Description
Delight in these tender and flavorful Simple Pumpkin Pie Cookies, combining the warm autumn flavors of pumpkin pie spice and creamy pumpkin purée with a soft, buttery cookie base. Perfect for fall gatherings or cozy afternoons, these cookies offer a delightful twist on traditional pumpkin pie that’s easy to bake and enjoy.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- 3 oz cream cheese (room temperature)
- 6 oz unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 1 large egg yolk (room temperature)
- 1/4 cup pumpkin purée
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice
- 1/2 tsp salt
Sweeteners
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (plus extra coarse sugar for coating)
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, beat the room temperature cream cheese and unsalted butter together until creamy and smooth. Gradually add the granulated and brown sugars and continue mixing until the mixture is fluffy. Incorporate the egg yolk and vanilla extract, beating well to combine.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, pumpkin pie spice, and salt to evenly distribute the spices and salt throughout the flour.
- Form Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until fully combined to avoid overworking the dough. Finally, fold in the pumpkin purée until evenly incorporated.
- Shape Cookies: Roll the dough into one-inch balls. To add a sparkling finish and slight crunch, coat each ball in coarse sugar before placing them spaced apart on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for about 14 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden but the centers remain soft.
- Cool: Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes, then transfer them to wire racks to cool completely before serving.
Notes
- Use room temperature ingredients to ensure proper mixing and texture.
- Coating cookies in coarse sugar gives an attractive sparkle and a slight crunch.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate to extend freshness.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute cream cheese and butter with plant-based alternatives.
- Adjust pumpkin pie spice quantity if you prefer a more or less spiced cookie.
