5 from 1 review

Pumpkin Pie Cookies

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close up of plate of circle cookies with pumpkin filling, crumbles, and whipped cream topping

If a soft and chewy sugar cookie and a pumpkin pie had a baby, it would be one of these Pumpkin Pie Cookies. Weird analogy? I can’t help it! It’s the best way to describe these little delicacies.

If you’ve been around Kroll’s Korner for bit you might remember my Apple Pie Cookies or my Pecan Pie Cookies from years past. Well, I decided they needed a new little sibling! ๐Ÿ˜‚ Enter: these Pumpkin Pie Cookies!

gold cooling rack with circle sugar cookies topped with pumpkin, streusel and glaze

I had so much fun making these cookies for my 2024 Holiday Cookie Series and I’m just *obsessed* with how they turned out.

The soft and chewy sugar cookie base is the perfect stand-in for the traditional pumpkin pie crust. Then you cover it with a delicious pumpkin pie filling that tastes warm and comforting, but isn’t too overpowering on spices. That’s topped with *my* favorite part of these Pumpkin Pie Cookies: the crumbly, buttery streusel topping. 

Bake those babies up and then finish them off with your powdered sugar based glaze, a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar, and a dollop of whipped cream and *voila*! Delicious, pumpkin pie goodness in the palm of your hands! I promise you, they’ll be the hit of your holiday parties!

Speaking of holiday parties, if you’re looking for more festive desserts to try, check out my Pumpkin Pie BarsCaramel Apple Cheesecake Dip, or Cranberry Bliss Bars for some of my family faves. 

Or if cookies are more your jam, you can’t go wrong with my Brown Butter Caramel SnickerdoodlesMaple Cookies, or my Chocolate Chunk Pumpkin Cookies. ๐Ÿช

close up of cookie with pumpkin, crumbles, and whipped cream toppings with a bite taken out

Why you’ll love these Pumpkin Pie Cookies

  • The Obvious: I mean, it’s pumpkin pie in cookie form… need I say more?
  • Soft and Chewy: The cookie base has a soft and chewy texture that’s just as good (dare I say better?!) as any bakery cookie.
  • Fun and Festive: These aren’t any plain Jane cookies! You’ll wow your guests with how adorable and unique these Pumpkin Pie Cookies are.
  • Minimal Spices: I don’t know about you, but isn’t it so annoying when you have a million spice canisters that you use for ONE recipe, maybe once a year? Not these cookies! You just need a pinch of pumpkin pie spice and cinnamon. 
  • Ultra Tasty: While you don’t need to buy the whole spice aisle, these Pumpkin Pie Cookies are still packed with warm Fall flavors.
bowls of ingredients for sugar cookies with pumpkin topping

Ingredient Notes

(For the full list of ingredients and measurements, scroll down to the recipe card below)

  • Cold Butter: We’re using cold butter for the cookie dough. Not melted, not room temperature. Cold butter straight from the fridge. This helps make the firm, dense texture of the sugar cookies.  
  • Vanilla & Almond Extract: While the almond extract is technically optional, I really love the extra *yum* it adds to the taste of these cookies. 
  • 1 egg + 1 egg yolk: The extra egg yolk adds richness, soft tenderness, and helps binds the dough.
  • Milk: After mixing your dough, if it feels a bit dry or crumbly, add a splash of milk to help hydrate the dough.
  • 100% pumpkin puree, blotted: Make sure you’re buying pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling. Blot the puree by pressing paper towels on it until they’re not absorbing much liquid.
  • Other ingredients needed: all purpose flour, baking powder, salt, powdered sugar, and cornstarch.

Step by Step Directions

(This is a condensed run-down of how to make these cookies. For the full recipe instructions, make sure to scroll down to the recipe card below)

Tips for Success

  • Measure ingredients properly: Spoon the flour into your measuring cup and level it off with the back of a knife instead of scooping the flour with your measuring cup. Too much flour will make take away from the soft & chewy texture of the cookies.
  • Don’t over-bake: the cookies will become dry!
  • Blot the pumpkin: Measure the ¾ cup of pumpkin AFTER the moisture is blotted out. I’ve found this is basically the contents (post-blotting) of 1, 15 oz. can. Blotting to remove the extra moisture helps to ensure the pumpkin pie filling doesn’t get too runny or mess up the texture of the sugar cookie when baking.

Pumpkin Pie Cookies FAQs

Can I use raw pumpkin instead of canned pumpkin puree?

I haven’t tested it out personally, but I am sure it can be done if you want to make your own homemade pumpkin puree.

Can I use canned pumpkin pie mix instead of 100% pumpkin puree?

I don’t recommend it. Canned pumpkin pie mix has added sugar and spices, which will alter the flavor and texture of the filling on these Pumpkin Pie Cookies.

Why do I need to blot the pumpkin puree?

Blotting the puree removes excess moisture, which helps prevent the filling from becoming too runny and ensures the cookies bake properly.

What should I do if my dough seems too dry?

Add a splash of milk until the dough comes together.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

I haven’t tried it yet, but I think substituting the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour should work fine. If you try it, I’d love if you’d leave a comment below with how it went for you!

circular sugar cookies with pumpkin, streusel, drizzle of glaze and dollop of whipped cream

Storage & Freezing

  • I recommend keeping these at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days (without the whipped cream garnish), refrigerating for up to 1 week, or freezing for up to 2 months.
  • You can freeze the sugar cookie dough for up to 3 months.

Which citrus flavor do you like better in baked goods?

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

close up of plate of circle cookies with pumpkin filling, crumbles, and whipped cream topping
5 from 1 review

Pumpkin Pie Cookies

Prep: 15 minutes
Chill Time: 30 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 55 minutes
Servings: 25 cookies
These Pumpkin Pie Cookies feature a soft and chewy sugar cookie base, pumpkin pie filling, buttery streusel crumble, and a sweet sugary glaze. Topped with cinnamon sugar and a dollop of whipped cream, you get all your favorite parts of pumpkin pie in these adorable hand-held treats! Perfect for the holiday season and cookie exchanges!

Ingredients

For the Cookie Base:

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, cold, cut into cubes (If using salted butter, don't add extra salt)
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 2 tsp. vanilla extract
  • ¼ tsp. almond extract (optional)
  • cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
  • 2 tsp. baking powder
  • ½ tsp. salt (omit if using salted butter)
  • 2-4 tsp. milk (if needed)

For the Pumpkin Filling:

  • ¾ cup 100% pumpkin puree, blotted (Measure ¾ cup AFTER moisture is blotted out, which is basically 1, 15 oz. can. I used paper towels to blot.)
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • Pinch pumpkin pie spice (Not too much because it makes the pumpkin look dark and weird.)
  • 1 tsp. cornstarch
  • Pinch kosher salt
  • 1 tsp. vanilla

For the Crumble Topping:

  • 1 cup flour
  • 1 1/4 tsp. baking powder
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 6 Tbsp. butter, melted
  • ¾ tsp. salt

For the Powdered Sugar Glaze:

  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 2-4 tbsp. whole milk (or half & half)
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract (or clear vanilla extract)

Optional for Garnish:

  • 1 tsp. cinnamon
  • 3 tbsp. granulated sugar
  • whipped cream

Last step! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

Instructions 

Prepare the Cookie Dough:

  • Using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment (or a hand mixer), add the powdered sugar and salt to the bowl and mix to combine.
    1 cup powdered sugar, ½ tsp. salt
    step by step images of bowls mixing dry ingredients
  • Add the cold butter pieces and beat on low to start, then increase the speed. Beat until the butter and sugar form almost like a paste. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
    1 cup unsalted butter, cold, cut into cubes
    bowls side by side one with sugar topped with chunks of butter, the other with the ingredients mixed with a stand mixer
  • Add in the egg, egg yolk, vanilla extract and almond extract (if using).
    1 large egg, 1 large egg yolk, 2 tsp. vanilla extract, ¼ tsp. almond extract
    bowl on left has cookie dough with eggs added, bowl on right has ingredients all mixed
  • Add the flour and baking powder and mix just until combined. If the dough seems dry, add a splash of milk.
    2¾ cups all-purpose flour, 2 tsp. baking powder, 2-4 tsp. milk
    bowl on left has dry ingredients on top of wet dough, bowl on right has ingredients mixed
  • Divide the dough in half.
    two balls of cookie dough on parchment paper
  • Place each half of dough on a sheet of parchment paper. Place a second sheet of parchment paper on top of each half of dough.
  • Using a rolling pin, roll out each half of dough between the 2 sheets of parchment until ~โ…œ inch thick. (Tip: โ…œ inch thick is right in between ¼ and ½ inch thick.) I like them a little thick, so they have a nice chew!
    rolling pin and slab of cookie dough
  • Then, freeze the dough until cold (20-30 minutes or longer if needed).

Prepare the Pumpkin Filling:

  • Meanwhile, mix together the pumpkin filling ingredients until smooth. (Or you can use a hand mixer if you prefer.)
    ¾ cup 100% pumpkin puree, blotted, ½ cup granulated sugar, Pinch pumpkin pie spice, 1 tsp. cornstarch, Pinch kosher salt, 1 tsp. vanilla
    bowl on left has pumpkin puree plus baking powder and spices, bowl on right has ingredients mixed with a whisk

Prepare the Crumble Topping:

  • In a bowl, stir together all the crumble topping ingredients until the dough comes together. You should be able to pinch it between your fingertips and it stays together. If not, add a little more melted butter.
    1 cup flour, 1 1/4 tsp. baking powder, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1 tsp. vanilla extract, 6 Tbsp. butter, melted, ¾ tsp. salt
    bowl on left has melted butter and sugar, bowl on the left has ingredients mixed to form crumbs

Bake the Cookies:

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a couple baking sheets with parchment paper.
  • Using a 2 ½ inch circular cookie cutter, cut the cookies into circles.
    circles cut out of slab of cookie dough
  • Spread some of the pumpkin filling on each cookie, spreading it all the way to the edges of the cookie.
    circle cookies with pumpkin filling spread on top
  • Top with a generous amount of the streusel crumble topping. Don’t be shy!
    cookies with pumpkin spread and crumbles on top before baking
  • Bake for ~9-11 minutes or until you can start to see the edges begin to brown and the crumble looks a little golden. Careful not to over-bake.
    cookies with pumpkin spread and crumbles on top, on parchment paper
  • Remove from oven and allow to cool on cookie sheet for a couple minutes then carefully transfer to a wire rack.

Finish with Toppings:

  • Mix together the cinnamon and sugar until combined.
    1 tsp. cinnamon, 3 tbsp. granulated sugar
  • Whisk together the ingredients for the glaze.
    2 cups powdered sugar, 2-4 tbsp. whole milk (or half & half), 1 tsp. vanilla extract (or clear vanilla extract)
    bowl on left has powdered sugar and whisk, bowl on right has mixed glaze with whisk
  • Sprinkle a little of the cinnamon-sugar topping on top of the streusel, and then drizzle the glaze over the cooled cookies.
    cookies with toppings on baking rack
  • (Optional) You can add a little dollop of piped whipped cream on top of the cookies too, if you're extra, like me!
    whipped cream
    circular pumpkin pie cookies with a glaze and whipped cream dollop on a tan plate

Video

Notes

  • I recommend keeping these at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days (without the whipped cream garnish), refrigerating for up to 1 week, or freezing for up to 2 months.
  • You can freeze the sugar cookie dough for up to 3 months.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1cookie, Calories: 265kcal (13%), Carbohydrates: 40g (13%), Protein: 3g (6%), Fat: 11g (17%), Saturated Fat: 7g (44%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Trans Fat: 0.4g, Cholesterol: 42mg (14%), Sodium: 249mg (11%), Potassium: 47mg (1%), Fiber: 1g (4%), Sugar: 24g (27%), Vitamin A: 1482IU (30%), Vitamin C: 0.3mg, Calcium: 52mg (5%), Iron: 1mg (6%)

Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is automatically calculated. It should only be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Ingredients can vary and Kroll’s Korner can’t make any guarantees to the accuracy of this information.

Krolls Korner

Krolls Korner

Welcome to my tiny โ€œkornerโ€ on the Internet! I am a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist who loves cookies as much as kale. (OK, maybe I like cookies a little bit more but shh, donโ€™t tell anyone). I am so glad youโ€™re here! Follow along for hassle free, realistic and approachable recipes.

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Courtney

These turned out amazing!

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