Description
Delightful Pumpkin Cookies blend autumn’s warmth with sweet spices, creating a comforting treat that whispers memories of home. Fragrant crumbs melt in your mouth, promising cozy moments shared with loved ones.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 cup (240 ml) pumpkin puree
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups (250 grams) all-purpose flour
Sweeteners:
- 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup (110 grams) brown sugar, packed
Spices and Seasoning:
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup (85 grams) chocolate chips or nuts (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare baking environment by heating oven to 350F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper, ensuring an even cooking surface.
- Create a smooth, creamy base by vigorously blending softened butter with granulated and brown sugars until achieving a light, airy texture.
- Incorporate moisture and flavor by stirring in pumpkin puree, egg, and vanilla extract, mixing thoroughly until ingredients are fully integrated.
- Separately sift together dry components – flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt – to ensure even distribution of spices and leavening agents.
- Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, stirring minimally to prevent overworking the dough, which can result in tough cookies.
- Optional: Enhance texture and taste by delicately folding in chocolate chips or chopped nuts for additional complexity.
- Portion dough using a tablespoon, dropping mounds onto prepared baking sheet with approximately 2 inches between each cookie to allow proper spreading.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, watching for set edges and slightly soft centers, indicating perfect moisture retention.
- Allow cookies to rest on baking sheet for 5 minutes to stabilize structure, then transfer to wire rack for complete cooling and optimal texture development.
Notes
- Check butter temperature before mixing to ensure smooth, even incorporation into the batter.
- Use fresh pumpkin puree for a more vibrant, homemade flavor that elevates the cookie’s taste.
- Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent spreading and create thicker, softer cookies.
- Experiment with alternative flours like almond or gluten-free blends for dietary restrictions without compromising texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 80 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg