Pumpkin Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Fall baking just got better! Pumpkin Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting topped with smooth frosting and a sprinkle of cinnamon are sure to please anyone craving the season’s best flavors.
1(8 oz) blockcream cheeseroom temperature for 30 minutes
splash milkOR cream
1/2teaspoonground cinnamonoptional
Instructions
In a large mixing bowl, combine the butter, oil, pumpkin, sugars, and vanilla. Beat until smooth. Add the egg and yolk, then mix until combined.
In a separate large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, salt, pumpkin pie spice, and cinnamon. Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until combined. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (180 degrees Celsius). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a baking mat; set aside.
Scoop and roll the dough into 3.5-inch balls (a #20 scoop is perfect). Place them on the prepared baking sheet. Flatten the dough with the bottom of a glass, jar, or measuring cup to ½-inch thickness.
Place the cookies in the oven and bake for 10–14 minutes. The edges should be firm, and the middles should be set. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
To Make the Cream Cheese Frosting
Meanwhile, to prepare the cream cheese frosting, using the paddle attachment, cream the butter, vanilla, and salt for 2 minutes or until light and fluffy. With the mixing speed on low, gradually add the powdered sugar and beat until it forms a thick paste. Add the cream cheese and a splash of milk, then mix on the lowest speed possible for 1½ minutes, then STOP!
Frost the cookies and enjoy immediately. Dust the tops with cinnamon, if desired. Store leftovers in the refrigerator and serve cold or at room temperature.
Notes
Chilling the dough is key for these cookies. It helps firm up the butter, improving both texture and shape. The dough is also sticky, so it’s easier to handle once chilled.
You can use a standard-sized cookie scoop; just adjust the baking time to about 8–11 minutes.
STORE Pumpkin Sugar Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, whether frosted or unfrosted. If storing them unfrosted, keep the frosting in the fridge and let it sit out for a few minutes before spreading it on the cookies.FREEZE cookie dough by rolling it into logs or cookie balls before placing it in a freezer-safe bag. Wrap dough logs in parchment paper. Frozen dough will last for about 3 months—just bake as usual, adding a couple of minutes to the baking time.To freeze baked cookies, let them cool completely, then pre-freeze on a cookie sheet before transferring to a freezer-safe bag with parchment paper between layers. Thaw at room temperature, and they’re ready to enjoy!