Whip Up Frosty Pumpkin Cookies: A Sweet Fall Recipe
Sweet autumn whispers dance through the kitchen as these frosted pumpkin delight cookies emerge from the oven, filling the space with warm, nostalgic aromas.
Soft and tender, these delectable treats capture the essence of fall’s most beloved flavors.
Warm spices mingle with creamy pumpkin, creating a delightful cookie that melts in your mouth.
Each bite promises a perfect balance of sweetness and subtle spice.
The delicate cream cheese frosting adds a luxurious finish that makes these cookies irresistible.
Bakers of all skill levels can easily master this simple yet spectacular dessert.
These cookies are sure to become a seasonal favorite that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 22 minutes
Calories: 145 kcal
Servings: 25
What You’ll Need for Frosted Pumpkin Cookies
For Cookie Base:For Frosting Components:For Finishing Touches:Gear Up for Baking Frosted Pumpkin Cookies
How to Bake and Frost Pumpkin Cookies
Mix spice cake mix, pumpkin puree, and eggs until a smooth consistency forms. The blend should feel soft and easily spreadable.
Gently drop spoonfuls onto parchment-lined baking sheets. Space cookies with enough room to prevent touching during baking.
Slide trays into a 350-degree oven. Watch cookies transform golden around edges while centers remain tender. Bake approximately 10-12 minutes.
Remove cookies from oven and let them rest briefly on baking sheets. Transfer to wire rack for complete cooling, allowing texture to settle.
Whip cream cheese and butter until silky smooth. Fold in powdered sugar and vanilla, creating a luxurious cream with perfect spreadable consistency.
Cover each cooled cookie with generous frosting layer. Sprinkle a whisper of cinnamon or pumpkin spice across tops for elegant flavor boost.
Pro Tips for Perfect Frosting & Texture
Presenting Pumpkin Cookies for Dessert or Gifts
How to Store Frosted Pumpkin Cookies Just Right
Print
Festive Pumpkin Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 25 1x
Description
Luscious frosted pumpkin delight cookies blend autumn spices with creamy cream cheese frosting. Warm flavors and delicate textures make these treats perfect for seasonal gatherings when you want something special to share.
Ingredients
- 1 box spice cake mix (15.25 oz / 432 g)
- ½ cup (120 ml / 4 fl oz) pumpkin puree
- 2 large eggs
- 4 oz (113 g) cream cheese, softened
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) unsalted butter, softened
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
- 1 pinch salt
- Ground cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cookie removal.
- Dough Creation: Blend spice cake mix, pumpkin puree, and eggs in a large mixing bowl until a smooth, uniform dough forms, ensuring all ingredients are thoroughly incorporated.
- Shaping and Baking: Scoop dough onto prepared baking sheets, spacing mounds about two inches apart. Gently flatten if desired, then bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are set and centers remain soft, creating perfectly textured cookies.
- Cooling Process: Transfer baked cookies from sheets to a wire rack, allowing them to cool completely to room temperature, which ensures optimal frosting application.
- Frosting Preparation: Whip cream cheese and butter together until creamy, then gradually blend in powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt, mixing until the frosting reaches a silky, spreadable consistency.
- Finishing Touches: Once cookies are completely cooled, generously spread the prepared frosting over each cookie’s surface. Enhance the seasonal appeal by dusting with a light sprinkle of ground cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice for an elegant, autumnal presentation.
Notes
- Measure Precisely: Use exact measurements for consistent cookie texture and flavor, especially with the spice cake mix and pumpkin puree.
- Temperature Control: Let cookies cool completely before frosting to prevent melting and ensure a clean, professional appearance.
- Spacing Technique: Maintain two-inch gaps between cookie dough mounds to allow proper spreading and prevent merging during baking.
- Frosting Finesse: Whip cream cheese and butter until ultra-smooth to create a silky, lump-free frosting that spreads effortlessly on cookies.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 25
- Calories: 145
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 21 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 32 mg
Jessica Martin
Recipe Developer & Food Writer
Expertise
Recipe Development, Food Styling and Photography, Seasonal and Local Ingredients, Vegetarian and Vegan Cuisine, Culinary Education
Education
Portland Community College
Oregon Culinary Institute
Jessica Martin is a talented food writer and recipe creator who specializes in seasonal cooking and approachable home baking.
Educated at Portland Community College with additional pastry training from Oregon Culinary Institute, Jessica’s culinary journey spans nearly a decade of creating and sharing flavorful recipes.
Her deep appreciation for local ingredients shapes each of her recipes, making them both accessible and inspiring. At Beard and Bonnet, Jessica uses her cheerful, down-to-earth writing to help readers effortlessly bring new tastes and creative dishes into their daily routines.