Table of Contents
When the air turns crisp and leaves paint the ground in rich warm hues, nothing captures the cozy spirit of the season quite like the aroma of freshly baked Pumpkin Snickerdoodles. This recipe is a harmonious blend of traditional snickerdoodles with a burst of pumpkin magic and warm spices that will make your taste buds dance with joy. Perfect for cookie swaps, coffee breaks, or simply indulging in a sweet moment, these cookies offer softness, a slight chew, and the perfect cinnamon-sugar coating that defines snickerdoodles. As you mix, bake, and savor, this recipe invites you to embrace the comforting flavors of fall with every bite.
Print
Soft Pumpkin Snickerdoodles You’ll Love
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A cozy fall cookie that combines traditional snickerdoodle flavors with pumpkin and warm spices for a soft, chewy treat.
Ingredients
- ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter melted and cooled for at least 10 minutes
- ½ cup (100 g) sugar
- ⅓ cup (70 g) light brown sugar tightly packed
- ¼ cup (73 g) pumpkin puree
- 1 large egg yolk
- ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups (190 g) all purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup (50 g) sugar (for topping)
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon (for topping)
Instructions
- Combine butter, sugar, and brown sugar and stir until well-combined. Add pumpkin and stir well.
- Stir in egg yolk and vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, pumpkin spice, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt until well-combined.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet until ingredients are well-combined.
- Cover cookie dough with clear wrap and chill for at least 45 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350F (175C) and prepare a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix sugar and cinnamon for topping.
- Remove dough from refrigerator, scoop into 1 ½ tablespoon-sized balls.
- Roll balls in cinnamon sugar and place on baking sheet 2″ apart.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, cool completely before enjoying.
Notes
Use unsalted butter for flavor control. Chill dough to prevent spreading. Don’t overbake for chewy texture. Store in airtight container.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients You’ll Need
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Unsalted butter | ½ cup (113 g) | Melted and cooled for at least 10 minutes |
| Sugar | ½ cup (100 g) | Granulated sugar for sweetness |
| Light brown sugar | ⅓ cup (70 g) | Tightly packed for rich molasses flavor |
| Pumpkin puree | ¼ cup (73 g) | Adds moisture and flavor |
| Egg yolk | 1 large | For richness and binding |
| Vanilla extract | ¾ teaspoon | Enhances the flavor |
| All-purpose flour | 1 ½ cups (190 g) | Provides structure |
| Pumpkin pie spice | 1 ½ teaspoons | Warming fall spices blend |
| Baking soda | ½ teaspoon | Leavening agent |
| Cream of tartar | ¼ teaspoon | Adds slight tanginess and helps texture |
| Salt | ½ teaspoon | Balances sweetness |
For the Topping
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar | ¼ cup (50 g) | To coat the cookie surface |
| Ground cinnamon | 2 teaspoons | Essential for that classic snickerdoodle taste |
Step-by-step Pumpkin Snickerdoodles Baking Instructions
- Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, combine the melted and cooled unsalted butter with the granulated sugar and light brown sugar. Stir thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Add the pumpkin puree and mix well to integrate the flavors. - Add Egg and Vanilla
Stir in the egg yolk along with the vanilla extract. The egg yolk enriches the dough while the vanilla enhances the aromatic profile. - Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt until well combined. This ensures even distribution of the leavening agents and spices. - Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures
Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring until a uniform dough forms. Cover the dough bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 45 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and for the dough to firm. - Prepare for Baking
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cookie removal and cleanup. Mix together the topping ingredients sugar and ground cinnamon in a small bowl. - Shape and Coat the Cookies
Remove the chilled dough from the fridge. Use a tablespoon measure to scoop out 1 ½ tablespoon-sized portions. Roll each portion between your palms to form smooth balls. Roll the balls thoroughly in the cinnamon-sugar mixture before placing them on the prepared baking sheet. Ensure cookies are spaced at least 2 inches apart. - Bake and Cool
Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes. Keep chilled dough refrigerated while baking batches to maintain shape and texture. After baking, allow cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet before enjoying.
Helpful Tips for Perfect Pumpkin Snickerdoodles
- Use Unsalted Butter: Using unsalted butter gives you precise control over the salt content, ensuring the cookie flavor balances perfectly without being too salty or overpowering.
- Chill Your Dough: Chilling is key to preventing the cookies from spreading too much, preserving the chewy texture that makes snickerdoodles so delightful.
- Don’t Overbake: Remove cookies as soon as the edges set. They continue to firm up as they cool, so a slightly soft center is ideal for chewy perfection.
- Pumpkin Pie Spice Substitute: If you don’t have pumpkin pie spice, blend ground cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, allspice, and cloves for a homemade mix with fragrant warmth.
- Storage: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or freeze for longer storage.
Conclusion
Pumpkin Snickerdoodles are a celebration of fall in every bite, combining the nostalgic spice of snickerdoodles with the moist richness of pumpkin. These cookies are straightforward to make yet impressively addictive, making them a must-add to your autumn baking list. Whether you’re baking for family, friends, or a festive gathering, these cookies offer warmth, comfort, and delightful flavor that embody the spirit of the season. Enjoy the cozy crunch of cinnamon sugar and the tender pumpkin-spiced center it’s pure fall indulgence!