Moist, pillowy pumpkin cookies topped with silky cinnamon cream cheese frosting — Easy Soft Pumpkin Cookies (Cinnamon Frosting) are the ultimate fall treat. They’re perfectly spiced, buttery-soft, and melt in your mouth with every bite. No chilling, no fuss — just simple ingredients and cozy autumn flavor in less than 30 minutes.
Introduction
These Easy Soft Pumpkin Cookies are everything you love about pumpkin pie and bakery cookies combined — tender, cakey centers, golden edges, and a dreamy cinnamon frosting that adds just the right amount of sweetness. They’re soft from the first bite to the last and stay that way for days.
Perfect for fall gatherings, cookie swaps, or lazy baking afternoons, these cookies bring together all of autumn’s most comforting aromas — cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla — in one golden-brown bite. The tangy cinnamon frosting balances the earthy pumpkin beautifully, creating cookies that taste straight out of a café bakery.
Whether you bake them for Thanksgiving dessert trays or just because pumpkin season calls your name, these cookies deliver pumpkin-spice perfection every time.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Super soft texture: Melt-in-your-mouth pumpkin cookies thanks to pure purée.
Warm spices: Classic cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves create real fall flavor.
Easy one-bowl recipe: No mixer needed — whisk, scoop, bake.
No chill time: Ready to eat in under 30 minutes.
Perfect frosting: Light, cinnamon-scented cream cheese top for bakery-style finish.
What Makes It Special
Unlike dense cookies, these pumpkin cookies are light and cake-like, with fluffy interiors that stay moist for days. The balance of brown sugar and pumpkin purée keeps them soft, while the frosting — rich but not heavy — adds that irresistible creamy finish.
It’s the frosting that really sets these cookies apart: butter, cream cheese, powdered sugar, and cinnamon whipped together into a smooth, spreadable cloud that sweetens without overpowering.
Essential Ingredients
For the Cookies
- 1 cup pumpkin purée (not pumpkin pie filling)
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp ground cloves
- ¼ tsp salt
For the Cinnamon Frosting
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup butter, softened
- 1½ cups powdered sugar
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat & Prep
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Step 2: Cream Butter & Sugars
In a mixing bowl, beat butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until creamy and smooth. Add pumpkin, egg, and vanilla. Mix until blended — don’t overbeat; it’s fine if the mixture looks slightly curdled.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
Step 4: Mix Dough
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Stir with a spatula or spoon just until combined — the dough will be soft and slightly sticky.
Step 5: Scoop & Bake
Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving 2 inches between each. Flatten slightly with your spoon or fingers.
Bake for 12–14 minutes until the edges are just lightly golden. The tops should look set but soft. Cool completely on a wire rack.
Step 6: Make Frosting
Beat cream cheese and butter together until smooth and fluffy. Add powdered sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and a pinch of salt. Beat until creamy.
Step 7: Frost the Cookies
Once cookies are completely cool, spread or pipe frosting over each cookie. Optionally, sprinkle with extra cinnamon or brown sugar for garnish.
Pro Tips for Perfect Cookies
- Use pure pumpkin purée: Canned filling adds excess liquid and sugar.
- Don’t overbake: For the softest cookies, pull them when just set in the center.
- Cool completely before frosting. Warm cookies will melt the frosting.
- For easy spreading: Chill frosting 10 minutes before decorating.
- Storage tip: Store frosted cookies in a single layer in the fridge; they stay soft for 4–5 days.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve as a cozy dessert with hot apple cider, chai tea, or coffee.
- Drizzle with caramel or sprinkle sea salt before frosting for a sweet-salty twist.
- Dust freshly-baked cookies with powdered sugar for a quick, frosting-free option.
Variations and Customizations
Maple Frosting: Substitute cinnamon with 1 tbsp maple syrup for a woodsy flavor.
Glazed Version: Mix powdered sugar, milk, and cinnamon for a simple icing drizzle.
Nuts & Texture: Add chopped pecans or walnuts for crunch.
Chocolate Kick: Stir in mini chocolate chips for a sweet surprise.
Vegan Swap: Use vegan butter and dairy-free cream cheese — same great texture.
Why It Works
Pumpkin purée adds natural moisture and flavor, while brown sugar enhances softness. The blend of baking soda and powder ensures a tender rise without dryness. Cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves bring that signature pumpkin spice aroma, while the tangy frosting balances every bite. The result? Soft, chewy, creamy — pure fall harmony.
Nutrition Snapshot (per cookie, unfrosted)
Calories: 140
Carbs: 21g
Fat: 6g
Protein: 2g
Sugar: 10g
Storage & Reheating
Room temperature: Up to 2 days (unfrosted).
Refrigerate: Store frosted cookies for up to 5 days in an airtight container.
Freeze: Freeze unfrosted cookies up to 2 months; thaw and frost fresh.
Perfect Pairings
| Treat | Why It Works |
|---|---|
| Hot coffee or espresso | Balances sweetness with bitter notes |
| Pumpkin spice latte | Doubles down on cozy flavor |
| Chai tea | Warm spices complement cookie aroma |
| Vanilla ice cream | Creamy contrast against soft cookie |
Conclusion
Easy Soft Pumpkin Cookies (Cinnamon Frosting) are fall baked happiness — soft, aromatic, and perfectly balanced between cozy spice and sweet cream. Each cookie melts in your mouth, delivering the comfort of pumpkin pie in handheld form.
Quick to make, impossible to resist, and ideal for every fall moment — these cookies are as warm and charming as a crisp autumn afternoon. Bake a batch, frost them thickly, share with family (or keep them all to yourself) — either way, you’ve found your new favorite fall treat.
