkin base. The contrast between the warm spices in the cookie and the cool, creamy frosting creates a flavor experience that's both comforting and sophisticated, making these pumpkin cookies with cream cheese icing suitable for everything from casual family gatherings to elegant holiday parties.
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Ingredients
- Fresh pumpkin puree
- All-purpose flour
- Brown sugar
- White sugar
- Butter
- Large eggs
- Vanilla extract
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Ground cinnamon
- Ground nutmeg
- Ground ginger
- Ground cloves
- Cream cheese
- Powdered sugar
- Milk
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Prepare the Cookie Dough
- Preheat your oven and line baking sheets with parchment paper
- Cream together butter and both sugars until light and fluffy
- Beat in eggs, vanilla extract, and pumpkin puree until well combined
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and all spices
Combine and Bake
- Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined
- Drop rounded spoonfuls of dough onto prepared baking sheets
- Bake until the edges are set but centers still look slightly soft
- Cool completely on wire racks before frosting
Make the Cream Cheese Icing
- Beat softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and fluffy
- Gradually add powdered sugar, beating until well combined
- Add vanilla extract and enough milk to achieve desired consistency
- Spread or pipe frosting onto completely cooled cookies
Equipment For Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Icing
- Large mixing bowls
- Electric mixer or stand mixer
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper
- Wire cooling racks
- Cookie scoop or spoon
- Offset spatula for frosting
Expert Cooking Tips
- Use room temperature ingredients for the best texture and easier mixing
- Don't overmix the dough to keep pumpkin cookies with cream cheese icing tender
- Chill the dough for 30 minutes if it seems too soft to handle
- Test for doneness by lightly touching the center; it should spring back slightly
- Allow cookies to cool completely before adding frosting to prevent melting
- Store frosted cookies in a single layer to maintain their appearance
Recipe Variations
- Add chocolate chips or white chocolate chips to the cookie dough
- Mix in chopped pecans or walnuts for extra texture and flavor
- Create pumpkin cookies with cream cheese icing using different spice blends like chai or apple pie spice
- Make mini cookies for bite-sized treats perfect for parties
- Add orange zest to both the cookies and frosting for a citrus twist
- Create sandwich cookies by putting frosting between two unfrosted cookies
Storage
- Store unfrosted cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week
- Freeze unfrosted cookies for up to three months in freezer-safe containers
- Keep frosted pumpkin cookies with cream cheese icing in the refrigerator for up to five days
- Layer frosted cookies between parchment paper to prevent sticking
- Bring refrigerated frosted cookies to room temperature before serving for best flavor
- Freeze frosted cookies on a tray first, then transfer to containers once solid
Bakery-Style Secrets for Ultimate Success
The key to achieving bakery-quality pumpkin cookies with cream cheese icing lies in understanding the science behind the perfect texture and flavor balance. Professional bakers know that the secret to incredibly soft, cake-like cookies is using the right ratio of wet to dry ingredients and not overbaking them. The cookies should look slightly underdone when you remove them from the oven, as they'll continue cooking on the hot pan for a few minutes after removal.
Another professional secret for exceptional pumpkin cookies with cream cheese icing is the temperature of your ingredients and the timing of your frosting application. Always ensure your cream cheese and butter are at true room temperature before making the frosting, as this creates the smoothest, most professional-looking finish. The frosting should be applied only after the cookies have cooled completely, and for the best presentation, use an offset spatula to create smooth, even layers that look just like those from your favorite bakery.
FAQ
How long can cookies with cream cheese frosting sit out?
Cookies with cream cheese frosting should not sit out at room temperature for more than 2 hours due to food safety concerns. The cream cheese in pumpkin cookies with cream cheese icing contains dairy that can spoil quickly when left unrefrigerated. For longer storage, keep these frosted cookies in the refrigerator where they'll stay fresh and safe to eat for several days while maintaining their delicious flavor.
What are the common mistakes when baking pumpkin cookies?
The most common mistakes include using too much flour which creates dry cookies, overbaking which results in hard textures, and adding frosting to warm cookies. When making pumpkin cookies with cream cheese icing, ensure you measure ingredients accurately, remove cookies while centers are still soft, and cool completely before frosting. Using fresh spices and proper pumpkin puree consistency also prevents common texture and flavor issues.
Do you need to refrigerate pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting?
Yes, any baked goods with cream cheese frosting must be refrigerated after 2 hours at room temperature for food safety. This applies to all cream cheese-frosted desserts including pumpkin cookies with cream cheese icing. The dairy in cream cheese can harbor harmful bacteria when left at room temperature too long. Refrigeration keeps these treats safe while preserving their texture and delicious taste for several days.
Do you have to refrigerate baked goods with cream cheese frosting?
Absolutely, all baked goods containing cream cheese frosting require refrigeration for food safety and quality. Whether you're storing pumpkin cookies with cream cheese icing or other frosted treats, the cream cheese component makes refrigeration mandatory. This prevents spoilage and maintains the frosting's smooth texture. Properly stored frosted baked goods will stay fresh and safe in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Your Fall Baking Adventure Continues
These perfect pumpkin cookies with cream cheese icing represent just the beginning of your fall baking journey. The combination of warm spices, tender texture, and luxurious frosting creates a cookie that embodies everything we love about autumn flavors. Once you master this recipe, you'll find yourself returning to these pumpkin cookies with cream cheese icing again and again throughout the season, whether for family gatherings, holiday parties, or simply to satisfy your own cravings for something special.
As you continue exploring the world of fall baking, consider trying our 3 Secret Steps to Perfect Maple Cookie Magic for another seasonal favorite that pairs beautifully with these pumpkin treats. For those who enjoy year-round classics, our Easy Chocolate Pinwheel Cookies Recipe offers an elegant option that's perfect for any occasion. Both recipes complement the techniques you've learned here, and together, these three recipes will give you a wonderful foundation for creating memorable homemade cookies that bring joy to everyone who tastes them. The skills you've developed making pumpkin cookies with cream cheese icing will serve you well in all your future baking adventures.
From my kitchen, with heart.
Emily Nelson ❤️
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pumpkin cookies with cream cheese icing
Equipment
- 2 Large mixing bowls One for wet, one for dry ingredients
- 1 Electric mixer or stand mixer For creaming butter and frosting
- 1 set Measuring cups and spoons
- 2 Baking sheets Lined with parchment paper
- 1 roll Parchment paper
- 2 Wire cooling racks For cooling cookies
- 1 Cookie scoop or spoon To portion dough
- 1 Offset spatula For spreading icing
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup Pumpkin puree Fresh or canned
- 2 cups All-purpose flour
- ½ cup Brown sugar Packed
- ½ cup White sugar
- ½ cup Butter Softened
- 2 Large eggs Room temperature
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon Baking powder
- 1 teaspoon Baking soda
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon Ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon Ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon Ground cloves
Cream Cheese Icing
- 4 oz Cream cheese Softened
- ¼ cup Butter For icing
- 2 cups Powdered sugar For icing
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract For icing
- 2–3 tablespoon Milk Adjust consistency
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Cream the softened butter with brown and white sugar until fluffy using an electric or stand mixer.
- Add eggs, pumpkin puree, and vanilla extract. Mix until fully combined.
- In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and all spices.
- Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, folding until just combined.
- Use a cookie scoop or spoon to drop dough onto prepared baking sheets.
- Bake for 12 minutes or until set. Transfer to cooling racks to cool completely.
- For icing: Beat cream cheese and butter together until smooth.
- Add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk. Whip until smooth and fluffy.
- Once cookies are cool, spread icing over the tops with an offset spatula.
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