Jolly Pumpkin Pie Cookies Recipe: Bake Holiday Magic!

Autumn winds whisper sweet promises of comfort when pumpkin pie cookies become the star of weekend baking.

These delectable morsels capture the essence of fall’s warmth in every delightful bite.

Soft, pillowy textures blend perfectly with rich spices that dance across your palate.

Cinnamon and nutmeg weave magic through each tender cookie, creating a nostalgic treat that feels like a warm embrace.

Bakers of all skill levels can easily master this simple yet impressive dessert.

The recipe transforms classic pumpkin pie flavors into a portable, irresistible cookie that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Prepare to fall in love with a new seasonal favorite that celebrates the most delicious time of year.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 194 kcal

Servings: 24

Ingredients for Pumpkin Pie Cookies That Impress

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and tenderness to the delicate cookie dough, selecting unbleached flour ensures the best texture.
• Unsalted Butter: Creates rich, smooth flavor and helps achieve that melt-in-your-mouth consistency, choose high-quality butter for best results.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create crisp cookie edges, opt for fine-grain sugar for smooth mixing.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor profile, use fine sea salt for even distribution.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, deep flavor undertones, choose pure vanilla for most authentic taste.

• Pumpkin Purée: Delivers classic autumn flavor and creamy texture, select 100% pure pumpkin without added spices.
• Brown Sugar: Provides deep caramel-like sweetness and moisture, use dark brown sugar for more intense flavor.
• Ground Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Ginger: Blend warming spices that create quintessential pumpkin pie taste, use freshly ground spices for maximum aroma.
• Egg Yolk: Adds richness and helps bind filling ingredients, choose fresh, room-temperature eggs.

• Whipped Cream or Cream Cheese Frosting: Adds luxurious finishing touch, prepare just before serving to maintain freshness.
• Ground Cinnamon: Light dusting provides extra warmth and visual appeal, sprinkle sparingly.

Tools That Help You Shape and Bake Pumpkin Pie Cookies

• Large mixing bowl: Perfect for creaming butter and sugar, and mixing dough.
• Electric mixer: Essential for creating light, fluffy cookie dough.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Plastic wrap: Needed to chill the cookie dough.
• Small bowl: Used for mixing pumpkin filling ingredients.
• Baking sheet: Provides surface for shaping and baking cookies.
• Parchment paper: Prevents cookies from sticking and ensures easy cleanup.
• Thumb or spoon: Helps create indentations in cookie dough.
• Wire rack: Allows cookies to cool evenly after baking.

How to Bake Pumpkin Pie Cookies With Soft Centers

• Whip Up the Dough

Grab a big mixing bowl and blend softened butter with sugar until the mixture looks super light and airy. Splash in some vanilla for extra flavor. Gradually fold in flour and salt, mixing until a tender dough comes together. Wrap the dough in plastic and chill it in the refrigerator for half an hour.

• Create Pumpkin Magic

In a separate bowl, blend pumpkin purée with brown sugar, warm spices, egg yolk, and vanilla until silky smooth. Let the filling hang out while you prepare the cookies.

• Shape and Fill Cookies

Heat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Roll the chilled dough into small balls and place them on the sheet. Press a gentle indentation into the center of each cookie using your thumb or a spoon. Carefully add a small amount of pumpkin filling into each little well.

• Bake and Enjoy

Pop the cookies into the oven and bake for 12-15 minutes until the edges turn a beautiful golden color. Allow them to cool briefly on the baking sheet, then transfer to a cooling rack. For an extra touch of deliciousness, add a swirl of whipped cream or a sprinkle of cinnamon on top before serving.

Fall Spices and Toppings for Pumpkin Pie Cookies

• Refrigerating dough ensures cookies hold shape and prevents spreading during baking. Cold dough creates firmer, more defined cookie edges.
• Use a small cookie scoop or measuring spoon to create consistent cookie balls, guaranteeing even baking and professional appearance.
• Press indentations carefully to avoid cracking cookie dough. Use rounded spoon back or dampened thumb for smooth, clean centers.
• Use small measuring spoon for precise pumpkin filling placement, preventing overflow and maintaining neat cookie presentation.
• Cookie dough can be prepared 2-3 days in advance and stored in refrigerator, allowing flexible baking schedule for busy home bakers.
• Substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free blend, ensuring same texture and taste for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Replace butter with coconut oil, use flax egg instead of egg yolk, and select plant-based whipped topping for dairy-free version.

Serve Pumpkin Pie Cookies for Thanksgiving Desserts

• Cozy Autumn Dessert Plate: Arrange cookies on a rustic wooden board with cinnamon sticks, scattered whole pecans, and a warm mug of apple cider for a charming seasonal presentation.
• Holiday Gift Idea: Package these cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with twine and a small cinnamon stick, perfect for gifting to friends and neighbors during fall gatherings.
• Pairing Perfection: Serve alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or pair with a warm spiced latte to enhance the rich, seasonal flavors of the pumpkin filling.
• Elegant Finish: Dust the cooled cookies with powdered sugar or drizzle with a light maple glaze to add an extra layer of sweetness and visual appeal.

Storing Pumpkin Pie Cookies for Freshness

• Store cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, keeping their delicate texture and spiced flavor intact.
• Layer cookies between wax paper in a sealed freezer container, where they'll stay fresh for 2-3 months without losing their delightful taste.
• Keep cookies at room temperature in a covered container for 2-3 days, ensuring they remain soft and enjoyable with their pumpkin filling.
• Prepare cookie dough and pumpkin filling separately up to 3 days before baking, storing each component in sealed containers in the refrigerator to maintain optimal freshness and flavor quality.

Festive Pumpkin Pie Cookies Recipe

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4.7 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 25 1x

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Description

Warm spices dance through delightful Pumpkin Pie Cookies, bringing classic autumn flavors into a handheld treat. Crisp edges and creamy centers invite seasonal comfort, promising sweet memories with each delectable bite you’ll savor.

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Ingredients

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• ½ cup (120 g) pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
• 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
• ¼ cup (50 g) brown sugar
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
• ¼ tsp ground ginger
• ¼ tsp salt
• Whipped cream or cream cheese frosting
• A sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg

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Instructions

1. Dough Preparation: Cream butter and sugar using a mixer until airy and pale, then incorporate vanilla extract. Gently fold in flour and salt until a cohesive dough emerges. Encase dough in plastic wrap and chill in refrigerator for half an hour to firm up.
2. Pumpkin Filling Creation: Whisk pumpkin purée with brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, egg yolk, and vanilla extract until silky and uniform. Allow mixture to rest while preparing baking station.
3. Cookie Assembly and Baking: Heat oven to 350°F and line baking sheet with parchment paper. Shape dough into uniform spheres and arrange on sheet. Create gentle indentations in cookie centers using thumb or spoon. Carefully spoon pumpkin filling into each depression. Bake for 12-15 minutes until cookie edges transform to delicate golden hues.
4. Cooling and Finishing: Allow cookies to rest briefly on baking sheet, then transfer to wire cooling rack. Optional: Garnish with dollop of whipped cream or cream cheese frosting, then dust with cinnamon for elegant presentation.

Notes

• Refrigerate the cookie dough for at least 30 minutes to prevent spreading and maintain the cookies’ shape during baking.
• Use exactly ½ teaspoon of pumpkin filling to avoid overflow and ensure a neat, professional-looking cookie.
• Press carefully into the cookie dough to create a shallow well without cracking the edges, using your thumb or the back of a spoon.
• Watch cookies closely during the last few minutes of baking, removing them when edges are just lightly golden to keep them soft and tender.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 25
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 100 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg