There is something utterly magical about the cozy flavors of fall packed into a single bite, and that is exactly what you get with this Pumpkin Crinkle Cookies Recipe. These cookies are soft, tender, and bursting with warm spices and pumpkin goodness, making them the perfect treat to enjoy any time you want a sweet escape into autumn’s best tastes. The delightful crinkly tops dusted in powdered sugar add a charming touch, making these cookies not only irresistible but also a feast for the eyes. Whether you are baking for a holiday gathering or a quiet afternoon snack, this Pumpkin Crinkle Cookies Recipe will surely become a treasured favorite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this Pumpkin Crinkle Cookies Recipe has its role in creating those perfect soft, spiced, and fluffy cookies. From the buttery richness to the warm, aromatic spices and the vibrant pumpkin puree, each element contributes something essential to the final taste, texture, and appearance.
- Unsalted butter (1/2 cup, softened): Adds creamy richness and helps create the cookie’s tender crumb.
- Granulated sugar (1 cup): Provides sweetness and helps with the cookie’s light texture.
- Brown sugar (1/2 cup, packed): Brings a deep molasses note and extra moisture to keep cookies soft.
- Pumpkin puree (1/2 cup): The star ingredient, lending vibrant color, moistness, and that unmistakable pumpkin flavor.
- Large egg (1): Binds the ingredients together and adds richness.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Enhances the sweetness and rounds out all the spices.
- All-purpose flour (2 cups): The base that holds the dough together, providing structure.
- Baking powder (1 teaspoon): Helps the cookies rise and become perfectly fluffy.
- Baking soda (1/2 teaspoon): Works with the acid in pumpkin to create a soft texture.
- Ground cinnamon (1 teaspoon): Warming spice giving the classic pumpkin pie flavor.
- Ground nutmeg (1/2 teaspoon): Adds a sweet and nutty note that complements the pumpkin.
- Ground ginger (1/4 teaspoon): Brings a mild, spicy warmth for depth.
- Ground cloves (1/4 teaspoon): Offers a subtle, fragrant bite that rounds out the spice profile.
- Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
- Powdered sugar (1/2 cup): For rolling the dough balls to create the signature crinkly, sugar-dusted tops.
How to Make Pumpkin Crinkle Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
Start by creaming the softened butter with the granulated and brown sugars in a large mixing bowl until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This step is crucial because it introduces air into the dough, giving your cookies that wonderful soft texture.
Step 2: Mix in Pumpkin and Egg
Next, add in the pumpkin puree, egg, and vanilla extract. Mix everything until fully combined. The pumpkin not only adds moisture but also infuses the dough with its rich autumn flavor.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and salt. Getting the spices evenly mixed ensures that every cookie bursts with balanced warmth.
Step 4: Incorporate Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing gently until just combined. The dough will be sticky, so resist the urge to overmix, which helps keep your cookies soft and tender.
Step 5: Chill the Dough
Cover the dough and place it in the refrigerator for at least one hour. Chilling makes it easier to handle sticky dough and helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
Step 6: Shape and Sugar the Cookies
Once chilled, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Then scoop the dough into balls and roll each ball generously in powdered sugar to create that iconic crinkled look when baked.
Step 7: Bake and Cool
Arrange the sugar-coated dough balls on the baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between each. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the cookies are set and cracked on top. Let them cool on the sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
How to Serve Pumpkin Crinkle Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
These cookies shine on their own, but if you want to elevate their presentation, try sprinkling a little extra powdered sugar right before serving or add a light drizzle of white chocolate or caramel for a decadent touch.
Side Dishes
Serve your Pumpkin Crinkle Cookies alongside a steaming cup of chai tea, coffee, or hot cocoa. The spices in the cookies harmonize beautifully with these warm drinks, making your snack time feel like a comforting hug.
Creative Ways to Present
For gatherings, stack the cookies on a festive platter or place them inside small glass jars tied with a pretty ribbon. They also make charming gifts when packaged in holiday tins, letting the Pumpkin Crinkle Cookies Recipe delight loved ones near and far.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your leftover cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay soft and delicious for up to 4 days, making it easy to enjoy them at your leisure.
Freezing
If you want to make a big batch ahead of time, these cookies freeze beautifully. Freeze baked cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet first, then transfer them to a freezer bag or container. They’ll last up to 3 months frozen without losing their lovely texture.
Reheating
To bring frozen or stored cookies back to life, pop them into a warm oven for a few minutes or microwave briefly. This warms up the pumpkin and spices, reviving that fresh-baked taste you crave.
FAQs
Can I use canned pumpkin for this Pumpkin Crinkle Cookies Recipe?
Absolutely! In fact, canned pumpkin puree is perfect for these cookies and is the most convenient option. Just make sure it’s pure pumpkin and not pumpkin pie filling, which has extra spices and sweeteners.
Are these cookies gluten-free?
This classic recipe calls for all-purpose flour, so it is not gluten-free. However, you can experiment with gluten-free flour blends to make a version that suits your dietary needs.
Can I substitute the spices if I don’t have all of them?
Yes! Cinnamon is the most important spice, but if you don’t have nutmeg, ginger, or cloves, you can reduce or omit them. The cookies will still taste wonderful with just cinnamon.
How do I get the crinkle effect on the cookies?
The crinkly top comes from rolling the sticky dough balls in powdered sugar before baking. As the cookies bake and expand, the sugar cracks and creates that beautiful cracked look.
Can I make these cookies vegan?
To make a vegan version, substitute the butter for plant-based margarine, and use a flax egg or another egg replacer. The texture may be slightly different but still delicious.
Final Thoughts
There is something truly special about homemade Pumpkin Crinkle Cookies Recipe. It’s a recipe that feels like a warm embrace from autumn itself, blending fragrant spices and rich pumpkin into soft, sugary delights you’ll want to bake again and again. I encourage you to give this recipe a try—the process is simple, the ingredients are comforting, and the results are downright magical. Your baking adventure is just a few steps away from creating cookie memories you and your loved ones will cherish!
Print
Pumpkin Crinkle Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 32 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Pumpkin Crinkle Cookies are soft, moist, and bursting with warm autumn spices. Coated in powdered sugar, they bake into delightful crinkled tops, making them perfect for holiday gatherings or cozy fall treats. The combination of pumpkin puree and aromatic spices gives these cookies a unique, flavorful twist on the classic crinkle cookie.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Coating
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Mix in the pumpkin puree, egg, and vanilla extract until thoroughly combined.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and salt to ensure even distribution.
- Combine Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. The dough will be sticky at this stage.
- Chill the Dough: Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or until firm enough to handle comfortably.
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Prepare Coating: Place the powdered sugar in a small bowl ready for coating the cookies.
- Shape the Cookies: Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, scoop out portions of the chilled dough and roll them into smooth balls.
- Coat the Dough Balls: Roll each dough ball thoroughly in the powdered sugar until completely coated.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the cookies are set and the tops are cracked, indicating perfect doneness.
- Cool the Cookies: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Make sure to chill the dough well to prevent spreading and achieve the crinkled effect.
- For a stronger pumpkin flavor, use canned pumpkin puree rather than pumpkin pie filling.
- These cookies can be stored in an airtight container for up to 5 days at room temperature.
- To maintain freshness, you can also freeze the cookie dough balls before baking and bake them directly from frozen, adding an extra minute or two to baking time.
- Feel free to adjust spices according to your preference for a milder or stronger spice flavor.
