Name: Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cinnamon Frosting Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/2 cup vegan butter, softened; 1/4 cup pumpkin puree; 1/4 cup brown sugar; 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour; 2 teaspoons baking powder; 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice; 2 teaspoons cornstarch; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1 cup vegan butter, softened; 3 teaspoons vanilla paste (or extract); 1 teaspoon cinnamon; 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (or cinnamon); 1/3 cup brown sugar; 3 1/4 cups powdered sugar

Jump to Recipe

Looking for the perfect autumn treat that toes the line between nostalgic coziness and irresistible flavor? These Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cinnamon Frosting are everything you want in a fall dessert: impossibly fluffy, warmly spiced, and finished with a luscious swirl of cinnamon-kissed icing. Whether you serve them at a gathering, bake a batch for friends, or treat yourself to a sweet afternoon break, every bite captures the essence of pumpkin season in the most delightful way. Get ready for your kitchen to smell like a dream!

Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cinnamon Frosting Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this recipe has its own little role, working magic behind the scenes to create cookies that are as soft and flavorful as they look. Gather them up and let’s dive into what makes these Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cinnamon Frosting truly unforgettable.

Vegan butter, softened: Provides richness and a tender crumb to the cookies and frosting.
Pumpkin puree: The key to both color and moisture—use pure pumpkin for the best texture.
Brown sugar: Adds caramel-like sweetness and a slight chew.
Granulated sugar: Balances flavors and helps create that soft, puffy cookie texture.
Vanilla extract: Boosts all the sweet pumpkin and spice flavors.
All-purpose flour: The foundation for structure; use the spoon-and-level method for accuracy.
Baking powder: Gives your cookies that irresistible lift and fluffiness.
Pumpkin pie spice: Embodies the very spirit of autumn—don’t skip it!
Cornstarch: Secret for super soft and tender cookies.
Salt: Rounds out the sweetness and accentuates the spices.
Vegan butter (for frosting): Makes your cinnamon frosting ultra creamy and decadent.
Vanilla paste or extract: Enhances the depth in your frosting.
Cinnamon: Adds a warm, comforting spice to the frosting.
Pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon (for frosting): Optional for a final flourish of aromatic warmth.
Powdered sugar: Essential for silky, sweet frosting that pipes beautifully.
Hand mixer or stand mixer: These tools make mixing a breeze for both dough and frosting.
Baking sheet: Your go-to for baking up a whole batch at once.
Parchment paper (or baking mat): Ensures easy clean-up and flawless cookies.
Cookie scooper (optional): Helps keep your cookies uniform, but a spoon works too!
Piping bag with Wilton Tip #2A: For dreamy swirls of cinnamon frosting on every cookie.

How to Make Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cinnamon Frosting

Step 1: Cream Butter, Pumpkin, and Sugars

In a stand mixer or a large mixing bowl with a hand mixer, cream together your softened vegan butter, pumpkin puree, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture turns light, fluffy, and slightly pale. This airy base is what gives Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cinnamon Frosting their famously soft texture—it’s totally worth taking an extra minute or two to cream everything well!

Step 2: Whisk Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, cornstarch, and salt. This step evenly distributes the leavening and spices, setting you up for perfectly spiced cookies that rise beautifully.

Step 3: Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually add your dry mix to the wet ingredients, blending on low speed until just combined. Don’t over-mix—you want the dough tender! This gentle approach is the secret to those pillow-soft pumpkin cookies you’re about to enjoy.

Step 4: Chill the Dough

Cover your bowl and refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight. Chilling prevents spreading and produces thick, soft cookies with just the right amount of chew. It’s a step you simply can’t skip for perfect results!

Step 5: Preheat and Shape

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a nonstick baking mat. Using a medium cookie scoop or a large spoon, scoop 2-inch balls of dough, flattening each into a disk shape (they won’t spread much). Space them a couple of inches apart—they may be friendly, but they also need room to shine!

Step 6: Bake the Cookies

Bake your cookies on the center rack for 10 to 12 minutes. Don’t overbake! Let them cool completely on the baking sheet after removing from the oven—this helps set their soft, delicate crumb.

Step 7: Make the Cinnamon Frosting

For the dreamy cinnamon frosting, use a clean bowl and whip together softened vegan butter, vanilla paste or extract, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice (if using), brown sugar, and powdered sugar. Mix until everything is smooth, fluffy, and irresistible. If you’re not frosting right away, cover and refrigerate the frosting.

Step 8: Frost the Cookies

Scoop the cinnamon frosting into a piping bag fitted with a Wilton #2A tip and pipe gorgeous swirls on the completely cooled cookies. Begin at the center and work outward for that professional bakery look. Sprinkle with extra pumpkin pie spice if you like, then dive right in!

How to Serve Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cinnamon Frosting

Garnishes

A light dusting of pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon over the frosted tops adds an eye-catching (and fragrant) finish. For a festive look, try orange sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, or even finely chopped toasted pecans for crunch and color.

Side Dishes

These cookies love to be the star of a dessert platter alongside spiced apple cider, chai tea, or creamy oat milk. At a party, plate them with salty roasted nuts or fruit for a sweet-savory combo that always gets rave reviews.

Creative Ways to Present

Arrange Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cinnamon Frosting in a rustic basket lined with parchment, pack them in cute bakery boxes for gifting, or display them on a tiered stand for an eye-catching centerpiece. You can even stack and tie a ribbon around mini stacks to give as thoughtful autumn favors.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you find yourself with extra cookies (lucky you!), store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. The frosting will keep its texture, and the cookies remain pillowy soft.

Freezing

Both unfrosted cookies and finished Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cinnamon Frosting freeze beautifully. Place layers between parchment paper in an airtight container and freeze for up to two months. Thaw at room temperature, and frost after thawing if possible for the freshest flavor.

Reheating

If you want to refresh your cookies, pop unfrosted ones in a low oven (about 275 degrees Fahrenheit) for 3–5 minutes. Let completely cool before frosting. For frosted cookies, simply let them come to room temperature—no need to reheat!

FAQs

Can I make Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cinnamon Frosting gluten-free?

Absolutely! Just substitute your favorite 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for the regular flour. Make sure it contains a binder, such as xanthan gum.

Do I have to chill the dough?

Yes, chilling is essential. It allows the dough to firm up, which means your cookies bake up thick, soft, and perfectly chewy without spreading too much.

Is there a substitute for vegan butter?

You can use solid coconut oil or a dairy butter if you’re not vegan, but vegan butter really provides the best flavor and texture here.

Can I use store-bought pumpkin pie spice?

Definitely! Store-bought pumpkin pie spice works great and keeps things easy. If you’re feeling creative, you can also make your own blend with cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves.

Can I make the cookies smaller or larger?

You sure can! Just adjust the baking time—smaller cookies bake faster (check around 8 minutes), while larger ones may need up to 14 minutes. Always let them cool on the sheet for best results.

Final Thoughts

If you’re hunting for a recipe that will make you the undisputed hero of fall baking, these Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cinnamon Frosting are the answer. From the aromatic spices to the creamy frosting, each bite is pure coziness. Bake a batch, share them, and watch everyone’s eyes light up—you’ll be making these again and again!

Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cinnamon Frosting Recipe

★★★★★

5.2 from 10 reviews

Author: Lily
Total Time: 1 hour
Yield: Makes about 24 cookies 1x
Diet: Vegan

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Description

These soft pumpkin cookies with cinnamon frosting are a delightful treat for any occasion. The combination of pumpkin, warm spices, and sweet frosting creates a perfect harmony of flavors. Vegan-friendly and easy to make, these cookies will surely become a favorite in your household.

Instructions

Cookies: In a stand mixer or large bowl, cream together the softened butter, pumpkin puree, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and vanilla until the mixture is light and fluffy.
Cookies: In a separate large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, cornstarch, and salt.
Cookies: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients bowl, mixing on low speed until just combined (don’t over-mix).
Cookies: Cover the bowl and place it in the fridge for 30 minutes or overnight. Chilling the dough is an important step that you cannot skip.
Cookies: Preheat the oven to 350 °F (177 °C).
Cookies: Scoop 2-inch balls of dough out with a medium cookie scooper or a large spoon. Press down to flatten the dough balls into disks. While baking, the dough will not spread out much so you need to form it into a cookie shape beforehand. Arrange them a couple of inches apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Cookies: Bake on the center rack for 10-12 minutes. Let them cool down completely on the baking sheet.
Cinnamon Frosting: In a medium bowl, use an electric mixer or a stand mixer with the whisk attachment to whip together all the ingredients until fully combined. If preparing in advance, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to use.
Cinnamon Frosting: Spoon icing into a piping bag fitted with the Wilton Piping Tip #2A. Pipe the cinnamon frosting on top of the cooled cookies in a swirl, starting from the middle and moving outwards. Sprinkle pumpkin pie spice on top, and enjoy!

Notes

For a more intense pumpkin flavor, you can increase the amount of pumpkin puree slightly.
Ensure the cookies are completely cooled before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American