Name: Pumpkin Spice Sugar Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 2 h 27 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 1/2 cups (312 g) all-purpose flour; 1/2 teaspoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon ground salt; 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1 ½ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice; 14 Tablespoons (198 g) unsalted butter, room temperature; ¾ cups (150 g) granulated sugar, plus more for rolling; ½ cup (100 g) packed light brown sugar; 1 egg yolk, room temperature; 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract; ½ cup (125 g) 100% pure pumpkin puree

Jump to Recipe· 3.9 from 53 reviews

If you are craving a treat that perfectly captures the cozy flavors of fall, you have to try this Pumpkin Spice Sugar Cookies Recipe. These cookies combine the warm spices of pumpkin pie spice with the sweet, buttery goodness of classic sugar cookies, resulting in soft, tender bites bursting with autumnal charm. Whether you’re baking for a holiday gathering or just to indulge yourself with some comforting flavors, this Pumpkin Spice Sugar Cookies Recipe is bound to become your go-to for seasonal cheer.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The image shows four steps of mixing cookie dough in clear glass bowls placed on a white marbled surface. In the first step, dry ingredients in a powdery light tan color fill the bowl with a metal whisk inside. The second step shows creamy butter and orange pumpkin puree being mixed with an electric hand mixer, with the cream and pumpkin creating a thick, smooth layer in the bowl. The third step adds flour to the creamy pumpkin mixture, with the dry white powder sitting on top while the electric mixer is ready to blend. The fourth step shows the finished dough, a smooth, thick, and slightly rough mixture in a medium brown color, being stirred with a white spatula in the bowl. The photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

These ingredients are simple and pantry-friendly, yet they come together to create a cookie that’s bursting with flavor, soft texture, and just the right hint of spice and sweetness. Each ingredient plays a special role in turning ordinary sugar cookies into fall-inspired delights.

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour: Provides the perfect structure while keeping the cookies tender and soft.
1/2 teaspoon baking powder: Gives a gentle lift to keep the cookies from being too dense.
1/2 teaspoon ground salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness beautifully.
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon: Adds a warm, comforting note that complements pumpkin.
1 ½ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice: The star seasoning that brings all those signature fall flavors together.
3/4 cup granulated sugar plus extra for rolling: Sweetens the cookies and creates a slightly crisp exterior when rolled in sugar.
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar: Adds moisture and a rich, caramel-like depth to the cookies.
14 tablespoons unsalted butter (room temperature): Makes the cookies rich, buttery, and soft.
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract: Deepens the flavor with its sweet, fragrant aroma.
1 egg yolk (room temperature): Helps bind the dough and keeps the texture smooth and delicate.
1/2 cup 100% pure pumpkin puree: Infuses every bite with natural pumpkin flavor and moistness.

How to Make Pumpkin Spice Sugar Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Whisk Dry Ingredients

Start by mixing together the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice in a large bowl. This ensures all the spices and leavening agents are evenly distributed, giving your cookies consistent flavor and texture.

Step 2: Beat Butter and Sugars

Using an electric mixer, beat the butter with the granulated and brown sugars on medium-high speed until the mixture is light and fluffy—about 3 minutes. This step is key to creating cookies that are soft but have a lovely crumbly texture.

Step 3: Mix in Wet Ingredients

Add the egg yolk, vanilla extract, and pumpkin puree to the butter and sugar mixture. Blend everything together well, making sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to incorporate all ingredients evenly.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures

Slowly add your flour and spice mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix just until combined—you want the dough to be smooth but avoid over-mixing to keep your cookies tender.

Step 5: Chill the Dough

Cover your cookie dough and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours. This chilling step helps the dough firm up, which prevents the cookies from spreading too much while baking and enhances the overall flavor.

Step 6: Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet

Preheat your oven to 350℉ and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This will ensure your cookies bake evenly and don’t stick.

Step 7: Scoop and Roll Dough

Remove the chilled dough from the refrigerator. Using a medium cookie scoop, form balls of dough. Roll each one generously in granulated sugar before placing them spaced out on your baking sheet – this technique gives the cookies a sparkling, crunchy exterior.

Step 8: Bake Cookies

Bake your cookies at 350℉ for about 12 minutes. The edges should be set while the centers remain soft. Allow them to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps the cookies set without losing their softness.

How to Serve Pumpkin Spice Sugar Cookies Recipe

The image shows a stack of three light golden brown biscuits in the center, with a soft and slightly crumbly texture on top. Around the stack, there are several more biscuits scattered, all similarly colored with subtle cracks and a rough, homemade look. A cluster of wooden measuring spoons lies next to the stack on a surface that has a white marbled texture. The background is softly blurred but filled with more biscuits, giving a warm and cozy feeling. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

You can keep these cookies beautiful and simple, or add a sprinkle of powdered sugar or a light drizzle of white chocolate for an elegant touch. Adding a tiny pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg on top before baking can also enhance their spiced aroma.

Side Dishes

These Pumpkin Spice Sugar Cookies pair wonderfully with a hot cup of chai tea, coffee, or even warm apple cider, making them perfect for your autumnal snack time or festive parties.

Creative Ways to Present

For a stunning presentation, stack the cookies tied with a rustic twine or place them in a festive tin lined with parchment paper. You can also sandwich a dollop of cream cheese frosting between two cookies for a delightful twist!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh and soft for up to 3 days, making it easy to enjoy this Pumpkin Spice Sugar Cookies Recipe long after baking.

Freezing

If you want to prepare in advance, you can freeze the cookie dough balls before baking. Place them on a tray, freeze until firm, then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake straight from frozen, adding a couple of minutes to the baking time.

Reheating

To freshen up leftover cookies, warm them in a low oven (about 300℉) for 5 minutes. This will revive their softness and bring out the wonderful aroma of pumpkin spice all over again.

FAQs

Can I use canned pumpkin pie filling instead of pumpkin puree?

It’s best to use pure pumpkin puree rather than pumpkin pie filling because the latter contains added spices and sweeteners that could alter the recipe’s balance.

How do I make the cookies more chewy?

For chewier cookies, slightly underbake them by reducing the baking time by one or two minutes and make sure to use brown sugar which adds moisture.

Can I substitute the butter with oil?

Butter is key for texture and flavor here, so swapping it with oil might result in greasier, less flavorful cookies. However, you could try half butter and half oil if needed.

Do these cookies freeze well after baking?

Yes! Fully baked cookies can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Just thaw them at room temperature before serving.

Can I omit the pumpkin pie spice?

While pumpkin pie spice adds that signature flavor, you can substitute it with equal parts cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger if you don’t have it on hand.

Final Thoughts

This Pumpkin Spice Sugar Cookies Recipe is a total game-changer when it comes to celebrating fall flavors in cookie form. The blend of spices with pumpkin puree creates a soft, flavorful treat that’s perfect for sharing, gifting, or simply indulging by yourself. I can’t wait for you to bake these and enjoy every warm, spiced bite as much as I do!