Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cinnamon Frosting Recipe

If you are on the lookout for a cozy, irresistible treat that brightens up any afternoon or festive occasion, these Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cinnamon Frosting are your new best friend. Picture tender, moist pumpkin-infused cookies topped with a luxuriously smooth cinnamon frosting that melts in your mouth. Every bite is a perfect harmony of warm spices and gentle sweetness, making these cookies a standout dessert that feels both comforting and a little bit special. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or simply craving a seasonal hit, this recipe brings that homemade magic right to your kitchen.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this recipe plays a crucial role, combining simple pantry staples and seasonal flavors to create the perfect texture and taste in your Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cinnamon Frosting. From the creamy vegan butter to the rich pumpkin puree and fragrant spices, these ingredients deliver both flavor and that stunning autumnal color.

• Vegan butter: Provides a creamy base that makes the cookies soft and rich without dairy.
• Pumpkin puree: Brings moisture, natural sweetness, and that lovely pumpkin flavor we adore.
• Brown sugar: Adds depth and caramel-like notes enhancing the overall warmth.
• Granulated sugar: Balances sweetness and helps cookies hold their shape.
• Vanilla extract: Infuses gentle, rounded aromatics for a perfect flavor foundation.
• All-purpose flour: The structural backbone creating tender, soft cookies.
• Baking powder: Ensures a light, fluffy texture by helping the cookies rise.
• Pumpkin pie spice: A magical blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves that highlights the autumn spirit.
• Cornstarch: Keeps the cookies incredibly tender by softening the structure.
• Salt: Enhances all the sweet and spicy flavors, balancing the taste beautifully.
• Vanilla paste or extract (for frosting): Elevates the cinnamon frosting with a real vanilla hit.
• Cinnamon (for frosting): Adds warmth that perfectly complements the pumpkin.
• Powdered sugar: Creates the silky, sweet frosting that crowns each cookie gorgeously.

How to Make Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cinnamon Frosting

Step 1: Cream the Wet Ingredients

Begin by whipping together the softened vegan butter, pumpkin puree, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract. Use a stand mixer or hand mixer until the mixture becomes incredibly light and fluffy. This step builds the perfect creamy base that makes your cookies so soft and rich.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk the all-purpose flour, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, cornstarch, and salt. These dry ingredients provide the structure, lift, and signature pumpkin spice warmth. Whisking well ensures the spices are evenly distributed throughout the dough.

Step 3: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures

Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed just until combined. It’s important not to over-mix here; this keeps the cookies tender instead of tough. Once everything is blended into a cohesive dough, you’re almost ready to bake.

Step 4: Chill the Dough

Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or overnight. Chilling is key for these Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cinnamon Frosting because it helps the flavors meld and prevents excessive spreading when baked. Don’t skip this step!

Step 5: Shape and Bake

Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Scoop 2-inch balls of dough, then gently press each ball into a disk shape before placing them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. This shaping is necessary because the dough won’t spread much during baking. Bake on the center rack for 10–12 minutes until the edges are just set; then, let them cool completely on the sheet.

Step 6: Prepare the Cinnamon Frosting

While the cookies cool, whip the frosting ingredients—vegan butter, vanilla paste, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, brown sugar, and powdered sugar—until smooth and creamy. The frosting is the crowning glory, perfectly balancing the pumpkin’s earthiness with sweet warmth.

Step 7: Frost and Finish

Fill a piping bag fitted with a Wilton #2A tip with the cinnamon frosting. Pipe lovely spirals onto each cooled cookie, starting at the center and working outward. For an extra festive touch, sprinkle a pinch of pumpkin pie spice over the frosting, then marvel at your beautiful batch before indulging.

How to Serve Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cinnamon Frosting

Garnishes

These delightful Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cinnamon Frosting truly shine with simple garnishes that enhance their cozy vibe. A light dusting of extra cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice straight on the frosting adds a delicate punch of spice. For a subtly crunchy contrast, consider sprinkling finely chopped pecans or walnuts on top right after piping.

Side Dishes

Serve these cookies alongside a warm beverage like chai tea, spiced latte, or vegan hot chocolate to create a dreamy autumn or winter treat. For holiday gatherings, they pair wonderfully with a dollop of coconut whipped cream or alongside a slice of dairy-free apple pie to amp up the festive flavors.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, offer your Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cinnamon Frosting on a rustic wooden platter adorned with cinnamon sticks, small pumpkins, and autumn leaves for that charming farmhouse-style look. For a gift, stack them in a pretty box with parchment paper or display them in mini cellophane bags tied with twine, making a sweet and thoughtful homemade surprise.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep your leftover Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cinnamon Frosting fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay soft and delicious for up to 3 days. If you refrigerate the cookies, let them come to room temperature before serving to enjoy their full supple texture.

Freezing

These cookies freeze beautifully either with or without the frosting. To freeze unfrosted dough balls, place them on a tray until firm, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. For baked cookies, freeze in a single layer with parchment paper between them. Thaw completely before adding the frosting, or freeze frosted cookies carefully wrapped to avoid damage.

Reheating

To refresh chilled or frozen cookies, warm them briefly in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 5 minutes. This revives their softness without melting the frosting if already applied. Alternatively, gently microwave a single cookie for 10 seconds to get that freshly baked feel.

FAQs

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Absolutely! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend that includes xanthan gum, and the cookies will still come out delightfully soft and tasty. Just ensure your baking powder is gluten-free as well.

Is pumpkin puree necessary or can I use canned pumpkin spice mix instead?

Pumpkin puree is essential for the moisture and authentic pumpkin flavor in these cookies. While canned pumpkin pie spice can add flavor, it cannot replace the moisture and texture that puree brings, so it’s best used only as part of your spice mix.

Can I use regular butter instead of vegan butter?

You can swap in regular butter if you prefer. The cookies will still be wonderfully soft and tasty, but using vegan butter makes this recipe accessible for those avoiding dairy.

How can I make the cinnamon frosting less sweet?

To tone down the sweetness, reduce the powdered sugar in the frosting slightly and increase the cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice for a bolder spice profile. Adding a pinch of salt can also balance the sweetness nicely.

Why is chilling the dough important?

Chilling the dough ensures that the cookies hold their shape better while baking and enhances the flavor. It also helps the vegan butter firm up, so your Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cinnamon Frosting have that perfect tender crumb and texture.

Final Thoughts

There is something truly special about a cookie that captures the essence of fall in every bite, and these Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cinnamon Frosting do just that with warmth, spice, and incredible softness. Baking this recipe is like sharing a cozy hug on a cool day, and once you try them, they will become a delicious staple in your seasonal baking repertoire. So grab your mixing bowl and get ready to create a batch of happiness that everyone will ask for again and again!

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