Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting

Name: Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 24
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon; 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened; 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar; 1 cup canned pumpkin puree; 1 large egg; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 4 ounces cream cheese, softened; 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened; 2 cups powdered sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

These pillowy pumpkin cookies topped with tangy cream cheese frosting are the ultimate fall treat.

By Enzo81 Kitchen· American· October 25, 2026

Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting

easy.enzo81.xyz

Prep

20 minutes

Cook

15 minutes

Total

35 minutes

Serves

When the leaves start changing color, I always crave these soft pumpkin cookies. They have the perfect amount of warm spice and a texture that feels like a little cloud in your mouth.

The cream cheese frosting is the real secret here. It cuts through the sweetness of the cookie and makes them taste just like a bakery treat you can make in your own kitchen.

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup canned pumpkin puree
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

8Instructions

1
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2
Whisk the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt together in a medium bowl.
3
In a separate large bowl, beat the 1/2 cup butter and sugar together until creamy. Add the pumpkin, egg, and vanilla, then mix until smooth.
4
Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined.
5
Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto your prepared baking sheets. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the edges are just set.
6
Let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack before you start the frosting.
7
To make the frosting, beat the cream cheese and butter together until fluffy. Slowly mix in the powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth.
8
Spread a generous dollop of frosting onto each cooled cookie.

Tips

Store these cookies in an airtight container in the fridge because of the cream cheese frosting. They stay soft and delicious for up to three days. You can also sprinkle a little extra cinnamon on top for a pretty presentation.

#dessert #fall recipes #cookies #vegetarian #pumpkin

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