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Every fall, I find myself craving pumpkin cookies. There’s something about soft, homemade cookies flavored with pumpkin and warm spices that makes this time of year especially cozy.
Over the years, I’ve collected quite a few pumpkin cookie recipes, from old-fashioned favorites to easy cake mix cookies and wholesome oatmeal versions.
One of my favorites comes from my well-worn 1978 Betty Crocker cookbook (affiliate link).
I remember making a batch one afternoon when a friend’s 8-year-old daughter came over to spend a few hours. She chose sugar cookies lavishly decorated with gummy body parts. I decided that old-fashioned soft pumpkin cookies were more my speed!
I divided the dough, adding chocolate chips to half and raisins and chopped nuts to the other half. Both were delicious.
If you’re in the mood for a little pumpkin baking, here are some of my favorite easy pumpkin cookie recipes, including a few lighter options and simple shortcuts.
My Favorite Homemade Pumpkin Cookies
1. Old-Fashioned Soft Pumpkin Cookies
These soft, cake-like pumpkin cookies are adapted from my 1978 Betty Crocker cookbook (affiliate link). They’re the kind of simple, homemade cookies I remember from years ago.
I like dividing the dough and making two variations—one with chocolate chips and another with raisins and chopped nuts. You could also leave them plain.
They’re especially good with a cup of coffee or tea on a chilly afternoon.
Old Fashioned Soft Pumpkin Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
- 1/2 cup shortening, I used half butter, half shortening
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 cups flour, I used white wheat flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips, or 1/2 cup raisins and 1/2 cup chopped nuts
Instructions
- Heat oven to 375 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone liners.
- In a large bowl beat together the sugar, pumpkin, shortening (or butter), egg and vanilla until well blended. Stir in the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Stir in the chocolate chips.
- Drop the cookie dough by heaping teaspoonfuls onto the lined cookie sheets, spacing them 2 inches apart. Bake until light brown and dry looking on the top, 12 to 14 minutes. Remove from the oven and immediately remove the cookies from the cookie sheets and place them on wire racks to cool.
Notes
2. Low-Fat Pumpkin Quinoa Cookies
These easy pumpkin quinoa cookies are another favorite.
Made with quinoa flour, pumpkin puree and vegetable oil, the dough comes together in minutes. They’re a nice alternative when you want something a little different from a traditional pumpkin cookie.
3. Easy 2-Ingredient Chocolate Pumpkin Cookies
It doesn’t get much easier than these 2-ingredient chocolate pumpkin cookies.
With just a box of chocolate cake mix and canned pumpkin, you can make a batch of soft, chocolatey cookies with very little effort.
They’re perfect when you’re short on time or just don’t feel like pulling out a long list of baking ingredients.
More Easy Pumpkin Cookie Recipes to Try
I’ve also found some wonderful pumpkin cookie recipes from other food bloggers over the years. Here are a few worth exploring.
4. Pumpkin Spiced Oatmeal Pecan Cookies
These pumpkin oatmeal pecan cookies from Skinnytaste combine pumpkin, oats, warm spices and chopped pecans.
A good choice when you’re craving a heartier, chewy cookie with a little crunch.
5. Easy 2-Ingredient Pumpkin Spice Cookies
These easy pumpkin spice cookies from Allrecipes start with a box of spice cake mix and canned pumpkin.
They’re a handy shortcut for busy days, and you can add chocolate chips if you like.
6. Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
These Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies from Joy Bauer are another delicious way to enjoy pumpkin season.
A nice choice when you’re craving a homemade pumpkin cookie with a little chocolate in every bite.
7. Pumpkin Spice Cookies with Chocolate Glaze
For something a little more dessert-like, try these pumpkin spice cookies with chocolate glaze from Skinnytaste.
They’re soft, cake-like pumpkin cookies finished with a drizzle of chocolate. A lovely little treat when you’re craving something sweet.
A Few Tips for Baking Pumpkin Cookies
- Use plain pumpkin puree. Canned pumpkin pie filling contains added sugar and spices, so it isn’t interchangeable with plain pumpkin unless the recipe specifically calls for it.
- Expect a softer cookie. Many pumpkin cookies have a tender, cake-like texture rather than the crispness of a traditional sugar cookie.
- Try different mix-ins. Mini chocolate chips, raisins, chopped walnuts and pecans all pair beautifully with pumpkin.
- Make smaller cookies. A smaller scoop is an easy way to make more cookies from a batch and enjoy a modest sweet treat.
- Store them properly. Because pumpkin cookies tend to be moist, let them cool completely before storing. Follow the storage recommendations for each individual recipe.
What About WW Points?
If you’re following WeightWatchers, the Points will depend on the ingredients and serving size of each recipe.
For the most accurate current Points, enter the recipe into the WW app or use its recipe import feature when available.
And remember, there’s room for a homemade cookie in a balanced approach to eating. Sometimes a small, delicious treat is exactly what hits the spot.
More Pumpkin Recipes You’ll Love
If you enjoy baking with pumpkin as much as I do, you might also like:
- Healthy Pumpkin Bread, Muffin and Scone Recipes
- Easy Low-Fat Pumpkin Cake Recipes
- Healthy Pumpkin Pie Recipes
- Easy Pumpkin Dessert Recipes
Do you have a favorite pumpkin cookie recipe? I’d love to hear about it in the comments!
