Soft Pumpkin Cookies With Cinnamon Frosting – Cozy Fall Treats Baking

When October rolls around and the air smells of spice and crisp leaves, my kitchen always shifts into pumpkin bakery recipes mode. The first time I baked these soft pumpkin cookies with cinnamon frosting, I couldn’t believe how they captured the taste of fall in a single bite. The cookies were tender, fluffy, and filled with warm spice, while the creamy cinnamon frosting added just the right sweetness. Every year, they’ve become a tradition in my home especially around Halloween when I’m looking for easy Halloween fall desserts that bring comfort and nostalgia to the table.

Callie Brooks

Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cinnamon Frosting

These soft pumpkin cookies with cinnamon frosting are the ultimate cozy fall dessert — tender, cake-like, and spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg. A creamy cinnamon frosting on top makes them irresistible for Halloween, Thanksgiving, or any autumn day.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 12 minutes mins

Total Time 27 minutes mins

Servings: 24 cookies

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Calories: 185

Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients

  

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• 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup pumpkin puree (not pie filling)
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg
• ¼ tsp ground cloves (optional)
• ¼ tsp salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
• 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon (for frosting)
• 2–3 tbsp milk or cream
• ½ tsp vanilla extract (for frosting)

Equipment

• mixing bowls
• electric mixer
• measuring cups and spoons
• baking sheets
• parchment paper
• wire cooling rack
• spoon or cookie scoop

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until fluffy.
3. Add pumpkin puree, egg, and vanilla. Mix until smooth.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt.
5. Gradually add dry mix to wet mix. Stir until just combined. Do not overmix.
6. Scoop dough into rounded spoonfuls and place on baking sheets.
7. Bake for 10–12 minutes until edges are golden. Centers should remain soft.
8. Let cookies cool completely on wire racks before frosting.
9. To make the frosting, beat butter, powdered sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and milk until light and fluffy.
10. Spread frosting generously on cooled cookies. Serve and enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 185kcalCarbohydrates: 27gProtein: 2gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.4gMonounsaturated Fat: 2.1gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 95mgPotassium: 60mgFiber: 0.5gSugar: 18gVitamin A: 1400IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 0.8mg

Notes

For thicker cookies, chill the dough before baking. Only frost fully cooled cookies. For a twist, try white chocolate chips or swap the cinnamon frosting with cream cheese. Store frosted cookies in the fridge or freeze unfrosted for later use.

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Why You’ll Love These Soft Pumpkin Cookies With Cinnamon Frosting

These cookies are more than just sweets they’re the heart of fall treats baking.

• Incredibly soft pumpkin texture – Each cookie melts in your mouth.
  
• Perfectly spiced flavor – A blend of pumpkin, cinnamon, and nutmeg gives you that classic autumn warmth.
  
• Cinnamon frosting magic – Rich, creamy, and perfect for topping fluffy cookies.
  
• Versatile dessert – Serve as pumpkin cookies with frosting for Thanksgiving, Halloween, or any cozy weekend.
  
• Beginner-friendly recipe – Easy enough for kids to help with during fall baking days.
  

Every bite feels like the best of pumpkin cinnamon recipes, combining spice, sweetness, and seasonal charm.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Cinnamon Pumpkin Cookies

Here’s the breakdown of what goes into these irresistible fall cinnamon cookies.

For the cinnamon frosting:

• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  
• 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
  
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  
• 2–3 tbsp milk or cream
  
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
  

This combination is what makes them stand out among pumpkin bakery recipes simple ingredients, huge flavor.

How to Make Pumpkin Cookies With Frosting Step by Step

1. Preheat oven: Set to 375°F (190°C) and line baking sheets with parchment.
   
2. Cream butter and sugar: Beat until fluffy.
   
3. Add pumpkin, egg & vanilla: Mix until smooth and light.
   
4. Combine dry ingredients: Whisk flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt in a separate bowl.
   
5. Mix together: Gradually add dry mix into wet ingredients until combined. Don’t overmix.
   
6. Scoop dough: Place rounded spoonfuls on baking sheets.
   
7. Bake: 10–12 minutes until edges are golden but centers still soft.
   
8. Cool completely: Let cookies rest before frosting.
   
9. Frosting: Beat butter, sugar, cinnamon, milk, and vanilla until fluffy.
   
10. Spread generously: Add frosting on top of cooled cookies.
    

It’s the kind of recipe that fits right into pumpkin cinnamon recipes and fall treats baking traditions.

How to Serve Cinnamon Pumpkin Cookies

These pumpkin cookies with frosting shine on any dessert table.

• Halloween fall desserts: Top with orange sprinkles for a festive look.
  
• Thanksgiving tray: Pair with pecan bars and apple pie.
  
• Cozy weekends: Enjoy with hot chocolate or a pumpkin spice latte.
  
• Winter holidays: Add caramel drizzle for a Christmas twist.
  

For a lighter summer twist, skip frosting and add white chocolate chips still fluffy, still a perfect soft pumpkin treat.

Pro Tips for Perfect Fall Cinnamon Cookies

• Chill dough for thicker cookies.
  
• Use fresh spices to keep the flavor bold.
  
• Frost only cooled cookies or the frosting will melt.
  
• Adjust frosting consistency by adding milk slowly until fluffy.
  

These tricks ensure your cinnamon pumpkin cookies stay bakery-quality every time.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Using pumpkin pie filling instead of puree.
  
• Skipping cooling time before frosting.
  
• Overmixing the dough, leading to dense cookies.
  
• Crowding the baking sheet, which prevents even baking.
  

Storage and Freezing Tips

These cookies stay soft and delicious for days.

Microwave for 8 seconds to bring back that just-baked soft pumpkin texture.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make these ahead for fall parties?
Yes, freeze unfrosted cookies and frost before serving.

Can I use fresh pumpkin?
Yes, just make sure to strain excess liquid from homemade puree.

Do they spread much?
Not a lot they stay thick, soft, and cake-like.

Can I swap the frosting?
Cream cheese frosting works beautifully with pumpkin.

Conclusion

These soft pumpkin cookies with cinnamon frosting bring everything you want in fall treats baking: cozy spices, fluffy texture, and creamy sweetness. Whether you’re making them as Halloween fall desserts, a Thanksgiving favorite, or just for a weekend craving, they’re sure to become your most-requested pumpkin bakery recipe. Save this recipe now and share it with friends who love pumpkin cookies with frosting as much as you do.