Description
Festive pumpkin delight cookies swirl autumn’s warmth into each delectable bite. Creamy frosting and spiced dough merge for an irresistible seasonal treat you’ll crave from first crumb to last.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 box spice cake mix (15.25 ounces / 432 grams)
- ½ cup (120 milliliters / 4 fluid ounces) pumpkin puree
- 2 large eggs
- 4 ounces (113 grams) cream cheese, softened
Binding and Flavor Agents:
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) unsalted butter, softened
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Finishing Ingredients:
- 1 cup (120 grams) powdered sugar
- 1 pinch salt
- Ground cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Warm the kitchen oven to 350 degrees F and cover two baking trays with parchment paper for effortless cookie release and cleanup.
- Combine the spice cake mix, pumpkin puree, and eggs in a spacious mixing bowl, stirring until a uniform, velvety dough emerges.
- Gently deposit dollops of cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheets, maintaining approximately two inches of separation between each mound. Press down lightly to create a slightly flattened profile if desired.
- Slide the trays into the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, ensuring the cookie edges feel firm while the centers remain tender and yielding.
- After removing from the oven, allow the cookies to rest briefly on the baking sheets, then carefully transfer to a wire cooling rack for complete temperature reduction.
- While cookies cool, craft the creamy frosting by whipping softened cream cheese and butter until silky and well-integrated.
- Gradually incorporate powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a delicate pinch of salt into the mixture, beating continuously until the frosting achieves a luxurious, smooth consistency.
- Once cookies have reached room temperature, generously spread the prepared frosting across each surface.
- For an elegant finishing touch, dust the frosted cookies with a light sprinkle of ground cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice, enhancing their autumnal charm.
Notes
- These soft, cake-like cookies blend the warmth of spice cake mix with rich pumpkin puree for an irresistible autumn treat.
- Cooling cookies on the baking sheet allows them to set without becoming too crisp, maintaining a tender, moist texture.
- Cream cheese frosting adds a luxurious, tangy richness that perfectly complements the subtle spice of the pumpkin cookies.
- Room temperature ingredients ensure smoother mixing and a more consistent cookie dough with better overall flavor integration.
- Storing cookies in an airtight container keeps them fresh for up to 3-4 days, making them ideal for make-ahead desserts or gifting.
- Experiment with optional toppings like chopped nuts or a light dusting of spices to personalize your pumpkin cookie experience.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 100 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg