If you’re hunting for the ultimate cozy treat this fall, let me share my absolute favorite: the Frosted Soft Pumpkin Sugar Cookies Recipe. I promise, these cookies are the kind of soft, melt-in-your-mouth delight that instantly bring the warmth of autumn right into your kitchen. Made with pumpkin butter and cinnamon sugar, they’re perfectly balanced between sweet and spice—and topped with a dreamy cream cheese frosting that’s the cherry on top. Stick around because I’ll walk you through each step so you can nail this recipe every time.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Soft & Chewy Texture: These cookies strike the perfect softness thanks to pumpkin butter and cream cheese frosting, making each bite a cozy hug.
Easy to Make: With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, even if you’re new to baking, you’ll get fantastic results.
Perfect Fall Flavor: Pumpkin, cinnamon, and nutmeg come together beautifully to make these cookies ideal for autumn gatherings or just a sweet seasonal treat.
Decorate Your Way: The cream cheese frosting is a blank canvas—sprinkles or no sprinkles, you can customize these for holidays or everyday joy.

The image shows seven round cookies with a light brown base topped with a thick, creamy layer of white frosting spread unevenly on each cookie. On top of the frosting, there are various small sprinkles in orange, white, and gold, some shaped like mini pumpkins and others like tiny rods or balls, all scattered across the surface. The cookies are placed on a black wire cooling rack, and there are two small decorative pumpkins with dark orange and brown hues positioned among the cookies. The background surface is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Frosted Soft Pumpkin Sugar Cookies, pumpkin sugar cookie recipe, soft pumpkin cookies with cream cheese frosting, fall holiday pumpkin cookies, easy pumpkin cookie recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this Frosted Soft Pumpkin Sugar Cookies Recipe lies not just in the pumpkin, but in how all these ingredients come together. I always recommend using room temperature ingredients—it really makes a difference in how smooth and fluffy your dough and frosting turn out.

Flat lay of creamy pumpkin butter swirled in a small glass jar, rich brown sugar crystals piled high, warm cinnamon sticks, whole nutmeg pods, smooth cream cheese block, soft golden sticks of salted butter, a heap of fine powdered sugar dusted lightly nearby, and colorful fall-themed sprinkles scattered artfully, placed on a white marble surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Frosted Soft Pumpkin Sugar Cookies, pumpkin sugar cookie recipe, soft pumpkin cookies with cream cheese frosting, fall holiday pumpkin cookies, easy pumpkin cookie recipe

Salted Butter: Make sure it’s softened to room temperature for easy mixing and creamy texture.
Brown Sugar: Packed tightly to bring moisture and a rich caramel note.
Pumpkin Butter: This adds pumpkin flavor without altering the cookie’s texture—think of it as pumpkin in its most luscious form.
Vanilla Extract: A staple for bringing out all the warm spices.
Egg: At room temperature to help bind the dough smoothly.
All-Purpose Flour: The foundation for the cookies—measure carefully for the right softness.
Baking Soda: Helps the cookies rise just enough.
Cinnamon: Adds classic warmth and autumn vibes.
Nutmeg: A pinch for depth and cozy fall flavor.
Salt: Balances all the sweetness perfectly.
Cinnamon Sugar: For rolling the dough balls and adding a slight crunch with every bite.
Cream Cheese: Room temperature to blend seamlessly into the frosting.
Powdered Sugar: For a light, airy, and sweet frosting finish.
Fall Sprinkles: Totally optional, but I love sprinkling these on top for festive flair.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love getting creative with this Frosted Soft Pumpkin Sugar Cookies Recipe. You’ll find that you can tweak the flavors a bit depending on what you have on hand or your personal taste. Don’t be shy about making it your own!

Spiced Up: I sometimes add a little ground cloves or ginger to the dough for extra autumn spice, and it really elevates the flavor.
Dairy-Free Version: Swap butter for vegan butter and use a dairy-free cream cheese to keep it soft and delicious.
Maple Frosting: Replace the vanilla in the frosting with maple extract for a sweet twist that pairs beautifully with pumpkin.
Gluten-Free: You can substitute the flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking mix—just watch the dough consistency while mixing.

How to Make Frosted Soft Pumpkin Sugar Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Cream Butter and Sugars until Fluffy

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, I like to beat together the softened butter, brown sugar, and vanilla extract. At first, it looks gritty and dense, but keep going until it’s light and creamy—this takes about 2 to 3 minutes with a mixer. That fluffy texture is your secret for an irresistibly soft cookie.

Step 2: Mix in Pumpkin Butter and Egg

Next, add the pumpkin butter. I discovered that using pumpkin butter (instead of pumpkin puree) keeps your dough perfectly soft without adding too much moisture. Blend that in smoothly, then add the egg, making sure everything looks well combined before moving on.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients and Form Dough

In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Gradually add these dry ingredients into your wet mixture using a mixer on low speed. Don’t overmix here—just combine until you see the dough come together. If you mix too much, your cookies might get tough, and we want soft and pillowy every time.

Step 4: Roll into Balls and Coat with Cinnamon Sugar

Grab tablespoon-sized scoops of dough and roll them into balls. Then roll each ball through that cinnamon sugar mixture—this step adds a subtle crunch and extra flavor contrast. Place your cookie dough balls about 3 inches apart on your prepared baking sheet. The spacing helps them spread perfectly without merging.

Step 5: Bake and Cool

Bake for 8 minutes, then give your baking sheet a good 180-degree rotation (this helps them cook evenly). Afterward, bake for another 3 to 4 minutes. I learned that watching the edges of the cookies is key: when they just start setting but the centers still look soft, they’re ready. Let the cookies cool right on the pan to finish firming up.

Step 6: Mix the Cream Cheese Frosting

While the cookies cool, whip up the frosting by beating softened cream cheese and butter until smooth with an electric mixer. Add the vanilla, powdered sugar, and salt, beating until fluffy and light. This frosting is luscious but not overly sweet—the perfect partner for the pumpkin sugar cookies.

Step 7: Frost and Decorate

Spread a generous layer of frosting on each cooled cookie. Don’t rush this part—it’s so worth taking your time and making each one pretty. I love throwing some fall sprinkles on top for an extra festive crunch, but you can keep it simple or jazz it up however you like.

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Pro Tips for Making Frosted Soft Pumpkin Sugar Cookies Recipe

Use Room Temperature Ingredients: It makes mixing smoother and helps create that soft, creamy texture everyone loves.
Watch Baking Time Closely: Overbaking dries out your cookies fast, so keep an eye right near the end to catch the perfect soft edge.
Rotate Your Baking Sheet: It ensures even baking and helps your cookies cook consistently on all sides.
Don’t Skip the Cinnamon Sugar Roll: It adds that subtle crisp flavor that balances the soft center beautifully.

How to Serve Frosted Soft Pumpkin Sugar Cookies Recipe

The image shows a group of round cookies, each with one thick, creamy white frosting layer on top. The frosting is smooth and spread evenly, decorated with small orange, white, and gold sprinkles scattered on the surface. One cookie is lifted slightly, showing the soft brown cookie base beneath the frosting. The cookies rest on a black wire cooling rack placed on a white marbled surface. Around the cookies, there are a few small, shiny dark orange mini pumpkins adding a warm autumn feel. Bright sunlight shines on the scene, creating strong shadows and highlighting the textures. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Frosted Soft Pumpkin Sugar Cookies, pumpkin sugar cookie recipe, soft pumpkin cookies with cream cheese frosting, fall holiday pumpkin cookies, easy pumpkin cookie recipe

Garnishes

I usually go for pretty fall-themed sprinkles with this recipe—little pumpkins, leaves, or just gold and orange sparkles. Sometimes I add a tiny drizzle of melted white chocolate on top for a touch of elegance. What I love is how the frosting helps the sprinkles stick and not slide off.

Side Dishes

These cookies are great with a spicy chai latte, steaming hot apple cider, or even a creamy latte if you’re more coffee-inclined. For fall parties, I serve them alongside roasted pumpkin seeds and a platter of fresh fruit for a balanced spread.

Creative Ways to Present

I’ve wrapped these cookies in cellophane tied with orange twine to give as gifts, and at family gatherings, I arrange them in a layered mason jar with parchment between layers to keep them fresh and look stunning. You can also stack them on a cake stand with autumn decor—people always ask for seconds!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store these cookies in an airtight container in the fridge because of the cream cheese frosting. They stay soft and fresh for up to 4 days, but honestly, they rarely last that long in my house!

Freezing

If you want to freeze these, frost the cookies after thawing—not before. Freeze the plain cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer bag. When you’re ready, thaw at room temperature, then add frosting fresh for best texture and taste.

Reheating

These cookies are best served at room temperature, but if you want to warm them up, pop them in a microwave for about 10 seconds. Just be careful not to melt the frosting too much. This little warm-up revives the softness and makes the spices even more fragrant.

FAQs

Can I substitute pumpkin puree for pumpkin butter in this recipe?

While pumpkin puree is a common pantry staple, for this Frosted Soft Pumpkin Sugar Cookies Recipe, pumpkin butter works best because it’s thicker and sweeter, which helps maintain the dough’s consistency. If you only have puree, try reducing other liquid ingredients slightly and consider adding a bit more brown sugar for sweetness.
How do I keep my Frosted Soft Pumpkin Sugar Cookies from being too flat or spreading too much?

Make sure your butter is softened, not melted, and measure your flour accurately. Chilling the dough for 15-30 minutes before baking can also help control spreading. Also, don’t skip rolling in cinnamon sugar—it adds a bit of texture that helps cookies hold shape.
Can I make these cookies vegan?

Absolutely. Use vegan butter and egg substitute alternatives like flax eggs for the dough, and a dairy-free cream cheese for frosting. The texture will be slightly different but still incredibly tasty and soft!
What’s the best way to decorate these cookies for kids’ parties?

Keep it simple with colorful fall sprinkles or edible glitter that sticks well to cream cheese frosting. You can also use small candy pumpkins or harvest-themed decorations for fun and easy cookie decorating sessions with kids.
How should I store leftover frosted cookies?

Store frosted cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days to keep the frosting fresh. If you prefer softer frosting, let the cookies come to room temperature before enjoying.

Final Thoughts

Confession: this Frosted Soft Pumpkin Sugar Cookies Recipe has become my go-to for autumn baking. Every time I make it, friends and family ask for the recipe because these cookies just have that special soft texture and fall flavor combo that feels like a warm sweater on a chilly day. I really hope you’ll give it a try and enjoy the process as much as the final delicious result. Happy baking—and pumpkin spice everything!