Best Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe to Try Now
If you’re craving a cozy treat that captures the essence of fall, look no further than these Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies. Soft, tender, and bursting with warm spices and rich chocolate, this recipe is a delightful twist on classic cookies that’s perfect for the season. Whether you’re baking for a family gathering, a holiday party, or just a cozy night in, these Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies will quickly become a favorite you’ll want to make again and again.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Soft and Chewy Texture: The pumpkin puree keeps the cookies perfectly moist and tender, so every bite melts in your mouth.
- Balanced Sweetness: The chocolate chips add just the right amount of sweetness without overpowering the warm pumpkin flavors.
- Easy to Make: With simple pantry staples and minimal prep, you can whip up a batch quickly and easily.
- Perfect Fall Flavors: A comforting blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves makes these cookies feel like autumn in every bite.
- Versatile for All Occasions: Great for school lunches, office treats, or festive events, they please both kids and adults alike.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe comes together with simple, pantry-friendly ingredients that each play an important role in texture, flavor, and color. From fresh pumpkin puree for moistness to melting chocolate chips for sweetness, every ingredient brings something special to the table.
- Pumpkin Puree: Adds moisture and that signature pumpkin flavor, ensuring soft, chewy cookies.
- All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and the perfect base for the cookie dough.
- Baking Soda and Baking Powder: Helps the cookies rise and spread just right.
- Cinnamon, Nutmeg, and Cloves: Classic warming spices that make these cookies taste like fall.
- Brown Sugar and Granulated Sugar: Brown sugar adds moisture and chewiness, while granulated sugar ensures crisp edges.
- Butter: Gives richness and a buttery flavor to the cookies.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor with a sweet, aromatic note.
- Chocolate Chips: Offers melty bursts of indulgence scattered throughout each cookie.
- Egg: Binds the ingredients together and adds softness.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the other flavors.
Variations for Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
One of the best things about this Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe is how easily you can customize it. Whether you have dietary restrictions, want to experiment with flavors, or simply prefer different textures, these variations allow you to make them truly your own.
- Gluten-Free: Substitute with a cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend for a safe and delicious option.
- Vegan: Replace butter with coconut oil and use a flaxseed egg in place of the regular egg.
- Nutty Twist: Mix in chopped walnuts or pecans for added crunch and flavor.
- White Chocolate Chips: Swap out traditional chocolate chips with white chocolate for a sweeter profile.
- Spiced Up: Add a pinch of ginger or cardamom for an extra layer of depth in your spices.
How to Make Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients
Start by gathering and measuring all your ingredients. This ensures smooth sailing throughout the baking process and prevents any last-minute scrambling.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with both brown and granulated sugars until fluffy and light in color. This step helps create that perfect chewy texture you’ll love.
Step 3: Add the Wet Ingredients
Mix in the pumpkin puree and vanilla extract, followed by the egg. Stir well until the mixture is smooth and uniform, which will keep the cookies moist and flavorful.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. These spices are essential for that classic pumpkin cookie taste.
Step 5: Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined to avoid overmixing, which can make cookies tough.
Step 6: Fold in Chocolate Chips
Finally, fold in the chocolate chips evenly throughout the dough for melty chocolate in every bite.
Step 7: Bake
Drop spoonfuls of dough onto parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers remain soft.
Step 8: Cool and Enjoy
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps them set and develop the perfect texture.
Pro Tips for Making Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Butter and eggs at room temperature blend better for a smooth dough.
- Don’t Overmix the Dough: Stir until just combined to keep cookies tender.
- Measure Flour Correctly: Spoon flour into your measuring cup instead of scooping directly from the bag to avoid dense cookies.
- Chill the Dough: For thicker cookies, refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes before baking.
- Watch the Bake Time: Remove from oven when edges are firm but centers still look slightly soft for best texture.
- Use Fresh Spices: Freshly ground cinnamon and nutmeg significantly improve flavor intensity.
How to Serve Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
Garnishes
Sprinkle a little powdered sugar or drizzle some melted white chocolate across the top for an elegant finishing touch that elevates the presentation without overpowering the flavors.
Side Dishes
Pair these cookies with a warm cup of chai tea, spiced latte, or classic hot chocolate to complement the spices and make your snack time cozy and comforting.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange your Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies on a rustic wooden board alongside chunks of cheese and seasonal fruits for a charming fall-themed cookie platter that’s perfect for gatherings.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. Placing a slice of bread inside can help maintain softness.
Freezing
Freeze the baked cookies by wrapping them individually in plastic wrap and placing them in a freezer-safe container or bag. They stay delicious for up to 3 months.
Reheating
To revive their fresh-baked warmth, microwave a cookie for about 10 seconds or pop it in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes, and enjoy it soft and melty again.
FAQs
Can I use canned pumpkin puree for this recipe?
Absolutely! Canned pumpkin puree works perfectly and is actually the most convenient option; just make sure it’s 100% pumpkin and not pumpkin pie filling.
What if I don’t have all the spices on hand?
You can simplify the spice mix by using just cinnamon, which still gives a lovely warm flavor, or try a ready-made pumpkin pie spice blend for convenience.
Can I substitute chocolate chips with something else?
Yes! You can swap in raisins, dried cranberries, chopped nuts, or even butterscotch chips depending on your preference and what you have available.
How do I make these cookies vegan?
Use dairy-free butter alternatives like coconut oil or vegan margarine, and replace the egg with a flaxseed or chia egg to make this recipe vegan-friendly.
Why are my cookies spreading too much?
It could be due to too warm butter, too much baking soda, or not chilling the dough; try chilling your dough or adjusting these to reduce spreading.
Final Thoughts
Now that you’ve got the ultimate Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe in your baking arsenal, it’s time to bake up a batch and fill your kitchen with irresistible fall fragrance. These cookies are a heartwarming way to celebrate pumpkin season and share sweetness with friends and family. Trust me, once you try this recipe, it’ll quickly become your go-to for cozy autumn treats!
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Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
Soft, tender Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies bursting with warm fall spices and rich melty chocolate chips. Perfectly moist from pumpkin puree with a balanced sweetness and classic cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, these cookies are ideal for cozy autumn gatherings or any time you want a comforting seasonal treat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free (with flour substitution)
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
Sugars
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
Add-ins
- 1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Start by gathering and measuring all your ingredients to ensure a smooth baking process without last-minute scrambling.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with brown and granulated sugars until fluffy and light in color, creating the perfect base for chewy cookies.
- Add the Wet Ingredients: Mix in pumpkin puree and vanilla extract, followed by the egg. Stir well until the mixture is smooth and uniform, keeping the cookies moist and flavorful.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves for the classic pumpkin spice flavor.
- Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined to avoid tough cookies.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips: Evenly fold the chocolate chips throughout the dough for melty chocolate in every bite.
- Bake: Drop spoonfuls of dough onto parchment-lined baking sheets about 2 inches apart. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 12 to 15 minutes until edges are set but centers remain soft.
- Cool and Enjoy: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely, allowing them to set with perfect texture.
Notes
- Use room temperature butter and eggs for better blending and smooth dough.
- Do not overmix the dough; stir until ingredients are just combined to keep cookies tender.
- Spoon flour into measuring cups instead of scooping directly to avoid dense cookies.
- Chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking for thicker cookies.
- Remove from oven when edges are firm but centers are still slightly soft for best texture.
- Use freshly ground spices for optimal flavor intensity.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: pumpkin cookies, chocolate chip cookies, fall recipes, autumn treats, soft cookies, pumpkin spice cookies