Irresistible Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies Recipe

The Perfect Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies Recipe For Fall Baking

Irresistible pumpkin cheesecake cookies bring autumn’s warmest comfort right into your kitchen.

These delectable treats blend creamy, rich textures with seasonal spices that dance across your palate.

Soft and pillowy, they promise a delightful twist on traditional cookie expectations.

Each bite combines the silky smoothness of cheesecake with the hearty essence of pumpkin.

Subtle hints of cinnamon and nutmeg weave through the dough, creating a harmonious flavor profile that feels both familiar and exciting.

Home bakers and dessert enthusiasts will appreciate the straightforward technique required to craft these magical morsels.

Indulge in a sweet experience that reinvents ordinary afternoons into extraordinary moments.

Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies That Blend Richness and Spice

  • Burst with Seasonal Warmth: These cookies capture the cozy essence of autumn with rich pumpkin and warm spices, making every bite feel like a comforting hug.
  • Surprise Inside Delight: The hidden cheesecake center creates an unexpected creamy surprise that transforms an ordinary cookie into a gourmet treat, delivering excitement with each magical bite.
  • Foolproof Baking Adventure: Perfect for bakers of all levels, this recipe offers simple steps and forgiving techniques that guarantee delicious results without complicated skills or professional training.

What Goes Into Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies

Wet Ingredients:
  • Butter, Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Provide sweetness and rich, soft texture with creamy base for cookie dough.
  • Pumpkin Puree: Adds moisture, autumn flavor, and beautiful orange color to the cookies.
  • Egg, Egg Yolk: Bind ingredients together and create tender, soft cookie texture.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with warm, sweet undertone.
  • Cream Cheese: Creates smooth, tangy cheesecake filling with rich texture.
Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and helps cookies hold their shape.
  • Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and become light and fluffy.
  • Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor profile.
  • Pumpkin Pie Spice: Delivers classic autumn spice blend with warm, complex flavor.
Optional Garnish:
  • Powdered Sugar: Can be used for light dusting to add visual appeal and extra sweetness.

Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies: Instructions for Soft Bites

Step 1: Whip Up the Cookie Base

In a large mixing bowl, blend butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until they transform into a fluffy cloud-like mixture. Add pumpkin puree, egg, and vanilla extract, mixing until the batter looks smooth and inviting.

Step 2: Create the Dry Ingredient Blend

In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, salt, and pumpkin pie spice. Gently fold these dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.

Step 3: Craft the Creamy Cheesecake Center

Using an electric mixer, whip cream cheese until silky smooth. Incorporate sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla extract, blending until the mixture looks rich and creamy.

Step 4: Shape Your Cookie Masterpieces

Scoop out generous tablespoon-sized cookie dough balls. Create a small well in the center of each ball. Carefully spoon the cheesecake filling into each indentation. Lovingly wrap the cookie dough around the filling, sealing it completely.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place cookies with ample space between them. Bake for 12-15 minutes until the edges turn a beautiful golden brown.

Step 6: Cool and Enjoy

Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let them cool completely.

Tips to Keep Pumpkin Cookies from Drying Out

  • Chill the Dough: Refrigerate cookie dough for 30 minutes before shaping to prevent spreading and enhance flavor concentration.
  • Seal Carefully: Pinch cookie dough edges completely to prevent cheesecake filling from leaking during baking.
  • Measure Precisely: Use exact measurements for pumpkin puree and spices to maintain perfect moisture and flavor balance.
  • Control Temperature: Allow cream cheese to soften at room temperature for smooth, lump-free cheesecake filling.
  • Space Strategically: Leave 2 inches between cookies on baking sheet to ensure even baking and prevent merging.

Storage Tips for Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies

  • Refrigerate: Place cooled cookies in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper. Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days to maintain freshness and prevent moisture buildup.
  • Freeze: Wrap individual cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months, preserving their delicious cheesecake and pumpkin flavors.
  • Reheat: Thaw frozen cookies in the refrigerator overnight. Warm briefly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or let them sit at room temperature for soft, delectable texture.

What Tastes Great with Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies

  • Cozy Autumn Coffee Companion: Pair these warm, spiced pumpkin cheesecake cookies with a rich, smooth caramel latte. The creamy coffee enhances the cookie's subtle pumpkin notes and complements the cheesecake filling perfectly.
  • Spiced Chai Tea Delight: Brew a hot, fragrant chai tea with cinnamon and cardamom to match the cookie's warm spices. The tea's complex flavor profile beautifully balances the sweet, creamy cookie texture.
  • Vanilla Bean Ice Cream Treat: Serve the slightly warm cookies alongside a scoop of creamy vanilla bean ice cream. The cold, smooth ice cream creates a delightful contrast to the soft, spiced cookie, making each bite a heavenly experience.
  • Dessert Wine Pairing: Select a sweet late-harvest Riesling or moscato to accompany these indulgent cookies. The wine's subtle sweetness and light fruitiness will highlight the pumpkin and cheesecake flavors without overwhelming them.

Customize Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies Your Way

  • Spiced Maple Pecan Cookies: Swap some sugar with maple syrup and fold in chopped pecans for a rich, nutty autumn flavor. Add a sprinkle of extra pumpkin pie spice for warmth.
  • Chocolate Swirl Cheesecake Cookies: Mix cocoa powder into half the cookie dough and create a marbled effect when filling with cheesecake mixture. Drizzle melted dark chocolate on top after cooling.
  • Cream Cheese Glaze Version: Skip the internal cheesecake filling and instead create a tangy cream cheese glaze to drizzle over baked cookies. Dust with cinnamon sugar for extra sweetness.
  • Caramel Stuffed Option: Replace cheesecake filling with a small caramel cube inside each cookie. Sprinkle sea salt on top after baking for a decadent sweet-salty combination.
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Irresistible Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies Recipe

Irresistible Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies Recipe


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4.6 from 33 reviews

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 24 1x

Description

Pumpkin cheesecake cookies blend autumn’s warmth with creamy indulgence. Spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, these homemade treats offer a delightful twist on classic fall desserts that invite you to savor seasonal comfort.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 2 ¼ cups (270 grams) all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup (170 grams) unsalted butter, softened
  • ½ cup (120 grams) pumpkin puree
  • ¾ cup (165 grams) brown sugar
  • 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, softened

Spices and Seasonings:

  • 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt

Sweet Additions and Binding Ingredients:

  • ¼ cup (50 grams) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ cup (50 grams) granulated sugar (for cheesecake filling)
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (for cheesecake filling)

Instructions

  1. Whip the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar in a mixing bowl until airy and voluminous, creating a smooth, pale base for the cookie dough.
  2. Incorporate the pumpkin puree, egg, and vanilla extract into the butter mixture, stirring until the ingredients meld into a uniform, vibrant orange batter.
  3. In a separate vessel, sift together the flour, baking soda, salt, and pumpkin pie spice, ensuring a lump-free dry ingredient blend.
  4. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, gently stirring until just combined to maintain the cookie dough’s delicate texture.
  5. For the cheesecake filling, vigorously beat the cream cheese until silky and free of lumps, creating a luxurious base.
  6. Blend the sugar, egg yolk, and vanilla extract into the cream cheese, whisking until the filling becomes smooth and glossy.
  7. Using a cookie scoop, form uniform dough balls and create a small well in the center of each.
  8. Carefully spoon the cheesecake filling into the wells, then tenderly encase the filling by folding the cookie dough around it, ensuring a complete seal.
  9. Warm the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  10. Arrange the filled cookies on the prepared sheet, spacing them to allow for slight spreading during baking.
  11. Bake for 12-15 minutes, watching for golden-brown edges and a slightly set appearance.
  12. Remove from the oven and let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up.
  13. Transfer the cookies to a wire rack, allowing them to cool completely and develop their full flavor profile.

Notes

  • Chill the cookie dough for 30 minutes before shaping to prevent spreading and maintain the perfect texture.
  • Use room temperature cream cheese and butter for smoother, easier mixing and a more consistent filling.
  • Handle the cheesecake filling gently to keep it creamy and prevent cracking during baking.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days to maintain their fresh, soft texture.
  • Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with melted white chocolate for an extra elegant touch before serving.
  • Choose full-fat cream cheese for the richest, most decadent cheesecake filling possible.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 24
  • Calories: 210
  • Sugar: 10 g
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Fat: 12 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 25 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 50 mg
Alex Reed

Alex Reed

Founder & Lead Content Writer

Expertise

Recipe Development and Testing​, Culinary Education​, Food Writing and Blogging​, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Global Cuisine Exploration

Education

Johnson & Wales University

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and contemporary cooking techniques, kitchen management, and menu development. Emphasized hands-on experience in diverse culinary traditions.​

Le Cordon Bleu Paris

  • Program: Diplôme de Cuisine
  • Focus: Advanced instruction in French culinary techniques, including sauce preparation, pâtisserie, and haute cuisine.​

Alex Reed is an inventive chef and food creator with a passion for dishes that balance taste, health, and sustainability. 

Trained at Portland Community College and holding an Advanced Pastry Arts certificate from Oregon Culinary Institute, Alex brings more than 10 years of practical culinary experience to every recipe he develops. 

His background uniquely blends traditional cooking skills with modern, mindful eating principles. As the founder of Beard and Bonnet, Alex creates recipes that encourage readers to cook confidently.

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