Name: Pumpkin Almond Flour Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 3 h 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup unsalted butter, softened; 1½ cups powdered (Confectioners) sugar; 1 cup pumpkin purée; 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract; a drop of annatto seed oil or orange food coloring (optional); 1 teaspoon salt; 1¼ teaspoon cinnamon; ½ teaspoon allspice; 2¼ cups all-purpose flour; ½ cup almond flour; 1½ tablespoon corn starch (if necessary, to reduce stickiness); about ⅓ cup Honey Roasted Almond Slices or other almond slices

Jump to Recipe·4 from 57 reviews

If you are looking for a truly delightful treat that captures the essence of fall in every bite, this Pumpkin Almond Flour Cookies Recipe is about to become your new favorite. These cookies are wonderfully soft, with a gentle pumpkin flavor complemented by warm spices and the delicate crunch of almond slices on top. The beauty of this recipe lies not only in its scrumptious taste but also in its approachable method that turns simple pantry staples into a cozy, harvest-inspired snack perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The image shows many small round dough balls with a light brown color placed on brown parchment paper. Each dough ball has six evenly spaced shallow cuts on top, making a pattern like a pumpkin. A large, slightly rusted knife with a wooden handle is gently touching one of the dough balls, positioned diagonally from top to bottom. The background surface is not visible beyond the parchment paper. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Gathering these ingredients is a breeze, and each plays a crucial role in building the unique flavor, texture, and color that make this Pumpkin Almond Flour Cookies Recipe so special. From the creamy butter to the fragrant spices and the mix of flours, everything comes together to create that perfect soft cookie with a subtle nutty note.

Unsalted butter: Softened butter ensures a tender crumb and rich flavor.
Powdered (Confectioners) sugar: Gives the cookies a melt-in-your-mouth sweetness without graininess.
Pumpkin purée: Adds moisture, color, and that unmistakable pumpkin taste.
Pure vanilla extract: Provides depth and warmth to the flavor profile.
Salt: Enhances and balances the sweetness and spices.
Cinnamon: The quintessential spice that pairs perfectly with pumpkin.
Allspice: Adds a subtle, intriguing warmth and complexity.
Annatto seed oil or orange food coloring: Optional, for enhancing the vibrant pumpkin color.
All-purpose flour: Forms the structural base of the cookies.
Almond flour: Infuses a delicate nutty flavor and keeps the texture tender.
Corn starch: Helps adjust dough consistency if it feels too sticky to shape.
Honey Roasted Almond Slices: The perfect crunchy topping that mimics a pumpkin stem.

How to Make Pumpkin Almond Flour Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Baking Sheets

Start by lining two baking sheets with parchment paper. This simple step prevents sticking and helps the cookies bake evenly, making cleanup a breeze.

Step 2: Make the Batter

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar until the mixture is lighter in color and very smooth. Then, stir in the pumpkin purée, vanilla extract, salt, cinnamon, and allspice until everything is perfectly blended. If you want a more vibrant hue, gently add a drop or two of annatto seed oil or orange food coloring. Finally, fold in the almond flour and all-purpose flour until just combined. If the dough feels too sticky to handle, sprinkle in some corn starch to firm it up.

Step 3: Shape the Dough

Take approximately 1½ tablespoons of dough and roll it into smooth balls using your palms. Arrange them gently on one of the prepared baking sheets, placing them close together. Once shaped, cover the sheet tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least three hours. This chilling step is crucial for firm cookies that will maintain their shape beautifully while baking.

Step 4: Preheat the Oven

When you’re ready to bake, set your oven to 350°F. Preheating ensures the cookies bake evenly and develop that lovely golden bottom you’re aiming for.

Step 5: “Decorate” the Cookies

Remove the chilled dough balls from the fridge. Using the back of a paring knife, gently press about seven vertical lines around each ball, all converging at the top center to create the signature “pumpkin” look. Transfer the decorated dough balls to the second prepared baking sheet, spacing them at least an inch apart to allow room for gentle expansion. Don’t forget to space out the remaining balls on the original sheet as well.

Step 6: Bake

Place the cookies in the preheated oven and bake until the bottoms are slightly golden and the tops feel dry to the touch, usually around 15 minutes. This timing keeps them soft but just set enough to hold their shape.

Step 7: Add Almond Slices and Cool

Right after removing the cookies from the oven and while they’re still warm, press a few honey roasted almond slices into the top center of each cookie where the “lines” meet. This not only adds a delightful crunch but also mimics the pumpkin stem, adding charming visual appeal. Use almond slices with the skin on for the outer edges of the stem for authenticity. Let the cookies cool completely before serving.

How to Serve Pumpkin Almond Flour Cookies Recipe

The image shows many small round sweets shaped like pumpkins, placed closely together on a white marbled surface. Each sweet has a light brown color with textured grooves that go from the top to the sides, mimicking pumpkin ridges. On the top center of each pumpkin-shaped sweet is a single almond, standing upright. Thin brown lines, resembling sticks or threads, spread across the surface under and around the sweets. The sweets create a warm, cozy, and inviting look. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

For an inviting presentation, consider sprinkling a touch of cinnamon sugar on top before serving to enhance the spices already in the cookies. You can also drizzle a little melted dark chocolate for a decadent touch that pairs wonderfully with the nutty almond flavor.

Side Dishes

These cookies are fantastic alongside a steaming mug of chai tea, black coffee, or a creamy latte. Their moist texture and warm spices make them a perfect fall afternoon snack or a sweet finish to any meal.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve these pumpkin beauties on a rustic wooden board with clusters of cinnamon sticks and little pumpkins around to set a cozy seasonal vibe. Alternatively, stack them up on a cake stand for a festive fall party centerpiece everyone will gush over.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After baking, let the cookies cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container. They will keep wonderfully fresh at room temperature for up to 4 days, maintaining their soft texture and full flavor.

Freezing

If you want to enjoy these cookies later, freeze the unbaked dough balls after shaping and chilling by placing them on a baking sheet in the freezer. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. When ready to bake, simply thaw in the fridge overnight before decorating and baking as usual.

Reheating

To warm up the cookies, pop them in a preheated oven at 300°F for about 5 minutes or microwave for 10–15 seconds. This will soften the cookies and refresh their comforting pumpkin spice aroma.

FAQs

Can I use canned pumpkin purée for this recipe?

Absolutely! Canned pumpkin purée works perfectly and provides consistent moisture and flavor, making it an ideal choice for this Pumpkin Almond Flour Cookies Recipe.

What if I don’t have almond flour? Can I substitute it?

While almond flour adds a lovely richness, you can swap it for additional all-purpose flour, but the cookies might lose some of their nutty flavor and tenderness that the almond flour brings.

Why do I need to refrigerate the dough for three hours?

Chilling the dough firms it up, which helps the cookies keep their shape and develop those charming pumpkin lines during baking. It also allows the flavors to meld beautifully.

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

To make this recipe gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that measures cup-for-cup. Make sure the blend contains xanthan gum for best results.

Are these cookies suitable for a holiday gift?

Definitely! These festive Pumpkin Almond Flour Cookies are perfect for gifting. Pack them in a pretty box or jar and watch how quickly they disappear at holiday gatherings.

Final Thoughts

Now that you have this incredible Pumpkin Almond Flour Cookies Recipe in your culinary toolkit, I highly encourage you to give it a try and share the warmth and joy these cookies bring with your loved ones. Their cozy flavors and tender texture make them a standout treat that’s as fun to make as it is to eat. Happy baking and pumpkin-spiced snacking!