The BEST Soft Pumpkin Cookies

4.36 from 17 votes

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Pumpkin cookies are an easy pumpkin dessert that you and your kids will have as much fun making as eating!

Pumpkin recipes and delicious cookies are some of our favorite things to make; read on and you’ll quickly understand why!

Infogram including baking time and yield for pumpkin cookies.
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About Pumpkin Cookies

Have you ever lost a day, just in the ordinary midst of life?

Soft pumpkin cookied with vanilla icing.
This fall cookie recipe can be made in less than a half-hour.

I’m not proud to admit that it has happened to me.

A plate of food on a table, with Cookie and Pumpkin
These easy homemade cookies are crowned with a simple powdered sugar and vanilla glaze.

Normally it happens when I’m on vacation and away from work, away from the duties of home, and away from life for a bit.

Not yesterday, though.  Somehow the last day of September slipped right past me, like a thief in the night.

Imagine my surprise, my sense of loss, when I was informed this morning shortly after arriving at work that today is the first day of October.

Pumpkin cookies with oozy vanilla frosting on cutting board.

Regardless of the day or the month, these cookies are light and delicious bits of October that can be savored, enjoyed, and dunked on any day of any month.

Plate of pumpkin cookies with a tall glass of milk.
Cookies always taste better with milk, in my humble opinion.

Summer has passed and the beginning of the fall season always brings with it cooler outdoor temps and warmer outdoor colors.

It’s a great time to bring a little color into the kitchen and the cookie jar as well.

These soft, old-fashioned pumpkin cookies fit the bill, perfectly.

pumpiin cookie with a bite taken out of it.

Common questions

Are pumpkin cookies healthy?

This varies by recipe. Using ingredients like whole wheat flour, 100% packed pumpkin, and substituting butter with unsweetened applesauce can make them healthier.

For examples of healthy pumpkin cookies, see these links:
Healthy Pumpkin Cookies Recipe
5-Ingredient Healthy Pumpkin Cookies

How do you store these cookies?

After they have cooled, store in an air-tight container for up to 3 days.
Beyond three days, store in the freezer as described below.

Can you freeze pumpkin cookies?

Pumpkin cookies can be frozen, but just like any other cookie, freeze them individually first to prevent them from sticking together.

Do this by placing them on a cookie sheet, covered with plastic wrap. Freeze the entire tray of cookies and then transfer them into a larger zip lock back to store in the freezer.

These pumpkin cookies will stay good in the freezer from one month to six weeks.


If you love pumpkin recipes and are looking for a main dish idea, try our Savory Pumpkin Gnocchi! (Warning: Have a drool cloth handy)

If you are new to baking or an experienced baker, take a look at our in-house professional chef’s post on how to bake cookies for beginners.  It’s a great review for all!

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Pumpkin Cookies

4.36 from 17 votes
Old-fashioned soft pumpkin cookies recipe that can be ready in under a half-hour! This easy pumpkin dessert is from verybestbaking.com
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 18 minutes
Total: 28 minutes
Yield: 36 cookies

Ingredients 

For the Cookies

  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup butter, 1 stick, softened
  • 1 cup packed pumpkin
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Glaze

  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 tablespoon melted butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 3 tablespoons milk

Instructions 

For the Cookies

  • Preheat oven to 350° F. Grease baking sheets.
  • Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt in medium bowl. Beat sugar and butter in large mixer bowl until well blended. Beat in pumpkin, egg and vanilla extract until smooth. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto prepared baking sheets.
  • Bake for 15 to 18 minutes or until edges are firm. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely. Drizzle Glaze over cookies.

For the Glaze

  • Combine glaze ingredients in small mixing bowl, stir till smooth and creamy.

Nutrition

Calories: 121kcal, Carbohydrates: 22g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 3g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 12mg, Sodium: 91mg, Potassium: 38mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 15g, Vitamin A: 1156IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 12mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Fall, Halloween
Tried this recipe?Mention @plattertalk or tag #plattertalk!
Updated from the original post of October 1, 2014

Meet the Platter Talk Guys

Dan & Scott split their time between Wisconsin and Southwest Florida and are dads to six boys. Good food runs through their veins, and they love showing others how to cook easy recipes.

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4.36 from 17 votes (8 ratings without comment)

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29 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    These cookies are simple and the results are an amazing, soft fluffy cookie. Instead of nutmeg, I used a tsp of pumpkin pie spice. Everyone i had try this recipe have loved it.

    1. Thank you for the great feedback, Trinity! We’re happy that you enjoy these pumpkin cookies and hope you will share our site and recipes with your friends and family!

  2. I have weakness for old recipes and ofcourse, cookies and this look absolutely brilliant. Cinnamon and nutmeg… Oh, my! I can visualise and almost taste the warmth of these spices coming through in these cookies.

  3. 5 stars
    There’s just something about pumpkin this time of year that puts a smile on everyone’s face. I bet these won’t disappoint and will surely be my go-to cookie for this month’s staff party!! They look absolutely delicious!

  4. 5 stars
    I’ve neevr made pumpkin cookies, but it looks like I’m going to have them for my Halloween breakfast :-).

  5. You got me worried for a moment then, I was just reading this post and you said the last day of September had past you by… I genuinely had to check my calendar ๐Ÿ˜ฎ

    Superb sound recipe and lovely photos!

  6. Hello gentlemen! This looks so amazing. Pinned. We couldn’t think of anyone better to party with. We hope to see you tomorrow at 7 pm.
    Happy Sunday! Lou Lou Girls

  7. Thanks so much Dan for sharing this delicious old fashioned soft pumpkin cookie recipe this week on Foodie Friends Friday. My family loves home baked cookies, I will definitely make these this fall season. Pinned/shared.

    Look forward to seeing you again with another delicious recipe.

    Joanne