Easy Ina Garten Pumpkin Cookies Recipe: Perfect Fall Treats

Pumpkin cookies bring warmth and comfort to any autumn gathering, capturing the essence of seasonal baking with their irresistible aroma.

Soft, spiced, and wonderfully tender, these delightful treats transform simple ingredients into a magical culinary experience.

Sweet notes of cinnamon and maple dance together, creating a nostalgic flavor profile that instantly transports you to cozy kitchen memories.

Baking these cookies fills your home with an inviting fragrance that beckons friends and family to gather around.

Rustic and homemade, these treats embody the spirit of comfort food with their rich, velvety texture and deep, earthy undertones.

Each bite tells a story of harvest celebrations and cherished moments shared over warm, freshly baked delights.

Prepare to fall in love with a recipe that promises pure, unadulterated seasonal happiness: get ready to bake!

Hints for Tasty Ina Garten Pumpkin Cookies

• Whip Room-Temperature Magic: Soften butter completely to transform cookie texture, ensuring silky smooth mixing and irresistible tenderness.
• Puree Precision Pick: Select pure canned pumpkin over pie filling, guaranteeing authentic flavor and perfect moisture balance.
• Grind Spice Brilliance: Crush whole spices moments before mixing to unleash maximum aromatic intensity and depth of warmth.
• Scoop Like a Pro: Employ consistent tablespoon measurements for bakery-worthy uniform cookies that bake evenly and look professional.
• Chill and Frost Wisdom: Wait until cookies cool completely, preventing cream cheese topping from sliding or melting unexpectedly.

Maintaining Ina Garten Pumpkin Cookies

• Vacuum Sealing: Lock in freshness by using a vacuum sealer for maximum protection. Wrap each cookie individually in plastic wrap before sealing to prevent freezer burn and maintain optimal taste. This method preserves moisture and prevents flavor transfer.
• Layered Freezing: Create strategic cookie stacks between parchment paper sheets inside freezer-safe containers. Separate layers carefully to prevent cookies from sticking together, ensuring easy separation when you're ready to enjoy. This technique maximizes storage space and keeps cookies intact.
• Room Temperature Trick: Keep cookies in a ceramic or glass container with a tight-fitting lid at room temperature for short-term storage. Place a small piece of bread inside to maintain softness and prevent drying out. Consume within 3-4 days for best quality and taste.

Different Takes on Ina Garten Pumpkin Cookies

• Nutty Pumpkin Delight: Replace pecans with chopped walnuts or almonds for a crunchy texture and rich, nutty flavor profile.
• Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Dream: Fold in dark chocolate chips into the cookie dough before baking to create a decadent, sweet-spiced combination.
• Maple Pecan Glaze: Swap cream cheese frosting with a maple-infused glaze by mixing maple syrup, powdered sugar, and a touch of heavy cream for a rich, autumnal finish.
• Spiced Cream Cheese Spread: Add extra warm spices like cardamom or ginger to the cream cheese frosting to enhance the seasonal warmth and complexity of the cookies.

Concluding Note on Ina Garten Pumpkin Cookies

Sweet whispers of autumn dance through kitchens with Ina Garten’s pumpkin cookies, promising comfort and nostalgia in each delectable bite.

Rich maple undertones weave magic into classic fall flavors, creating memorable moments shared around warm tables.

Cream cheese frosting adds luxurious depth, transforming simple cookies into gourmet experiences cherished by families and friends.

Pecans provide elegant crunch, completing sensory journeys that celebrate seasonal delights.

Pantry staples become culinary masterpieces through careful technique and passionate preparation.

Bakers ready to spread deliciousness: snap photos, share recipes, invite friends into delectable conversations that celebrate autumn’s sweet promises.

What Makes Ina Garten’s Pumpkin Cookies So Fun

• Harvest Flavor Explosion: Dive into a delightful autumn treat that captures the essence of seasonal warmth with rich pumpkin and cozy spices packed into every soft, tender bite.
• Quick and Foolproof Baking: Whip up these cookies in just 40 minutes with simple ingredients and straightforward steps that even beginner bakers can master confidently, making it a stress-free dessert option.
• Luxurious Cream Cheese Finish: Elevate your cookie experience with a silky-smooth cream cheese frosting that adds a tangy, luxurious layer of flavor, complemented by a zesty hint of lemon and crowned with a crunchy pecan for perfect texture contrast.
• Versatile Party Pleaser: Perfect for fall gatherings, holiday celebrations, or a cozy afternoon treat that will impress friends and family with minimal effort and maximum deliciousness.

Key Ingredients for Ina Garten Pumpkin Cookies

• All-Purpose Flour: The base for creating a soft, tender cookie texture with a light structure.
• Baking Powder: Helps the cookies rise and become light and fluffy.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and balances the sweetness.

• Butter, Sugar: Creates a rich, creamy base that provides sweetness and smooth texture.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add richness to the cookie.
• Canned Pumpkin: Adds moisture, subtle flavor, and beautiful orange color to the cookies.
• Maple Syrup: Brings a deep, natural sweetness with a warm, distinctive flavor.

• Cream Cheese: Provides a tangy, rich base for the smooth frosting.
• Confectioner Sugar: Sweetens and helps thicken the frosting.
• Milk: Adjusts the frosting consistency for smooth spreading.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds a classic, warm flavor to the frosting.
• Lemon Zest: Brings a bright, fresh note to the cream cheese frosting.
• Whole Pecans: Offers a crunchy garnish with a nutty flavor and elegant presentation.

Directions for Ina Garten Pumpkin Cookies

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 350°F (175°C). Make sure your rack is positioned in the center for even baking.

Step 2: Create Creamy Cookie Base

• Sugar
• Softened butter

Beat until light and fluffy. Pour in maple syrup and eggs, mixing until silky smooth. Fold in canned pumpkin and warm spices, blending thoroughly.

Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients

Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until you have a velvety smooth dough.

Step 4: Shape And Bake Cookies

Scoop generous spoonfuls of dough onto ungreased cookie sheets. Space them about 2 inches apart. Slide into the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes. Look for golden brown edges as your sign they’re perfectly done. Transfer to wire cooling racks.

Step 5: Whip Up Dreamy Frosting

• Confectioner sugar
• Milk
• Vanilla extract

Blend until silky. If the frosting seems too thick, splash in a bit more milk. Sprinkle in lemon zest for a bright finish.

Step 6: Decorate With Flair

Once cookies have completely cooled, generously spread cream cheese frosting on top. Crown each cookie with a whole pecan for that extra touch of elegance.

Ina Garten Pumpkin Cookies Recipe

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4.9 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s pumpkin cookies deliver autumn comfort wrapped in delicate spice and warmth. Creamy pumpkin and rich brown sugar create irresistible morsels perfect for seasonal gatherings where friends savor each sweet, tender bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 ½ cups flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup canned pumpkin
• 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese

Spices and Flavor Enhancers:

• 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground allspice
• ¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• Pinch ground cloves
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• Zest of 1 lemon
• Pinch of salt

Binding and Finishing Ingredients:

• 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 cup confectioner sugar
• ¼ cup milk
• Whole pecans

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to a precise 350°F (175°C), ensuring an even baking environment for the delicate pumpkin treats.
2. In a spacious mixing bowl, whip softened butter with granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and airy, creating a creamy foundation for the cookies.
3. Introduce maple syrup and eggs to the butter mixture, blending thoroughly until the ingredients harmonize into a smooth, cohesive liquid.
4. Incorporate canned pumpkin puree and warm autumn spices, stirring gently to distribute the flavors evenly throughout the dough.
5. Sift flour, baking powder, and salt together in a separate bowl to eliminate any potential lumps and ensure a consistent texture.
6. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring carefully until a uniform dough forms without overmixing.
7. Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, deposit rounded dollops of dough onto ungreased baking sheets, spacing them approximately 2 inches apart.
8. Slide the cookie sheets into the preheated oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, watching for golden-brown edges as an indicator of perfect doneness.
9. Transfer the baked cookies to wire cooling racks, allowing them to reach room temperature completely before frosting.
10. For the cream cheese frosting, beat cream cheese in a clean mixing bowl until it becomes smooth and fluffy.
11. Gradually add confectioner’s sugar, whole milk, and pure vanilla extract, mixing until the frosting reaches a silky, spreadable consistency.
12. If the frosting appears too thick, introduce additional milk, one teaspoon at a time, until achieving the desired texture.
13. Gently fold in fresh lemon zest to enhance the frosting’s brightness and complexity.
14. Once cookies have cooled entirely, generously spread the cream cheese frosting across the surface of each cookie.
15. Complete the presentation by placing a whole pecan atop each frosted cookie, adding a delightful crunch and visual appeal.

Notes

• Savor the seasonal magic of these pumpkin-packed treats that transform your kitchen into an autumn paradise.
• Elevate your baking game by mastering this foolproof recipe that guarantees soft, melt-in-your-mouth cookies every time.
• Customize spice levels easily by playing with cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger quantities to match your flavor preferences.
• Gluten-sensitive bakers can swap all-purpose flour with a quality gluten-free blend without compromising taste or texture.
• Maximize convenience by prepping cream cheese frosting in advance or freezing portioned cookie dough for spontaneous baking adventures.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 160 kcal
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg