Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cinnamon Frosting Recipe

If you’ve been on the hunt for the perfect cozy treat to welcome the season, look no further than these Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cinnamon Frosting. These cookies are a dream come true—featuring tender, moist pumpkin-spiced dough that melts in your mouth paired with a decadent, creamy cinnamon frosting that adds just the right amount of warmth and sweetness. Every bite feels like a hug from your favorite sweater, making these cookies an irresistible delight for any pumpkin lover or anyone craving a comforting sweet snack.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cinnamon Frosting lies in its simple, wholesome ingredients. Each one plays a vital role in creating the perfect texture, flavor, and that beautiful autumn hue.

• Vegan butter: Provides rich creaminess and a tender crumb while keeping the cookies moist and soft.
• Pumpkin puree: Adds moisture, natural sweetness, and that unmistakable cozy pumpkin flavor.
• Brown sugar: Brings deep molasses notes and helps keep these cookies wonderfully chewy.
• Granulated sugar: Balances sweetness and promotes a slight crisp edge.
• Vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor and adds a fragrant warmth.
• All-purpose flour: The structure builder, creating that soft yet sturdy base for our cookies.
• Baking powder: Gives a gentle lift, keeping the texture light and fluffy.
• Pumpkin pie spice: The star spice blend that brightens the pumpkin flavor with cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
• Cornstarch: Ensures a velvety, tender crumb by softening the flour’s bite.
• Salt: Balances all the sweetness and enhances the spices beautifully.
• Cinnamon frosting ingredients: Vegan butter, vanilla paste, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, brown sugar, and powdered sugar combine to create a luscious, pipeable frosting full of spice and sweetness.

How to Make Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cinnamon Frosting

Step 1: Cream the Wet Ingredients

Begin by gathering your softened vegan butter, pumpkin puree, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract. Use a stand mixer or hand mixer to cream these together until the mixture turns light and fluffy. This step is crucial because it incorporates air, ensuring a tender final cookie that’s bursting with flavor.

Step 2: Whisk the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, combine your all-purpose flour, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, cornstarch, and salt. Whisking these dry ingredients together evenly distributes the spices and leavening agents, so every cookie gets consistent flavor and rise.

Step 3: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures

Slowly add the dry ingredients to the creamed wet mixture, mixing on low speed just until everything comes together. Avoid over-mixing, as this can make the cookies tough. The dough will be thick and cozy with the perfect hint of spice.

Step 4: Chill the Dough

Cover your dough bowl and pop it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes or overnight if you can wait that long. Chilling the dough helps solidify the fats and melds the flavors, which makes shaping easier and results in beautifully soft, thick cookies.

Step 5: Shape and Bake Cookies

Preheat your oven to 350 °F (177 °C). Scoop out 2-inch balls of dough using a cookie scooper or large spoon. Since these cookies won’t spread much in the oven, gently flatten each ball into a disk before placing them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spaced a couple of inches apart. Bake on the center rack for 10 to 12 minutes, then let them cool completely on the baking sheet. This cooling time allows the cookies to set and develop their signature soft texture.

Step 6: Prepare the Cinnamon Frosting

While the cookies cool, whip up the cinnamon frosting. Beat together softened vegan butter, vanilla paste (or extract), cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, brown sugar, and powdered sugar until smooth and fluffy. This frosting is thick enough to hold its shape when piped but creamy enough to melt on your tongue.

Step 7: Frost the Cookies

Transfer the frosting into a piping bag fitted with Wilton Piping Tip #2A. Starting at the center of each cooled cookie, pipe the frosting outward in a beautiful swirl. Finish by sprinkling a pinch of pumpkin pie spice on top for an extra pop of autumnal spice, and your Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cinnamon Frosting are ready to enjoy!

How to Serve Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cinnamon Frosting

Garnishes

Enhance these cookies by adding a light dusting of cinnamon or a sprinkle of finely chopped toasted pecans on top of the frosting. These subtle garnishes add a lovely crunch and elevate the warm, spiced flavors of the cookies.

Side Dishes

These pumpkin delights pair wonderfully with a warm cup of chai tea or a mug of rich hot apple cider. For those who want a decadent treat, a scoop of vanilla vegan ice cream alongside the cookie creates a delightful dessert fusion.

Creative Ways to Present

For a festive gathering, arrange the Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cinnamon Frosting on a rustic wooden board surrounded by mini pumpkins and autumn leaves. If sharing as gifts, stack them in a clear box tied with a cinnamon stick and natural twine for a charming homemade touch everyone will adore.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once frosted, keep your cookies stored in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay soft and fresh for up to four days—making them perfect for a spontaneous sweet craving anytime.

Freezing

You can freeze the unfrosted cookie dough in a tightly sealed bag for up to three months. When ready, thaw before baking. If you’ve baked and frosted the cookies, freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet first, then transfer to an airtight container, separating layers with wax paper. Thaw in the fridge overnight for best results.

Reheating

If you want that just-baked warmth, gently reheat your cookies in a 300 °F oven for 5 minutes or microwave for 10-15 seconds. This will revive the soft texture and make the cinnamon frosting wonderfully melty again.

FAQs

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Absolutely! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that measures cup-for-cup. Adding a little xanthan gum can help mimic the texture, ensuring your Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cinnamon Frosting stay tender and perfect.

Is pumpkin puree the same as pumpkin pie filling?

No, pumpkin puree is pure cooked and mashed pumpkin without added spices or sweeteners, making it the ideal choice to control flavor in this recipe. Pumpkin pie filling, on the other hand, already contains spices and sweeteners, which can alter the taste.

Can I use regular butter instead of vegan butter?

Yes, regular butter works beautifully and will give a slightly richer flavor. The recipe was designed vegan-friendly, but you can easily swap without any issue.

How long should I chill the dough?

While a minimum of 30 minutes is suggested, chilling overnight enhances flavor and texture. It helps the spices meld and allows for easier shaping, resulting in thicker, softer cookies.

Can I skip the piping and just spread the frosting?

Definitely! If you don’t have a piping bag or tip, a simple knife or spatula spread works perfectly well. It won’t have the fancy swirls, but the cinnamon frosting taste remains just as delicious.

Final Thoughts

These Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cinnamon Frosting are a must-try for anyone who loves warm spices, tender textures, and that irresistible pumpkin charm. Whether you bake them for yourself or share them with loved ones, they bring so much joy and coziness to every bite. Trust me, once you dive into these cookies, they’ll become a favorite fall tradition you’ll look forward to year after year.

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