Pumpkin Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese frosting

If fall had a flavor, it would be Pumpkin Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese frosting. These little pillows of pumpkin-spiced joy are soft, tender, and topped with a creamy, tangy frosting that makes you want to grab a blanket, light a candle, and pretend you’re in a Hallmark movie.

And let’s be real—between work, errands, and kids asking for snacks every five minutes, sometimes you just need a treat that feels indulgent but doesn’t take an entire afternoon to make. That’s exactly why these cookies are a seasonal lifesaver. Quick, cozy, and guaranteed to win over even the pickiest eaters.

Why You’ll Love These Pumpkin Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese

• Soft as a cloud – thanks to pumpkin puree and brown sugar.
• Perfectly spiced – cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves bring the cozy fall vibes.
• Balanced sweetness – the tangy cream cheese frosting keeps things from being too sugary.
• Crowd pleaser – from potlucks to after-school treats, these cookies disappear fast.

When I first tested this recipe, my kids ate half the batch before I could frost them. (True story.) That’s when I knew these cookies were going to become a permanent part of my fall baking lineup.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Pumpkin Sugar Cookies:

• ½ cup Pumpkin Puree – moisture + fall flavor in one scoop.
• ½ cup Granulated Sugar – for sweetness.
• ½ cup Brown Sugar – adds depth and warmth.
• ½ cup Unsalted Butter – softened, for richness.
• 1 Egg Yolk – keeps the cookies soft, not cakey.
• 1 tsp Vanilla Extract – flavor booster.
• 1 ¾ cups All-Purpose Flour – the structure.
• 1 tsp Baking Powder – just enough lift.
• ½ tsp Salt – balances everything.
• 1 tsp Ground Cinnamon – classic fall spice.
• ¼ tsp each Nutmeg & Cloves – for cozy depth.

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 4 oz Cream Cheese – softened.
• 3 tbsp Butter – softened.
• 1 ½ cups Powdered Sugar – for fluffy sweetness.
• ½ tsp Vanilla Extract
• Pinch of Salt

How to Make Pumpkin Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting

1. Preheat the Oven – 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Cream Butter + Sugars – Beat butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy (2–3 minutes).
3. Add Pumpkin & Wet Ingredients – Mix in pumpkin puree, egg yolk, and vanilla until smooth.
4. Mix Dry Ingredients – In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
5. Combine – Slowly add dry ingredients to wet, mixing until just combined.
6. Scoop Dough – Use a tablespoon or cookie scoop. Place onto baking sheets with space in between.
7. Bake – 10–12 minutes, until edges are set and tops look matte. Cool on sheet 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack.
8. Make Frosting – Beat cream cheese + butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt. Beat until fluffy.
9. Frost – Once cookies are completely cool, spread or pipe frosting generously.

Pro tip: If you’re feeling fancy, sprinkle a little cinnamon sugar on top. It gives bakery-style vibes without the bakery price tag.

Tips for the Best Pumpkin Sugar Cookies

• Don’t overbake. These cookies should stay soft—pull them out when the tops look set, even if they seem slightly underdone.
• Chill the frosting. If your frosting feels too soft, pop it in the fridge for 10 minutes before spreading.
• Storage tip: Store frosted cookies in the fridge (cream cheese, remember!). Bring to room temp before serving so they’re perfectly soft.

FAQs About Pumpkin Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting

The Sweetest Ending

These Pumpkin Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting are the kind of dessert that makes any day instantly feel cozier. Whether you’re baking them for a family movie night, a fall potluck, or just because you deserve something sweet (and yes, you do), this recipe will become a seasonal favorite.

Bake a batch, brew some coffee, and let your kitchen smell like autumn magic.

More Recipes You’ll Love

If these Pumpkin Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting made your kitchen smell like autumn bliss, you’ll definitely want to check out a few more of my cozy comfort recipes:

• Warm up on a chilly evening with a hearty bowl of Sausage Potato Soup.
• Add another fall dessert to your baking list with this irresistible Apple Crumb Cake with Cinnamon Apple.
• Keep the comfort food vibes going with creamy, soul-soothing White Lasagna Soup.
• Or, if you’re feeling spooky-season adventurous, try my fun and festive Bloody Spaghetti with Mozzarella Eyeballs.

These recipes pair beautifully with your cookie-baking mood and will keep your fall menu exciting (and delicious!).

Pumpkin Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese frosting

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• Author: Aneta
• Total Time: 27 minutes
• Yield: 18 cookies 1x

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Description

These Pumpkin Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese frosting are soft, spiced, and perfectly cozy for fall. Sweet pumpkin flavor paired with tangy cream cheese frosting makes them irresistible for holiday gatherings or a cozy night in.

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Ingredients

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For the Pumpkin Sugar Cookies:

• ½ cup pumpkin puree

• ½ cup granulated sugar

• ½ cup brown sugar

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened

• 1 egg yolk

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour

• 1 tsp baking powder

• ½ tsp salt

• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg

• ¼ tsp ground cloves

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 4 oz cream cheese, softened

• 3 tbsp butter, softened

• 1 ½ cups powdered sugar

• ½ tsp vanilla extract

• Pinch of salt

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

2. In a large bowl, cream together butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes).

3. Mix in pumpkin puree, egg yolk, and vanilla until well combined.

4. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.

5. Gradually add dry mixture into wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.

6. Scoop dough with a cookie scoop or tablespoon onto prepared baking sheets, spacing evenly.

7. Bake 10–12 minutes, until edges are set and tops look matte. Let cool 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.

8. For the frosting, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt, and beat until fluffy.

9. Once cookies are fully cooled, frost generously with cream cheese frosting.

Notes

Do not overbake—cookies should stay soft and chewy.
Store frosted cookies in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Bring to room temperature before serving.
Freeze unfrosted cookies for up to 2 months. Frost fresh after thawing.
Sprinkle with a dusting of cinnamon sugar for extra bakery-style flair.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 Cookie
• Calories: 178 kcal
• Sugar: 16 g
• Sodium: 105 g
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 27 mg