Cozy Fall Magic: Ina Garten’s Pumpkin Cookies Recipe

Soft, pillowy pumpkin cookies with Ina Garten’s touch will make your autumn baking dreams come true.

These delectable treats blend warmth and sweetness in every single bite.

Garten knows exactly how to balance spices and create irresistible desserts that comfort the soul.

The aroma of cinnamon and nutmeg will fill your kitchen with pure fall magic.

Each cookie promises a delightful blend of tender texture and rich seasonal flavors.

Bakers of all skill levels can master this simple yet elegant recipe.

Grab your mixing bowl and get ready to indulge in a taste of pumpkin perfection that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 32 minutes

Calories: 150 kcal

Servings: 24

Everything in Ina Garten Pumpkin Cookies

• Pumpkin Puree: Creamy autumn treasure that brings rich, velvety texture and deep earthy sweetness to the cookies.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds delightful caramelized notes and helps create smooth, balanced flavor profile.
• Brown Sugar: Introduces gentle molasses undertones and helps maintain cookie moisture.
• Cinnamon: Warm spice that infuses cookies with classic autumn comfort and aromatic depth.
• Nutmeg: Subtle, nutty essence that complements pumpkin's natural sweetness.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor complexity and balances sweet components.

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides essential structure and tender crumb for perfect cookie consistency.
• Baking Soda: Ensures light, soft texture and helps cookies achieve beautiful golden-brown edges.
• Browned Butter: Delivers rich, nutty flavor with deep caramel undertones that elevate cookie experience.
• Egg Yolk: Contributes richness, binding properties, and helps create supremely smooth dough.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds elegant background note that harmonizes with pumpkin's warm character.

• Granulated Sugar: Creates delightful crispy exterior with sparkling sweet coating.
• Pumpkin Pie Spice: Signature autumn blend that crowns cookies with quintessential seasonal charm.

Gear for Baking Ina Garten Pumpkin Cookies

• Small Frying Pan: Essential for browning butter evenly and carefully.
• Rubber Spatula: Perfect for mixing ingredients and scraping down bowl sides.
• Whisk: Great for combining sugars, eggs, and creating smooth mixtures.
• Mixing Bowls: Needed for separating dry and wet ingredients.
• Baking Sheets: Crucial for baking cookies with even heat distribution.
• Parchment Paper: Prevents cookies from sticking and ensures easy cleanup.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Important for precise ingredient quantities.
• Small Bowl: Used for coating cookies in sugar-spice mixture.
• Saucepan: Necessary for making homemade pumpkin butter.

Simple Instructions for Ina Garten Pumpkin Cookies

Autumn Spice Cookies

• Butter Transformation

Brown butter in a pan until it develops a rich, nutty aroma. Let it cool slightly, then mix with warm spices and vanilla for a deep, complex flavor profile.

• Sweet Foundation

Blend sugars into the cooled butter mixture, creating a silky smooth base. Add an egg yolk to provide richness and help bind the cookie dough together.

• Flour Magic

Gently fold flour and baking soda into the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. The key is to avoid overmixing, which can make cookies tough.

• Chilling Time

Refrigerate the dough for about 30 minutes. This step helps intensify flavors and prevents spreading during baking.

• Spice Coating

Roll cookie dough into balls and dust with a fragrant mixture of sugar and warming spices. This creates a delightful crispy exterior.

• Baking Perfection

Bake cookies in a preheated oven until edges are golden and tops have a beautiful crackled appearance. The aroma will fill your kitchen with cozy autumn vibes.

• Homemade Pumpkin Spread (Optional)

Slowly cook pumpkin puree with seasonal spices until it transforms into a thick, luxurious spread. Cool completely before storing in the refrigerator.

Ways to Change Up Ina Garten Pumpkin Cookies

• Swap pumpkin butter with store-bought versions for a quick shortcut.
• Prepare cookie dough up to 3 days in advance and store in the refrigerator for convenient baking.
• Experiment with different spice blends like cardamom or ginger to create unique flavor profiles.
• Achieve chewier cookies by slightly underbaking and letting them rest on the baking sheet for 2-3 minutes after removing from the oven.
• Drizzle cooled cookies with cream cheese glaze or sprinkle with powdered sugar for an elegant touch.

Serving Suggestions for Ina Garten Pumpkin Cookies

• Pair with Creamy Companions: Serve these warm, spiced cookies alongside a cold glass of vanilla almond milk or a smooth cream cheese frosting for a delightful contrast in temperatures and textures.
• Autumn Dessert Platter: Create a festive fall-themed dessert board with these pumpkin cookies, adding cinnamon sticks, candied pecans, and a small scoop of maple walnut ice cream to enhance the seasonal flavors.
• Coffee Break Treat: Enjoy these cookies as a perfect afternoon pick-me-up, dunking them into a hot cup of chai latte or freshly brewed espresso to bring out the rich, warm spices in the cookie.
• Gifting Delight: Package these cookies in a cute mason jar with a ribbon, making them a charming homemade gift for neighbors, teachers, or friends during the autumn season.

Keep Ina Garten Pumpkin Cookies Fresh Longer

• Quick Chill and Store Method: Refrigerate cookie dough for 30-45 minutes to enhance flavor depth and prevent spreading during baking.
• Freeze Dough Balls: Portion and roll cookie dough into balls, then freeze in sealed containers for up to 3 months, allowing spontaneous fresh-baked treats anytime.
• Refrigeration Strategy: Store baked cookies in airtight containers for 5-7 days, separating layers with parchment paper to maintain crisp texture and prevent sticking.
• Room Temperature Tips: Let cookies cool completely before storing to prevent moisture buildup, which can make them soggy and reduce their delightful crispness.

Cozy Ina Garten Pumpkin Cookies Recipe

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4.8 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 32 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s pumpkin cookies blend warm spices with creamy richness for an irresistible autumn treat. Home bakers can easily craft these delectable morsels that showcase seasonal flavors with simple ingredients and straightforward preparation.

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Ingredients

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• ½ cup plus 2 tbsps (140g) unsalted butter, cold
• ½ cup (145g) pumpkin butter, store-bought or homemade
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar, plus ¼ cup for coating
• ½ cup (100g) dark brown sugar
• 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 2 tsps pumpkin pie spice, plus extra for topping
• ½ tsp fine sea salt

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Instructions

1. Pumpkin Butter Preparation: Simmer pumpkin puree in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring consistently. Blend in granulated white sugar, ground cinnamon, freshly grated nutmeg, and kosher salt, reducing heat and continuing to stir until the mixture thickens to a spreadable consistency.
2. Brown Butter Creation: Melt unsalted butter in a small saucepan over medium heat, carefully monitoring until it transforms into a rich, nutty brown color with separated milk solids. Remove from heat and cool for 5 minutes.
3. Flavor Infusion: Incorporate pumpkin pie spice, kosher salt, and pure vanilla extract into the browned butter. Whisk in granulated white sugar and dark brown sugar until smooth, then blend in the egg yolk and prepared pumpkin butter.
4. Dough Mixing: Combine all-purpose flour and baking soda in a separate bowl. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture using a flexible rubber spatula until fully integrated. Refrigerate the dough for 30-45 minutes to enhance flavor and texture.
5. Sugar Coating Preparation: Create a coating mixture by combining granulated white sugar with pumpkin pie spice in a small bowl.
6. Cookie Shaping and Baking: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Portion the chilled dough, rolling into uniform spheres and generously coating with the spiced sugar mixture. Arrange cookies on prepared sheets, maintaining adequate spacing.
7. Baking and Finishing: Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges turn lightly golden and surfaces crack characteristically. Cool completely before serving and store in a sealed container.

Notes

• Chill for Flavor Depth: Refrigerating the dough for 30-45 minutes allows sugars and spices to meld, intensifying the cookie’s rich, complex taste profile.
• Brown Butter Technique: Carefully brown butter to develop a nutty, caramelized flavor that elevates the entire cookie’s depth and complexity.
• Precise Sugar Coating: Roll cookies generously in spiced sugar mixture before baking to create a crisp, sparkling exterior with extra warmth and texture.
• Homemade Pumpkin Butter Matters: Crafting your own pumpkin butter ensures maximum flavor intensity and freshness compared to store-bought alternatives.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 12g
• Sodium: 150mg
• Fat: 7g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 22g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 2g
• Cholesterol: 30mg