Name: Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Brown Sugar Frosting
Ingredients: 1 cup unsalted butter, (softened); 1 cup granulated sugar; 1 egg; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 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; 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)

rows of soft pumpkin cookies with brown sugar frosting on white background

These soft pumpkin cookies with brown sugar frosting have a subtle pumpkin flavor and are a perfect fall dessert.

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!

While I love to decorate with pumpkins during the fall, I’ve never been a huge fan of pumpkin flavored things. It 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. These soft pumpkin cookies are just that. They are soft and moist, have a subtle pumpkin flavor, and are topped with a creamy brown sugar frosting, which makes them that much better! Although even with no frosting, they’re still delicious.

stack of 3 frosted pumpkin cookies next to glass jar of milk

If you’re looking for some more (subtle) pumpkin recipes, these are a few of my favorites:

rows of pumpkin cookies on white background next to butterknife with frosting on it and a jar of cinnamon next to it

close up picture of soft pumpkin cookies with brown sugar frosting with cinnamon sprinkled on top of frosting

stack of 3 frosted pumpkin cookies next to one cookie that has bite out of it by a glass jar of milk

Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Brown Sugar Frosting

Soft and moist pumpkin cookies with a subtle pumpkin flavor and topped with a creamy brown sugar frosting. A perfect fall dessert.

Course: Dessert

Servings: 3 dozen

Ingredients

Soft Pumpkin Cookies

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
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

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

Instructions

Soft Pumpkin Cookies

Preheat the oven to 350˚F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
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.

Brown Sugar Frosting

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 Better Homes & Gardens

Check out more of our recipes on our Pinterest Recipe Board.

-Manda