Ingredients
Pumpkin Sugar Cookies
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/3 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 cup white sugar
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 large egg
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- Cinnamon, for sprinkling
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the cookies.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the melted butter, pumpkin puree, white sugar, egg, and vanilla extract. Mix thoroughly until the batter is smooth and well incorporated.
- Add dry ingredients: Gradually fold in the all-purpose flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, and salt. Stir until a cookie dough forms with an even consistency.
- Chill the dough: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough for 25 minutes to firm it up and enhance the flavors.
- Shape the cookies: Remove the dough from the fridge and roll it into balls using about 1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons per cookie. Place the dough balls evenly spaced on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, aiming for 12 to 14 cookies.
- Bake the cookies: Put the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 18 minutes or until the cookies are set and lightly golden.
- Prepare frosting: While the cookies bake, beat the softened cream cheese and butter in a medium bowl with an electric mixer until smooth and fully combined. Then, add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, beating again until fluffy. Chill the frosting until the cookies are ready.
- Cool and frost: Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool completely on a wire rack. Once cooled, spread about a tablespoon of cream cheese frosting on each cookie.
- Garnish and serve: Add an extra sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon on top of the frosted cookies for added flavor and decoration. Enjoy your seasonal treat!
Notes
- For best results, make sure the cream cheese and butter are softened before making the frosting to ensure a smooth texture.
- Chilling the dough helps prevent spreading and enhances the cookie’s thickness and texture.
- If you prefer a less sweet frosting, reduce the powdered sugar slightly.
- Store cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- To soften the cookies after refrigeration, warm briefly in the microwave for a few seconds.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
