Baking cookies can fill your home with warmth and happiness. These Pumpkin Sugar Cookies offer a delightful way to enjoy fall flavors with a simple, accessible recipe. You can whip up a batch for a cozy evening, a festive gathering, or just because you want a sweet treat! Don’t worry if you’re new to baking; this recipe is easy to follow and will help you create delicious cookies that everyone will love.
Why You’ll Love This Sweet Treat
These Pumpkin Sugar Cookies stand out for their soft texture and the wonderful flavor of pumpkin and spices. This recipe is perfect for beginners because it uses straightforward techniques. Mixing, rolling, and baking all come together easily.
You can bake these cookies at any time of the year, but they feel especially festive during autumn celebrations. Plus, they look beautiful with a sprinkle of sugar on top!
How to Make Pumpkin Sugar Cookies
Making Pumpkin Sugar Cookies is enjoyable and straightforward. You start by whisking dry ingredients together in one bowl. In another, mix butter and sugar until fluffy. Then, you’ll combine everything, chill the dough, and roll it into balls. After baking them for just a short time, you’ll have warm cookies ready to enjoy. It’s a delightful process that will boost your confidence in the kitchen!
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups sugar + more for rolling
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
14 TBSPS unsalted butter (1 3/4 stick at room temperature)
2 tsps vanilla extract
1 egg yolk
1/2 cup 100% pure pumpkin puree
Directions:
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Set aside.
- With your mixer on medium, mix together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Mix in the egg yolk, then the vanilla, then the pumpkin, until well combined.
- Slowly mix in the flour mixture until well combined, using your mixer on low. Scrape down the paddle and the bowl sides as needed.
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and refrigerate the cookie dough for 20 minutes.
- Roll the dough into one-inch balls. Roll in sugar. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet or silicone mat and press down slightly. Space the cookies about two inches apart.
- Bake for 15 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through.
- Let cool in the pan for about 2 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to finish cooling.

Best Way to Serve Pumpkin Sugar Cookies
These cookies taste amazing when served warm right out of the oven. You can also enjoy them at room temperature. They make a great dessert for a weeknight family dinner, or you can pack them in a lunchbox for a sweet treat. A glass of milk or a warm cup of tea pairs nicely with these cookies, making every bite comforting and delightful.
How to Store Pumpkin Sugar Cookies
To keep your cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay tasty for about a week. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them. Just place them in a freezer bag or a container, and they can last up to three months. When you’re ready to eat them, let them thaw at room temperature or warm them up in the microwave for a few seconds.
Tips to Make Pumpkin Sugar Cookies
- Make sure your butter is at room temperature for an easier mixing process. It should feel soft but not melted.
- Don’t skip chilling the dough! This step helps the cookies maintain their shape while baking.
- For perfectly baked cookies, look for a light golden color on the edges but soft in the middle. They will firm up as they cool.
Variations
- Add chocolate chips to the dough for a sweet twist.
- Substitute the vanilla extract with almond extract for a different flavor.
- For a spicier version, add a pinch of nutmeg or ginger to the flour mixture.
FAQs
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the dough and refrigerate it for a day before baking. Just remember to chill it again for about 20 minutes before rolling.
Can I freeze this recipe?
Absolutely! You can freeze the cookie dough or the baked cookies. Just be sure they are wrapped well to prevent freezer burn.
What can I use instead of pumpkin puree?
If you don’t have pumpkin puree, you can use applesauce as a substitute. This will give the cookies a similar moisture level.
Conclusion
Pumpkin Sugar Cookies offer sweet warmth and comfort with every bite. This easy recipe helps you build confidence in your baking skills while producing delicious results. The combination of sugar, pumpkin, and warm spices creates a wonderful treat, making it a perfect choice for any occasion. Enjoy making and sharing these delightful cookies!
I’d love to hear how your Pumpkin Sugar Cookies turned out! Please leave a comment with your thoughts or any fun ideas you tried. If you know someone who enjoys baking, share this recipe with them too. Explore more beginner-friendly recipes for delicious desserts that everyone can enjoy!
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Pumpkin Sugar Cookies
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delightful cookies that bring the flavors of fall with soft texture and warm spices, perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups sugar + more for rolling
- 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 14 TBSPS unsalted butter (1 3/4 stick at room temperature)
- 2 tsps vanilla extract
- 1 egg yolk
- 1/2 cup 100% pure pumpkin puree
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Set aside.
- With your mixer on medium, mix together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Mix in the egg yolk, then vanilla, then pumpkin until well combined.
- Slowly mix in the flour mixture until well combined, with your mixer set to low. Scrape down the paddle and the sides of the bowl as necessary.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and refrigerate the cookie dough for 20 minutes.
- Roll the dough into one inch sized balls. Roll in sugar. Place on a parchment lined baking sheet or silicone mat and press down slightly. Space the cookies about two inches apart.
- Bake for 15 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through the baking.
- Let cool on the pan for about two minutes before moving to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Notes
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. They can be frozen for up to three months.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 15mg









