Soft Pumpkin Spice Sugar Cookie Recipe
These Soft Pumpkin Spice Sugar Cookies are tender, cake-like cookies filled with cozy pumpkin flavor and warm spices. Finished with a crunchy pumpkin spice sugar coating, they’re the perfect fall treat for gatherings or everyday baking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 35 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons canned pumpkin puree
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 large egg, room temperature
1/2 cup granulated sugar (for topping)
1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (for topping)
Instructions
- Whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and pumpkin pie spice in a medium bowl. Set aside.
- Cream the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until light and fluffy.
- Mix in the pumpkin puree, vanilla extract, and egg until fully combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until incorporated.
- Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
- Stir together the topping sugar and pumpkin pie spice in a small bowl.
- Scoop the dough into approximately 1 1/2-inch balls and roll or coat each portion in the spiced sugar.
- Place the coated dough balls about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
- Dip the flat bottom of a glass into the sugar mixture and gently flatten each dough ball to about 1/4 inch thick.
- Bake for 13 to 15 minutes, just until the tops begin to crack. Do not allow the cookies to brown.
- Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
Chilling the dough is essential for easier handling and the best texture.
Add chopped pecans, walnuts, or white chocolate chips for extra flavor and texture.
Mix a little cinnamon into the topping for additional warmth.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature or refrigerate for up to 1 week.
Freeze individually wrapped cookies for up to 3 months.
Warm leftover cookies in the microwave for about 10 seconds to refresh their soft texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 13 g
- Sodium: 95 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 28 mg
