Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cinnamon Frosting – Light, Fluffy & Perfect for Fall

🖋️ Written by Emma

If the thought of biting into a warm, soft pumpkin cookie topped with sweet cinnamon frosting makes your heart skip a beat, you’re in for a treat. These Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cinnamon Frosting are everything fall dreams are made of—lightly spiced, perfectly soft, and bursting with pumpkin flavor. They’re like little pillows of autumn bliss, and the frosting? That’s the cozy sweater that ties it all together.

Baking these cookies fills your kitchen with the scent of pumpkin spice and cinnamon, instantly putting you in a fall mood. Whether you’re hosting a seasonal gathering or just want a cozy afternoon snack, these cookies are the perfect way to welcome autumn.

Looking for more cozy fall treats? Try our Easy Apple Casserole or Healthy Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte for the ultimate pumpkin pairing.

Emma

Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cinnamon Frosting

These Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cinnamon Frosting are fluffy, lightly spiced, and bursting with pumpkin flavor. Topped with a sweet cinnamon cream cheese frosting, they’re the ultimate fall treat that fills your kitchen with cozy aromas.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 12 minutes mins

Total Time 27 minutes mins

Servings: 24 cookies

Course: Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American

Calories: 170

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1-2 tbsp milk (as needed)

Equipment

• mixing bowls
• electric mixer
• measuring cups and spoons
• whisk
• baking sheets
• parchment paper
• spatula

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice.
3. In a large bowl, cream together butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Beat in pumpkin puree, egg, and vanilla extract until combined.
5. Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until a soft dough forms.
6. Drop spoonfuls of dough onto prepared sheets and bake 10–12 minutes, until edges are set.
7. Cool cookies completely before frosting.
8. In a bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth.
9. Add powdered sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla; beat until fluffy.
10. Add milk as needed to reach desired frosting consistency.
11. Spread frosting generously over cooled cookies.

Notes

For best results, use room temperature ingredients to ensure a smooth batter. Do not overbake—these cookies should remain soft in the center. For extra fall flavor, add a pinch of nutmeg to the dough. Cookies can be stored unfrosted in an airtight container for up to 3 days, or frozen for up to 2 months.

How to Make Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cinnamon Frosting

Ingredients for the Cookies:

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Ingredients for Cinnamon Frosting:

• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1–2 tbsp milk (as needed)

Steps to Prepare Soft Pumpkin Cookies

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice.
3. In a large bowl, cream butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Beat in pumpkin puree, egg, and vanilla until combined.
5. Gradually mix in dry ingredients until a soft dough forms.
6. Drop spoonfuls of dough onto prepared sheets and bake 10–12 minutes, until edges are set.
7. Cool completely before frosting.

How to Make the Cinnamon Frosting

1. In a bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth.
2. Add powdered sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla; mix until fluffy.
3. Adjust consistency with milk if needed.
4. Spread generously over cooled cookies.

Why These Soft Pumpkin Cookies Are Perfect for Fall

• Light and fluffy texture that melts in your mouth.
• Balanced pumpkin spice flavor that isn’t overpowering.
• Frosting made with cinnamon and cream cheese for a sweet, tangy finish.

Tips for the Best Pumpkin Cookies

• Use room temperature ingredients for a smoother batter.
• Don’t overbake—these cookies should stay soft in the center.
• For extra fall flavor, add a pinch of nutmeg.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve with a hot cup of Healthy Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte.
• Pair with Easy Apple Casserole for a fall dessert spread.
• Add them to a Halloween dessert table alongside Chocolate Strawberry Cake.

FAQs – Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cinnamon Frosting

Conclusion

These Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cinnamon Frosting are the perfect balance of warm spices, tender texture, and sweet creamy topping. They’ll make your home smell amazing and your taste buds even happier.

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