Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and you know what that means: it’s time to whip up some Thanksgiving Pumpkin Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting. Imagine sinking your teeth into a soft, spiced cookie, perfectly balancing sweetness with a hint of pumpkin and a velvety cream cheese topping. pumpkin wild rice soup recipe stuffed mini pumpkins for Thanksgiving Just thinking about it makes my taste buds do a happy dance. For more inspiration, check out this Thanksgiving Pumpkin Crème Brûlée recipe.
These cookies are not just any holiday treat; they are the kind of cookies that bring back childhood memories of my grandmother’s kitchen, where the air was always filled with laughter and the sweet scent of baked goods. Perfect for holiday gatherings, cozy evenings by the fire, or even a cheeky midnight snack. Get ready to impress your family and friends with these delightful little bites of joy!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- These Thanksgiving Pumpkin Sugar Cookies are simple to make and require minimal effort
- The flavors meld beautifully, creating a perfect balance of spice and sweetness
- They look stunning on any dessert table with their inviting color and creamy frosting
- Ideal for festive gatherings or cozy nights at home
I still remember the first time I brought these cookies to a family gathering; everyone had that “where have you been all my life?” expression.
Essential Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious dish:
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All-Purpose Flour: A classic choice for cookies; ensure it’s fresh for the best texture.
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Pumpkin Puree: Use canned or homemade puree; just ensure it’s 100% pure pumpkin.
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Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the dough and helps create that delightful cookie texture.
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Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and a hint of caramel flavor that pairs beautifully with pumpkin.
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Baking Powder: Provides lift, ensuring your cookies have that perfect chewy texture.
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Cinnamon: A warm spice essential for that comforting autumn flavor.
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Nutmeg: Just a pinch adds depth to the cookie’s flavor profile.
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Eggs: Binds everything together for a smooth dough.
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Butter: Use unsalted butter for better control over saltiness; it enhances richness.
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Cream Cheese: The star of our frosting; choose full-fat for the creamiest consistency.
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Vanilla Extract: A splash adds warmth and enhances all the flavors in both cookie and frosting.
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Powdered Sugar: Sweetens our frosting while giving it that lovely silky finish.
The full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.
Let’s Make it Together
Preheat Your Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures your cookies bake evenly right from the start.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Whisk them together until well blended; this creates an aromatic base for your cookies.
Cream Butter and Sugars Together: In another bowl, beat softened butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar until fluffy. You want this mixture to be light in color—think clouds!
Add Pumpkin and Eggs: Stir in pumpkin puree and eggs until fully incorporated. The mixture should look like fall in a bowl—vibrant and inviting.
Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gently fold your dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Be careful not to overmix; we want those cookies tender!
Scoop and Bake Cookies: Drop spoonfuls of dough onto lined baking sheets about two inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are lightly golden but centers are still soft.
Make Cream Cheese Frosting: While cookies cool, beat cream cheese, butter, vanilla extract, and powdered sugar together until smooth. This frosting is so good you might want to eat it straight from the bowl!
Frost Your Cookies!: Once your cookies are cool to touch (and you’re resisting frosting them immediately), spread a generous layer of cream cheese frosting on each one—don’t be shy!
Now sit back as everyone praises your baking prowess—maybe even get ready for requests to bring more next year!
These Thanksgiving Pumpkin Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting will surely become a cherished tradition in your home! pumpkin cupcakes for the holiday. creamy mashed potatoes for Thanksgiving.
You Must Know
- These Thanksgiving Pumpkin Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting are a delightful treat, blending soft textures with spices that warm the soul
- The aroma of baking cookies fills your kitchen, making it feel like a cozy autumn afternoon spent with loved ones
Perfecting the Cooking Process
Start by creaming butter and sugar first, then gradually add pumpkin and dry ingredients for optimal flavor integration.
Add Your Touch
Feel free to mix in chocolate chips or nuts for added texture and flavor. A sprinkle of cinnamon on top adds extra warmth!
Storing & Reheating
Store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. Reheat briefly in the microwave if needed.
Chef's Helpful Tips
- For perfect cookies, chill your dough for 30 minutes before baking to enhance flavor and prevent spread
- Always bake on parchment paper for easy removal and minimal cleanup
- If frosting stiffens, beat in a little milk to soften before spreading
Baking these cookies always brings back fond memories of family gatherings filled with laughter and sweet aromas wafting through the air.
FAQ
How long do these cookies stay fresh?
These cookies last up to five days in an airtight container at room temperature.
Can I freeze these pumpkin sugar cookies?
Yes, you can freeze them for up to three months; just make sure they are well-wrapped.
What can I substitute for cream cheese frosting?
You can use buttercream or glaze as a delicious alternative to cream cheese frosting.
Thanksgiving Pumpkin Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 24 cookies 1x
Description
Thanksgiving Pumpkin Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting are a delightful seasonal treat that perfectly combines the warmth of spices with the lusciousness of cream cheese frosting. These soft, spiced cookies evoke cherished memories and create new ones at any festive gathering. With their inviting color and rich flavor, they are sure to impress family and friends alike. Bake a batch to enjoy during cozy evenings or share them as a sweet surprise!
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- In another bowl, beat butter with granulated and brown sugars until fluffy.
- Mix in pumpkin puree and egg until well combined.
- Gradually fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture without overmixing.
- Drop spoonfuls of dough onto lined baking sheets, spacing them two inches apart.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are golden but centers remain soft.
- For frosting, beat cream cheese, butter, vanilla extract, and powdered sugar until smooth.
- Once cookies cool, generously frost each cookie.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie (30g)
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 60mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
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