The smell of warm, spiced cookies dancing through the air is enough to make anyone weak in the knees. If you have ever experienced the delightful aroma of Thanksgiving pumpkin sugar cookies with cream cheese frosting wafting through your home, you know exactly what I mean. cozy dinner ideas These cookies are not just a treat but a nostalgic journey that transports you straight to cozy gatherings filled with laughter and joy.
Picture this: family members gathered around, each one trying to sneak a cookie while pretending to help with dinner preparations. You can almost taste the sweet richness of pumpkin paired perfectly with creamy frosting—it’s pure bliss! These cookies are perfect for holiday parties, cozy nights by the fire, or any occasion that calls for a sprinkle of joy and sweetness. perfect pairing with pumpkin flavors.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- These Thanksgiving pumpkin sugar cookies are easy to prepare and require minimal ingredients
- The flavor profile balances sweet pumpkin and aromatic spices, creating a comforting experience
- Their vibrant orange hue adds visual delight to any dessert table
- They are versatile; enjoy them fresh or frozen for later enjoyment
I still remember the first time I made these cookies. My friend brought over her famous recipe for Thanksgiving, and we spent the evening laughing and baking together, filling our kitchen with warmth and deliciousness. For more inspiration, check out this espresso chocolate chip cookies recipe.
Essential Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious dish: hearty comfort food dish.
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Pumpkin Puree: Use canned puree for convenience or roast fresh pumpkins if you’re feeling adventurous.
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Granulated Sugar: This will sweeten your cookies and create that perfect texture.
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Brown Sugar: A must for added moisture and a rich flavor.
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Butter: Ensure it’s softened for easy creaming with sugars.
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Eggs: Adds moisture and binds everything together beautifully.
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All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of your cookie dough.
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Baking Powder & Baking Soda: A dynamic duo that helps your cookies rise perfectly.
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Cinnamon & Nutmeg: These spices give your cookies that quintessential autumn flavor.
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Salt: Just a pinch enhances all the flavors!
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Cream Cheese: For frosting, it adds tanginess and creaminess that complements pumpkin wonderfully. For more inspiration, check out this cream cheese wontons recipe.
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Vanilla Extract: A dash brings all the flavors together harmoniously.
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Powdered Sugar: Essential for making that dreamy frosting smooth and sweet.
The full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.
Let’s Make it Together
Preheat Your Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures your cookies bake evenly from the get-go.
Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, cream together softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. The mixture should be pale in color—this means you’re on the right track!
Add Pumpkin and Eggs: Mix in pumpkin puree and eggs until fully incorporated. You want this mixture to be smooth like a fall breeze.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. This step is crucial; it ensures even distribution of all those wonderful flavors.
Mix Dry into Wet: Gradually add dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; we want soft cookies here!
Scoop and Bake: Using a cookie scoop or spoon, drop dough onto lined baking sheets about two inches apart. Bake for 12-15 minutes until edges are lightly golden but centers remain soft.
Prepare Cream Cheese Frosting: While cookies cool down (if you can resist), beat cream cheese with powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth. The result should be creamy perfection!
Now comes the best part: frost those cooled cookies generously with cream cheese frosting! You can even get fancy with sprinkles if you’re feeling festive.
And there you have it—Thanksgiving pumpkin sugar cookies with cream cheese frosting that will make everyone swoon! Enjoy them fresh out of the oven or pack them up as delightful gifts for friends or family. keto-friendly appetizers.
In conclusion, these scrumptious treats not only celebrate fall but also bring joy to every gathering. So go ahead: bake up a batch (or three), gather loved ones around, and let the memories unfold!
You Must Know
- These Thanksgiving pumpkin sugar cookies with cream cheese frosting are a delightful twist on classic flavors, perfect for holiday gatherings
- Their soft texture and sweet cream cheese topping will leave everyone craving more
- The warm aroma of spices fills the kitchen, creating a cozy atmosphere
Perfecting the Cooking Process
Start by creaming the butter and sugars until light and fluffy. This ensures your cookies are perfectly tender. While that’s happening, mix your dry ingredients separately to keep everything organized and efficient.
Add Your Touch
Consider adding chocolate chips or nuts for a sweet crunch. You could also experiment with different spices like nutmeg or ginger to elevate the flavor profile.
Storing & Reheating
Store your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. For reheating, pop them in the microwave for just 10-15 seconds to refresh their softness.
Chef's Helpful Tips
- When measuring flour, spoon it into the measuring cup and level off for accuracy
- Always chill your dough briefly before baking for thicker cookies
- Try using room temperature butter for better blending with sugars and spices
One Thanksgiving, I brought these cookies to dinner, and my cousin claimed they were “better than pie.” Now, I have to make them every year—no pressure or anything!
FAQ
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can refrigerate the dough overnight before baking.
What if I don’t have cream cheese?
You can substitute with Greek yogurt or mascarpone cheese for similar results.
How do I achieve a soft cookie texture?
Ensure you don’t overbake them; they should look slightly underdone when removed from the oven.
Thanksgiving Pumpkin Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: About 24 servings 1x
Description
Thanksgiving pumpkin sugar cookies with cream cheese frosting are a delightful treat that encapsulates the warmth of the holiday season. Soft, spiced cookies topped with creamy frosting make for a perfect dessert at family gatherings, cozy nights, or festive occasions. With their inviting aroma and comforting flavors, these cookies are sure to become a beloved tradition in your home.
Ingredients
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened (for frosting)
- 2 cups powdered sugar (for frosting)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (for frosting)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large bowl, cream together softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Mix in pumpkin puree and eggs until smooth.
- In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture until just combined.
- Drop dough onto lined baking sheets about two inches apart and bake for 12–15 minutes until edges are golden but centers remain soft.
- For frosting, beat cream cheese with powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth.
- Frost cooled cookies generously with cream cheese frosting.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie (30g)
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 80mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: <1g
- Protein: <1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
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