Pumpkin Spice Cookies

When the leaves start turning and there’s that first whisper of crispness in the air, I know exactly what I’m baking: pumpkin spice cookies. I remember the first time I made them with my youngest on a Saturday morning—tiny hands sneaking white chocolate chips while giggling at how “fall smells like cookies.” These aren’t just any cookies. They’re soft, golden rounds packed with warmth, spice, and the kind of cozy magic that only happens in your kitchen when it’s sweater weather.

Whether you’re baking a batch for after-school snacks, a fall party, or just because you need a little comfort with your coffee, these pumpkin spice cookies are pure joy in every bite. They come together quickly, no chilling needed, and fill your whole home with the irresistible scent of autumn spices and sweet vanilla.

Let’s make memories one bite at a time.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These pumpkin spice cookies are as flavorful as fall itself. Think tender centers, just-crisp edges, and layers of warm cinnamon and nutmeg wrapped around melty white chocolate.

You’ll love how easy this recipe is—no chilling required and ready in under 30 minutes. It’s perfect for busy weekdays or spontaneous baking moments when the craving strikes.

Family-friendly? Absolutely. Kids adore the sweetness, and adults swoon over the nostalgic spice. Plus, they’re freezer-friendly if you want to tuck away a batch for cozy evenings.

Whether you bring them to a harvest potluck or enjoy them with your favorite fall drink, these cookies deliver every single time. They’re comforting, festive, and just the right balance of sweet and spice.

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Ingredient Overview

These pumpkin spice cookies are bursting with rich, comforting flavors that celebrate the season. Here’s what you’ll need to bake up a batch of fall’s most-loved treat:

• All-Purpose Flour: Forms the structure of the cookies and balances the buttery richness.

• Pumpkin Spice: This is where the fall magic begins—cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves all bundled together.

• Baking Soda: Lends just enough lift for that perfect soft texture with a golden edge.

• Salt: Enhances all the other warm flavors and balances the sweetness beautifully.

• Unsalted Butter: Room temperature butter creams perfectly with sugars to create the soft cookie base.

• Brown Sugar & Granulated Sugar: A sweet duo that gives depth and chewiness to each bite.

• Eggs: Helps bind everything together while adding moisture.

• Vanilla Extract: Adds that warm, aromatic background that ties the spices together.

• White Chocolate Chips: Creamy sweetness that melts in your mouth and complements the spices.

• Pumpkin Spice Chips: Adds bursts of extra pumpkin flavor in every bite—so good!

Styling tip: For bakery-style flair, press a few extra chips into the tops of the dough balls before baking.

Step-by-step Instructions

Step 1: Preheat and Prep Your Pan

Start by preheating your oven to 375°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze. The sooner that tray’s ready, the sooner your pumpkin spice cookies will be warming up your kitchen.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, pumpkin spice, baking soda, and salt. Mixing these dry ingredients separately helps the spices distribute evenly throughout your pumpkin spice cookies dough.

Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugars

In a stand mixer (or with a handheld mixer), beat the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar on medium speed. Cream for about 5 minutes until fluffy and light in color. This step creates the irresistible soft centers of your pumpkin spice cookies.

Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Scrape down the bowl. Add the vanilla extract and crack in both eggs. Mix until just combined—don’t overbeat or you’ll lose that soft chew that makes pumpkin spice cookies so delightful.

Step 5: Slowly Combine with Dry Mix

Turn the mixer to low and gradually add in your dry ingredients. Work in batches to avoid flour clouds and ensure everything blends evenly. You’ll notice your pumpkin spice cookies dough starting to come together beautifully.

Step 6: Fold in the Chips

Gently fold in the white chocolate chips and pumpkin spice chips using a spatula. Tip: For bakery-style flair, press a few extra chips on top of each dough scoop right before baking.

Step 7: Scoop and Space the Dough

Scoop out two-tablespoon portions of dough and place them on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about two inches between each. These pumpkin spice cookies spread just enough to get those soft centers and golden edges.

Step 8: Bake to Golden Perfection

Pop your tray into the oven and bake for 10–14 minutes, just until the edges are golden brown and the centers look barely set. Let the pumpkin spice cookies cool on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

Pro Tips

Use room temperature ingredients. Room temp butter and eggs create a smoother batter and better rise for your pumpkin spice cookies, giving them that ideal soft-meets-crisp texture.

Don’t skip the full creaming time. Letting the sugars and butter mix for 5 minutes helps incorporate air and moisture, which makes your pumpkin spice cookies stay thick and chewy instead of flat.

Scoop evenly for even baking. Using a cookie scoop ensures that every batch of pumpkin spice cookies bakes evenly and comes out looking bakery-perfect.

Store properly to keep them soft. Once cooled, place your pumpkin spice cookies in an airtight container with a slice of bread—the cookies absorb moisture from the bread and stay fresh longer.

For a fun fall twist, I often double this batch and freeze half the dough to make pumpkin spice cookies fresh on demand. You can freeze them in dough balls and bake straight from the freezer.

Want more inspiration? Try making them alongside these pumpkin sugar cookies for a festive dessert board.

Variations

Make them gluten-free by swapping the all-purpose flour for a 1:1 gluten-free blend. Your pumpkin spice cookies will still be soft, chewy, and full of fall flavor.

Looking to reduce sugar? Use dark chocolate chips instead of white and reduce both sugars by ¼ cup. It tones down the sweetness while still celebrating the rich spices in these pumpkin spice cookies.

Add crunch with chopped pecans or walnuts. Fold ½ cup into the dough for texture that pairs beautifully with the warm spice of the pumpkin spice cookies.

Feeling playful? Turn these into cookie sandwiches by spreading maple cream cheese frosting between two pumpkin spice cookies. It’s fall-on-a-plate, y’all.

Need more cookie inspiration for the season? Head over to our Fall Cookie Recipes for a cozy variety you’ll want to bake all October long.

Frequently Asked Questions

Serving Suggestions

There’s something magical about biting into freshly baked pumpkin spice cookies with a warm drink in hand. Pair these beauties with a cozy mug of chai, hot apple cider, or even a homemade Pumpkin Chai Latte for the ultimate fall vibe. I love setting out a platter of these pumpkin spice cookies alongside spiced nuts and a cheese board for casual get-togethers. They also shine on Thanksgiving dessert tables or tucked into lunchboxes as a sweet surprise. Whether you’re sharing them at a gathering or savoring a quiet afternoon snack, these cookies create moments that feel extra special.

Conclusion

Baking a batch of pumpkin spice cookies is like bottling up the warmth of fall and sharing it with people you love. From the scent of cinnamon wafting through the kitchen to the golden edges on each cookie, it’s more than a recipe—it’s a seasonal ritual. These cookies are simple enough for weeknights yet nostalgic enough for holiday tins and family memories. And if you’re craving more cozy treats, don’t miss our other fall favorites over in the Desserts section—there’s always something sweet waiting.

If you give these pumpkin spice cookies a try, I’d love to hear about it in the comments below. Share your own twist, tag us with your delicious photos on Instagram or Pinterest, or send the recipe to a fellow cookie lover. Your kitchen stories bring this community to life—one warm bite at a time.

Gather around the table — something delicious is waiting!
(And for even more fall joy, connect with us on Instagram, Pinterest, or TikTok—we’d love to see what you’re baking!)