Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Brown Sugar Frosting

Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Brown Sugar Frosting @themerrythought
We’re in full pumpkin season here – we just picked a wheelbarrow full of pumpkins from our backyard the other day (last year I threw all our old pumpkins in our never used garden and left them all year and we ended up with sooo many pumpkins this year; I was pretty excited! That’s the kind of gardening I can get on board with, throw something down, leave it alone & have it grow!). And while I love to decorate with pumpkins during the fall, I’ve never been a huge fan of pumpkin flavored things, which always makes me feel as though I’m missing out on a bit of fall goodness. I don’t mind a little bit of pumpkin flavor, so I’m always looking for things to bake during the fall that have just a hint of pumpkin flavor. And these cookies are just that!  They’re soft & moist, and have a subtle pumpkin flavor; and topped with a creamy brown sugar frosting, which makes them that much better!  Although even with no frosting, they’re still delicious.
Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Brown Sugar Frosting @themerrythought
Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Brown Sugar Frosting @themerrythought
Pumpkin Cookies
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 cup pumpkin puree
2 cups all-purpose flour

Preheat the oven to 350˚ F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or just use un-greased baking sheets. In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the butter and sugar and beat on medium-high speed until well combined, about 1-2 minutes. Add egg & vanilla, mixing until combined. Add baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon & nutmeg, mix until combined.  Mix in pumpkin and flour.

Drop by tablespoon full on cookie sheets (I used a medium cookie spoon – about 1.5 tablespoons).  Bake 9-10 minutes or until top is set. Cool on wire racks. Once cooled, frost cookies (recipe below).

Makes approximately 3 dozen.

Brown Sugar Frosting
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup powdered sugar
3 tablespoons milk
cinnamon, for garnish

Beat together the butter, brown sugar and vanilla until smooth. Add powdered sugar and milk, mixing until light & fluffy (if it’s too firm/thick, add a tablespoon of milk at a time to reach desired consistency; or if it’s too thin, add more powdered sugar).

Spread frosting on cookies, sprinkle with cinnamon.

Adapted from BH&G

Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Brown Sugar Frosting @themerrythought
Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Brown Sugar Frosting @themerrythought
If you’re looking for some more (subtle) pumpkin goodness, these are a few of my favorites: Pumpkin Cream Donut Sandwiches,Pumpkin Ice Cream with Gingersnap Bowls, No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake Pie and Pumpkin Whoopie Pies!

-Manda

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