Pumpkin Cookies With Cream Cheese Icing: A Fall Favorite You’ll Love

Bursting with warm spices and topped with a dreamy cream cheese frosting, these cookies are the perfect cozy treat for crisp autumn days. Whether you're sipping on a latte or planning a seasonal get-together, these cookies will be the highlight of any moment.

With simple ingredients and an easy-to-follow process, you’ll be whipping up these bakery-worthy delights in no time. Ready to indulge in the ultimate fall flavor experience? Let’s dive in!

Main Ingredients for Pumpkin Spice Cake Cookies

To create these irresistibly soft and flavorful pumpkin spice cake cookies, you’ll need a combination of simple, pantry-friendly ingredients that come together to bring out the rich, warm flavors of fall. Here's what you'll need:

For the cookies:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (room temperature): The key to achieving soft, tender cookies. Be sure the butter is at room temperature so it blends smoothly with the sugars.
• 1 cup granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a slightly crisp edge on the outside of the cookies.
• 1/2 cup brown sugar: This ingredient brings a touch of molasses richness and chewiness, enhancing the depth of the pumpkin and spices.
• 1 egg: Acts as a binder, giving structure to the cookies while keeping them soft and cake-like.
• 1 cup pumpkin purée: The star of this recipe! Pumpkin not only adds flavor but also keeps the cookies moist. Make sure you use pure pumpkin purée and not pumpkin pie filling.
• 3 cups all-purpose flour: A sturdy base that supports the pumpkin and spices while ensuring the cookies have the perfect texture.
• 1 teaspoon baking powder: Gives the cookies their cake-like lift, ensuring they rise properly in the oven.
• 1/2 teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the flavor of the spices and pumpkin.
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger: A warm spice that adds a hint of zest and complements the other flavors beautifully.
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon: Classic fall flavor! Cinnamon is essential for that cozy, spicy aroma.
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg: Just a pinch of nutmeg provides a deeper, slightly nutty warmth that rounds out the spice blend.

For the icing:

• 1 tub (8 oz) Philadelphia Cream Cheese Icing: Convenient and delicious, this premade icing has a smooth, creamy texture with a subtle tang that perfectly complements the pumpkin spice flavor.
• Ground cinnamon (for sprinkling, optional): A light dusting of cinnamon on top of the icing adds a final aromatic touch, making these cookies as visually inviting as they are delicious.

These simple ingredients come together to create cookies that are soft, full of cozy pumpkin spice flavor, and topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting. You won’t believe how easy it is to bake up such a delightful fall treat!

Easy Preparation Instructions for Pumpkin Spice Cookies

Before starting, preheat your oven to 350°F to ensure even baking right from the start.

Step 1: Preparing the Cookie Dough

Begin by making the cookie dough. In a large mixing bowl, cream together 1/2 cup of unsalted butter with 1 cup of granulated sugar and 1/2 cup of brown sugar. The mix of sugars creates a rich sweetness with a slight chewiness. Make sure your butter is at room temperature for smooth blending.

Add 1 large egg, beating it in until fully incorporated to bind the dough and keep it light. Then, mix in 1 cup of pumpkin purée. The pumpkin brings delicious flavor and a moist, cake-like texture.

Step 2: Adding the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, sift together 3 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of ground ginger, 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon of ground nutmeg. Sifting helps evenly distribute the ingredients and removes any lumps.

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the pumpkin mixture, stirring gently to avoid over-mixing. You want a smooth dough with spices well blended in, giving each cookie that warm pumpkin spice flavor.

Step 3: Shaping and Baking the Cookies

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Using a spoon or cookie scoop, drop portions of dough onto the sheet, leaving a bit of space between each one to allow them to spread while baking.

Bake for 17-20 minutes at 350°F, keeping an eye on them. Look for light golden edges with soft, tender centers. When done, let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack.

Step 4: Icing the Cookies

Once your cookies are fully cooled, it’s time to add the Philadelphia Cream Cheese Icing. Spread a layer of the premade cream cheese icing over each cookie using a spatula or knife.

Step 5: Adding the Final Touch

For a festive touch, sprinkle a pinch of ground cinnamon on top of the iced cookies. This adds both visual appeal and an extra hint of warm spice.

Serve these pumpkin spice cookies immediately, or store them in an airtight container for later. They’re perfect to enjoy with coffee or to share at a cozy fall gathering!