As the leaves start to change and the air turns crisp, there’s nothing quite like the aroma of freshly baked pumpkin cookies wafting through the house. Today, I’m excited to share my favorite recipe for soft pumpkin cookies that are sure to become your new autumn obsession. These cookies are perfectly spiced, incredibly moist, and studded with gooey chocolate chips for an extra indulgent treat.
Ingredients List
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Required Kitchen Tools
To make these delightful soft pumpkin cookies, you’ll need:
- Large mixing bowl
- Electric mixer (hand or stand)
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mats
- Cooling rack
- Cookie scoop or spoon
With these ingredients and tools at hand, you’re ready to embark on a baking adventure that will fill your home with the comforting scents of fall.
Dough Preparation
Now that we have all our ingredients and tools ready, let’s dive into the process of making these irresistible soft pumpkin cookies. The key to achieving the perfect texture lies in how we prepare and mix our ingredients.
Mixing the Ingredients
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Set this mixture aside.
- In a large bowl or the bowl of your stand mixer, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This usually takes about 3-4 minutes on medium speed.
- Add the pumpkin puree, egg, and vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture. Beat on medium speed until well combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough cookies.
- Fold in the chocolate chips by hand using a spatula or wooden spoon.
Chilling the Dough
Once your dough is mixed, it’s crucial to chill it before baking. This step helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking and intensifies the flavors. Here’s what you need to do:
- Cover the bowl of dough with plastic wrap or transfer it to an airtight container.
- Refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes, or up to 24 hours if you want to prepare it ahead of time.
- If you’re short on time, you can place the dough in the freezer for about 15 minutes instead.
By chilling the dough, you’re allowing the fats to solidify and the flour to hydrate fully, resulting in cookies with a better texture and more concentrated flavor. Trust me, this extra step is worth the wait!
Baking the Cookies
Now that our dough is perfectly chilled, it’s time to bake these delicious soft pumpkin cookies. The baking process is crucial to achieving that perfect soft texture we’re aiming for.
Preheating and Preparing
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This temperature ensures that our cookies bake evenly without burning.
- Line your baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. This prevents the cookies from sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
Shaping and Baking
- Remove the chilled dough from the refrigerator. Using a cookie scoop or spoon, drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Gently flatten each cookie slightly with the palm of your hand. This helps them spread evenly during baking.
- Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes. The cookies are done when the edges are lightly golden, but the centers still look slightly underbaked. This is the secret to keeping them soft!
- Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes. This allows them to set up slightly before moving.
- After 5 minutes, transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.
Pro Tips for Perfect Pumpkin Cookies
- Don’t overbake! The cookies might look a bit underdone when you take them out, but they’ll continue to set as they cool.
- For extra chocolatey cookies, press a few additional chocolate chips on top of each cookie right after they come out of the oven.
- If you like your cookies extra spicy, feel free to add a pinch of ground ginger or allspice to the dry ingredients.
By following these steps, you’ll end up with perfectly soft, pumpkin-spiced cookies that are sure to impress. The aroma filling your kitchen will be absolutely irresistible!
Serving and Storage
Now that your soft pumpkin cookies are baked to perfection, it’s time to enjoy them and learn how to keep them fresh for as long as possible.
Serving Suggestions
These cookies are delicious on their own, but here are some fun ways to serve them:
- Pair them with a glass of cold milk or a warm cup of coffee for a cozy treat.
- Sandwich two cookies together with cream cheese frosting for an indulgent dessert.
- Crumble them over vanilla ice cream for a fall-inspired sundae.
Storage Instructions
To keep your soft pumpkin cookies fresh and delicious, follow these storage tips:
- Allow the cookies to cool completely before storing.
- Place them in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Store at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- For longer storage, you can freeze the cookies for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Make-Ahead Options
If you want to prepare these cookies in advance:
- You can refrigerate the dough for up to 3 days before baking.
- Alternatively, scoop the dough into balls and freeze them. When ready to bake, place the frozen dough balls on a baking sheet and add 2-3 minutes to the baking time.
Conclusion
These soft pumpkin cookies are the perfect way to welcome fall. With their warm spices, tender texture, and gooey chocolate chips, they’re sure to become a family favorite. Whether you’re baking them for a cozy night in or preparing them for a festive gathering, these cookies are guaranteed to impress.Remember, the key to perfect soft pumpkin cookies lies in not overmixing the dough, chilling it properly, and being careful not to overbake. With these tips in mind, you’ll be able to create batch after batch of these delightful treats.So go ahead, preheat that oven, and fill your home with the irresistible aroma of freshly baked pumpkin cookies. Happy baking!