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Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cinnamon Frosting | Cozy Fall Baking

If you’re looking for the ultimate fall cookie, look no further than these Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cinnamon Frosting. Light, fluffy, and full of warm pumpkin spice, they’re the kind of cookies that melt in your mouth and leave you reaching for seconds. Topped with a sweet, spiced cinnamon frosting, these cookies are festive enough for holiday trays yet simple enough for an everyday treat. They’re the perfect balance of cozy autumn flavors and bakery-style indulgence.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
bake & Cooling & Frosting time 42 minutes
Total Time 57 minutes
Servings: 24 cookies
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the cookies
  • ¼ cup pumpkin purée
  • 1 cup vegan butter softened, or use regular unsalted butter if preferred
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 2 tsp cornstarch
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 2 tsp pumpkin spice
  • ¼ tsp salt
For the frosting
  • ½ cup vegan butter softened
  • 3 ¼ cups powdered sugar
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 –2 tbsp milk to thin, as needed

Equipment

  • Hand or stand mixer
  • Mixing bowls (large & medium)
  • Rubber spatula
  • Measuring cups & spoons
  • Cookie scooper (Wilton piping tip #2A optional for frosting)
  • Large parchment-lined baking sheet
  • Cooling rack
  • Piping bag (for frosting)

Method
 

Step 1: Prep the oven & pans
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Step 2: Cream butter & sugars
  1. In a large bowl, beat softened butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar until fluffy. Add pumpkin purée and vanilla, mixing until smooth.
Step 3: Mix dry ingredients
  1. In another bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, cornstarch, cinnamon, pumpkin spice, and salt.
Step 4: Combine & scoop
  1. Gradually mix dry ingredients into wet mixture until just combined. Scoop dough onto baking sheets using a cookie scooper, spacing 2 inches apart.
Step 5: Bake
  1. Bake 10–12 minutes, until edges are set but cookies remain soft. Cool completely before frosting.
Step 6: Make the frosting
  1. In a medium bowl, beat butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon until creamy. Add milk, 1 tsp at a time, until spreadable.
Step 7: Frost & decorate
  1. Pipe or spread frosting over cooled cookies using a piping bag with Wilton #2A tip. Add a dusting of cinnamon on top if desired.

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating
Room Temperature: Store in airtight container up to 3 days.
Refrigerator: Keeps 5–6 days (best with frosting).
Freezer: Freeze unfrosted cookies up to 2 months. Thaw and frost before serving.
Reheating: Not needed—best enjoyed soft at room temp.
🥄 Variations
Cream Cheese Frosting: Swap cinnamon frosting for cream cheese frosting.
Nutty Pumpkin Cookies: Add chopped walnuts or pecans to the dough.
Glazed Version: Drizzle with maple glaze instead of frosting.
Chocolate Drizzle: Add a dark chocolate drizzle over frosted cookies.
Mini Sandwich Cookies: Spread frosting between two cookies.
Extra Spiced: Add ginger or cardamom for a chai-inspired flavor.
❓ 10 FAQs
Can I make these with real butter instead of vegan butter?
Yes, both work perfectly.
Why add cornstarch?
It keeps the cookies soft and pillowy.
Do I need to chill the dough?
Not necessary, but chilling 20 minutes gives thicker cookies.
Can I use pumpkin pie filling?
No—use pure pumpkin purée only.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes, for larger holiday batches.
Will kids enjoy these?
Absolutely—they’re sweet, soft, and lightly spiced.
Can I skip the frosting?
Yes, they’re delicious plain or rolled in cinnamon sugar before baking.
Can I freeze them after frosting?
It’s better to freeze unfrosted cookies, then frost fresh.
Do they taste very pumpkin-y?
They’re lightly pumpkin with strong warm spice flavor.
What drinks pair best?
Pumpkin spice lattes, chai tea, or hot cocoa.
🏁 Conclusion
These Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cinnamon Frosting are a cozy fall treat that feel like a hug in cookie form. With their pillowy texture, warm spices, and sweet cinnamon frosting, they’re perfect for holiday trays, fall gatherings, or a simple seasonal snack.
Bake a batch, frost generously, and let every bite remind you why fall flavors are the best.