These easy dessert thanksgiving pumpkin cookies with cream cheese frosting are a delightful treat. Soft, spiced, and indulgent, they are perfect for your holiday gatherings. Plus, they’re simple enough for anyone to whip up, making them a must-try this season!
Table of Contents
Easy Thanksgiving Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting
Why These Cookies Are Perfect for Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is all about warmth and comfort, and these pumpkin cookies embody that spirit perfectly. With their soft texture and rich flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger, they bring a delightful taste of fall to your dessert table. The cream cheese frosting adds a creamy, sweet touch that balances beautifully with the spices, making them a family favorite.
Key Ingredients for Your Spiced Pumpkin Cookies
To create these scrumptious cookies, gather the following ingredients:
- 1 cup butter (softened)
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup pumpkin purée
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 cups flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp ginger
For the cream cheese frosting, you will need:
- 1/2 cup butter (softened)
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 1 cup icing sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Crafting the Perfect Cream Cheese Frosting
Frosting is where your cookies can really shine. Start by beating softened butter until it’s smooth. Then, add the softened cream cheese and mix until you achieve a silky texture. Gradually incorporate the icing sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt, creating a fluffy frosting that perfectly complements your cookies.
Step-by-Step Guide to Baking Your Thanksgiving Treat
Follow these steps for delicious cookies:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Stir in the pumpkin purée, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.
- Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined.
- Place spoonfuls of dough onto a greased or lined baking sheet, spacing them 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes until the edges are lightly golden. Cool completely on a wire rack.
- Once cooled, spread the cream cheese frosting generously on top.
Tips for Perfectly Soft and Tender Cookies
For the best results, ensure your butter and cream cheese are fully softened before mixing. This guarantees a smooth consistency in both the cookie dough and frosting. Also, be careful not to overmix the dough after adding the dry ingredients, as this can lead to tough cookies. Allow the cookies to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting.
Storing and Freezing Your Delicious Cookies
Store your cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. If you want to prepare ahead, you can freeze the cookies without frosting. To serve, simply thaw and frost when ready. This makes them a great option for busy holiday schedules!
Related Recipes to try
- Churros
- Churro Cupcakes
- Blueberry Pizza Dessert
- Strawberry Ganache Cake Filling
- Lemon Bars
- Strawberry Pie
FAQs
What ingredients do I need for easy dessert thanksgiving?
You will need butter, sugar, brown sugar, pumpkin purée, an egg, vanilla extract, flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger to make these pumpkin cookies. For the frosting, you need butter, cream cheese, icing sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt.
How do I make easy dessert thanksgiving step by step?
Start by preheating your oven. Then, mix the wet ingredients and dry ingredients separately before combining them. Scoop onto a baking sheet, bake, and once cooled, frost with cream cheese frosting.
Can I make easy dessert thanksgiving ahead of time?
Yes, you can bake the cookies ahead of time. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. You can also freeze them without frosting and frost them when ready to serve.
How should I store leftover easy dessert thanksgiving?
Store leftover cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. You can freeze frosted cookies, but it’s best to freeze them unfrosted and add frosting later for best texture.
Conclusion
These easy dessert thanksgiving pumpkin cookies are a delicious addition to your holiday celebrations. They are not only simple to make but also offer a taste of the season that everyone will love. If you’re looking for more sweet inspiration, check out Hannah’s Pinterest page for a treasure trove of recipes to try!
Easy Dessert Thanksgiving: Delightful Pumpkin Cookies!
Equipment
- baking sheet
- mixing bowl
- whisk
Ingredients
- For the cookies: 1 cup butter (softened), 1 cup sugar, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1 cup pumpkin purée, 1 large egg, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 3 cups flour, 2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp salt, 2 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp nutmeg, 1/2 tsp ginger
- For the cream cheese frosting: 1/2 cup butter (softened), 8 oz cream cheese (softened), 1 cup icing sugar, 1 tsp vanilla extract, pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large bowl, beat softened butter, sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Stir in pumpkin purée, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth and fully combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.
- Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring only until just combined to avoid overmixing.
- Place spoonfuls of dough onto a greased or lined baking sheet, spacing them 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes until edges are lightly golden. Remove from oven and cool completely on a wire rack.
- While cookies bake, beat softened butter until smooth.
- Add softened cream cheese to the butter and beat until silky smooth.
- Slowly mix in icing sugar, vanilla extract, and salt, beating until the frosting is light and fluffy.
- Once cookies are fully cooled, spread frosting generously on top. Optionally sprinkle with cinnamon.
Notes
– Do not overmix the dough after adding dry ingredients, as this can result in tough cookies.
– Allow cookies to cool completely before applying frosting to prevent melting.
– Use fresh or canned pumpkin purée; avoid pumpkin pie filling due to extra spices and sugars.
– Store cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
– To freeze, bake cookies without frosting, then thaw and fr
