Soft Brown Butter Maple Pumpkin Cookies Recipe

Delightful Brown Butter Maple Pumpkin Cookies Recipe

Autumn’s crisp breeze brings the warmest comfort through chewy brown butter maple pumpkin cookies that melt in your mouth.

Rich brown butter creates a nutty depth complementing sweet maple notes.

Pumpkin spice weaves its magical essence throughout each tender morsel.

These cookies capture seasonal magic with their soft, pillowy texture and deep caramel undertones.

Fragrant spices dance across your palate, promising a delightful experience.

The aroma alone will draw everyone to the kitchen, eager to sample these irresistible treats.

Bake a batch and watch smiles bloom with each delectable bite.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 150 kcal

Servings: 23

What You’ll Need For Chewy Brown Butter Maple Pumpkin Cookies

For Wet Ingredients:
  • Brown Butter: Transforms ordinary butter into a rich, nutty flavor powerhouse that adds depth to the cookie's taste profile.
  • Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create a crisp exterior for the cookies.
  • Brown Sugar: Brings moisture and a caramel-like richness to the cookie texture.
  • Maple Syrup: Infuses warm, authentic sweetness and complements the pumpkin perfectly.
  • Pumpkin Puree: Adds moisture, vibrant color, and classic autumn flavor to the cookies.
  • Egg Yolk: Contributes to the chewy texture and helps bind the ingredients together.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances and rounds out the overall flavor profile of the cookies.
For Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Creates the cookie's structure and provides a tender crumb.
  • Baking Soda, Baking Powder: Ensures proper rising and helps achieve the perfect cookie texture.
  • Salt: Balances and intensifies the sweet flavors in the recipe.
  • Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Cloves, Ginger: Blend of warming spices that capture the essence of autumn baking.
For Glaze (Optional):
  • Powdered Sugar: Creates a smooth, sweet topping that adds a decorative finish.
  • Milk: Helps thin the glaze to the perfect drizzling consistency.

Items That Help With Chewy Brown Butter Maple Pumpkin Cookies

  • Large Mixing Bowl: Essential for combining wet and dry ingredients smoothly.
  • Small Saucepan: Perfect for browning butter and developing rich flavors.
  • Whisk: Key tool for blending ingredients and creating a smooth, lump-free mixture.
  • Baking Sheets: Needed for baking cookies with even heat distribution.
  • Parchment Paper or Silicone Baking Mats: Prevents cookies from sticking and ensures easy removal.
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient quantities.
  • Wire Cooling Rack: Helps cookies cool evenly and maintain their crisp texture.
  • Small Bowl: Used for preparing the optional maple glaze.

How To Make Chewy Brown Butter Maple Pumpkin Cookies Soft

  • Brown Butter Transformation

Create liquid gold by gently melting butter in a saucepan, watching it dance and transform into a rich, nutty elixir with caramel undertones. The magic happens when soft bubbles turn golden and release an intoxicating aroma.

  • Wet Symphony

Blend the brown butter with sugars and maple nectar until silky smooth. Incorporate pumpkin puree, egg yolk, and vanilla, stirring until the mixture becomes a harmonious autumn melody.

  • Dry Ingredient Alliance

In a separate vessel, combine flour, leavening agents, and warm spices that whisper memories of cozy sweater weather. Each ingredient adds depth and character to the cookie’s personality.

  • Dough Meditation

Gently marry wet and dry ingredients, creating a soft, pillowy dough. Allow the mixture to rest and chill, letting flavors meld and develop complexity.

  • Oven Warm-Up

Prepare the oven as a welcoming sanctuary, heating to a gentle 350F. Line baking sheets with protective parchment.

  • Cookie Crafting

Tenderly shape small orbs of dough, placing them with care on prepared sheets. Bake until edges hint at golden perfection while centers remain delightfully soft.

  • Optional Maple Finale

For those seeking extra indulgence, drizzle a luminous glaze that captures autumn’s sweet whispers, transforming each cookie into a delectable work of art.

Mix-Ins You’ll Love In Chewy Brown Butter Maple Pumpkin Cookies

  • Brown Butter Brilliance: Perfectly brown the butter by watching for golden color and nutty aroma – this step adds depth and richness to your cookies' flavor profile.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Refrigerate cookie dough up to 24 hours to develop deeper flavor and prevent excessive spreading during baking, ensuring perfectly shaped cookies every time.
  • Gluten-Free Option: Swap regular flour with a high-quality gluten-free flour blend to make these cookies accessible for those with wheat sensitivities – add 1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum for better texture.
  • Dairy-Free Adaptation: Replace butter with coconut oil or vegan butter alternative, ensuring the same rich, caramelized flavor while making the recipe suitable for dairy-free diets.
  • Spice Level Control: Adjust warming spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger based on personal preference – reduce for a milder flavor or increase for a more intense autumn-inspired taste experience.

Serving Chewy Brown Butter Maple Pumpkin Cookies Fresh

  • Autumn Harvest Platter: Arrange cookies on a rustic wooden board surrounded by mini pumpkins, cinnamon sticks, and scattered whole pecans for a cozy seasonal presentation.
  • Sweet Breakfast Companion: Pair these cookies with a warm mug of spiced chai latte or creamy pumpkin spice coffee for a delightful morning treat that celebrates fall flavors.
  • Dessert Centerpiece Styling: Stack cookies in a elegant glass cake stand, dust with powdered sugar, and garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs for an impressive after-dinner display that highlights their beautiful texture and color.
  • Party Gifting Idea: Package cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with burlap ribbon, adding a small cinnamon stick or maple leaf tag to create charming homemade gift favors perfect for autumn gatherings.

Keeping Chewy Brown Butter Maple Pumpkin Cookies Moist

Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 4-5 days, ensuring maximum freshness and soft texture.

  • Freezing Magic: Wrap individual cookies in plastic wrap, place in a freezer-safe bag, and store up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for quick enjoyment.
  • Dough Preparation Hack: Refrigerate cookie dough up to 24 hours before baking to enhance flavor complexity and improve texture. Roll dough into pre-portioned balls for convenient baking.
  • Make-Ahead Strategy: Bake cookies in advance, cool completely, then stack between parchment paper layers in sealed containers. Perfect for meal planning and quick dessert options.
Print
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Soft Brown Butter Maple Pumpkin Cookies Recipe

Soft Brown Butter Maple Pumpkin Cookies Recipe


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4.7 from 21 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 23 1x

Description

Chewy brown butter maple pumpkin cookies combine autumnal spices with rich, nutty brown butter for a seasonal treat. Warm notes of maple and pumpkin promise a delightful experience you’ll savor with each delectable bite.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ¾ cups (220 g) all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter
  • ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
  • ½ cup (110 g) brown sugar, packed
  • ⅓ cup (75 g) pumpkin puree
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) pure maple syrup
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • ½ tsp ground nutmeg
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp ground cloves
  • ¼ tsp ground ginger
  • ¼ tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
  • 23 tbsps maple syrup
  • 1 tbsp milk or heavy cream

Instructions

  1. Brown Butter Preparation: Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring continuously until it transforms into a golden-brown color with a rich, nutty aroma. Transfer to a large mixing bowl and allow slight cooling.
  2. Wet Ingredient Fusion: Whisk granulated sugar, brown sugar, and maple syrup into the cooled brown butter until smooth. Incorporate pumpkin puree, egg yolk, and vanilla extract, blending until uniform.
  3. Dry Ingredient Composition: Sift flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger together, ensuring even spice distribution.
  4. Dough Formation: Fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 24 hours to develop robust flavors and firm consistency.
  5. Oven Preparation and Baking: Preheat oven to 350F (175C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Scoop chilled dough into balls, spacing 2 inches apart. Bake 10-12 minutes until edges set and centers remain slightly soft.
  6. Cooling and Finishing: Rest cookies on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. For optional glaze, whisk powdered sugar, maple syrup, and milk until smooth. Drizzle over completely cooled cookies and allow glaze to set before serving.

Notes

  • Brown Butter Technique: Take time and watch carefully while browning butter to avoid burning; the transformation occurs quickly, so keep stirring and remove from heat once golden-brown color develops.
  • Dough Chilling Importance: Refrigerate dough for minimum 30 minutes to enhance flavor complexity and prevent excessive spreading during baking; longer chilling up to 24 hours develops deeper taste profiles.
  • Moisture Management: Pumpkin puree adds moisture, so slight underbaking ensures chewy texture; watch for set edges and slightly soft centers to maintain ideal cookie consistency.
  • Spice Balance: Use fresh, high-quality ground spices for maximum flavor impact; consider toasting spices briefly before mixing to intensify their aromatic qualities and create more robust taste experience.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 23
  • Calories: 150
  • Sugar: 14 g
  • Sodium: 100 mg
  • Fat: 6 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 22 g
  • Fiber: 0.5 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 20 mg
Liam O’Sullivan

Liam O’Sullivan

Founder & Culinary Content Creator

Expertise

Recipe Development​, Traditional Irish and European Cuisines, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education​

Education

Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) – School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology

  • Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern cooking techniques, kitchen management, and menu development.​

Ballymaloe Cookery School

  • Program: 12-Week Certificate Course
  • Focus: Intensive, hands-on experience emphasizing farm-to-table cooking and sustainable practices.​

Isabella brings a global spark to the Craft Meats table. Born in Florence and trained at the Apicius International School of Hospitality, she blends classic Italian flavor with modern writing that’s easy to follow and hard to forget. 

Her additional training at the Italian Chef Academy fueled her love for well-crafted dishes, especially ones that spotlight beautiful cuts of meat.

She’s a food writer with heart, and a deep love for storytelling through single recipes. Her goal? To help you cook with more confidence and a little more joy, no matter where you start.

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