Soft and Chewy Pumpkin Spice Cookies Recipe: A Fall Favorite
There’s nothing that says “fall” quite like pumpkin spice! If you’re looking for a simple and delicious cookie recipe to embrace the season, these soft and chewy pumpkin spice cookies are perfect. Whether you’re serving them at a family gathering or just craving a cozy snack with your afternoon coffee, this easy-to-follow recipe will hit the spot every time.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to make these cookies from start to finish, with tips on getting the perfect texture and flavor.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup shortening
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Optional: cinnamon and sugar for sprinkling
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 375°F. This ensures your cookies bake evenly and get that perfect texture—crispy edges with a soft, chewy center.
2. Cream the Sugar and Shortening
In a large mixing bowl, cream together 1 cup of sugar and 1/2 cup of shortening until smooth. This step is essential for achieving a light, fluffy cookie base.
3. Add Wet Ingredients
Next, add in 2 large eggs, 1 cup of pumpkin puree, and 1 teaspoon of baking soda. Mix well until fully combined.
4. Mix in Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon each of ginger and nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon of cloves, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Slowly incorporate this into the wet mixture until just combined. Don’t overmix, as this can result in denser cookies.
5. Drop the Dough
Using a teaspoon for smaller cookies (or a tablespoon for larger ones), drop rounded balls of dough onto a greased or lined cookie sheet, leaving about 2 inches of space between each cookie.
6. Add a Cinnamon-Sugar Topping
For extra flavor, sprinkle the tops of your cookies with a cinnamon-sugar mix before baking.
7. Bake
Bake in the preheated oven for 9-11 minutes (add an extra 2-3 minutes for larger cookies). The cookies should be soft in the center but firm at the edges. Allow them to cool on the baking sheet for a couple of minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips for the Best Pumpkin Spice Cookies:
- Use Fresh Spices: For the best flavor, make sure your spices are fresh. Old spices can lose their potency.
- Room Temperature Eggs: Using room temperature eggs helps the dough mix more smoothly.
- Don’t Overbake: Keep an eye on the cookies toward the end of baking. You want them to be just set and soft, as they’ll continue to firm up as they cool.
Variations and Add-Ins:
- Add Chocolate Chips: For a chocolatey twist, stir in 1/2 cup of chocolate chips to the dough.
- Add Nuts: Chopped pecans or walnuts are a great addition for a bit of crunch.
- Glazed Pumpkin Cookies: Drizzle a simple vanilla glaze over the top of the cooled cookies for extra sweetness.
Serving and Storage:
These pumpkin spice cookies are perfect for fall gatherings, Thanksgiving dessert tables, or just enjoying with a hot cup of coffee or tea. Store leftover cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days, or freeze them for longer storage.
These soft and chewy pumpkin spice cookies are an easy and delicious way to celebrate fall. Whether you’re an experienced baker or just looking for a quick and flavorful recipe, these cookies are sure to become a seasonal favorite. Give them a try and let me know how they turn out in the comments below!
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