Autumn Gold Soft Pumpkin Spice Cookies with Salted Caramel Frosting

Soft Pumpkin Caramel Cookies

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Preparation time:30 Mins

Cooking time:24 Mins

Servings:22

Ingredients:

• 2 ¼ cups All-Purpose Flour
• 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
• ½ teaspoon Baking Powder
• 2 teaspoons Ground Cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon Ground Ginger
• ½ teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
• ¾ teaspoon Salt
• ½ cup Unsalted Butter (softened)
• 1 cup Light Brown Sugar (packed)
• ¼ cup Granulated Sugar
• 2 Large Eggs (room temperature)
• ¾ cup Pure Pumpkin Purée
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
• For the Caramel Drizzle:
• ½ cup Granulated Sugar
• 2 tablespoons Water
• ¼ cup Heavy Cream (warm)
• 2 tablespoons Unsalted Butter (cubed)
• ½ teaspoon Flaky Sea Salt
• For the Frosting:
• 8 ounces Cream Cheese (full-fat, softened)
• ½ cup Unsalted Butter (softened)
• 3 ½ cups Powdered Sugar (sifted)
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract

Instructions:

• Prepare the Caramel: Combine ½ cup sugar and 2 tablespoons water in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook without stirring until the mixture turns a deep amber brown. Remove from heat and carefully whisk in the warm heavy cream (the mixture will bubble vigorously). Whisk in the 2 tablespoons of butter and ½ teaspoon of salt until smooth. Set aside to cool completely.
• Make the Cookie Dough Dry Ingredients: Whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and ¾ teaspoon salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.
• Make the Cookie Dough Wet Ingredients: In a stand mixer, cream the ½ cup butter, brown sugar, and ¼ cup granulated sugar until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes). Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the pumpkin purée and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
• Combine Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients mixture to the wet ingredients on low speed until just combined. Do not overmix. Wrap the dough tightly and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
• Bake the Cookies: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Scoop the chilled dough into 1.5 tablespoon-sized balls and place them 2 inches apart on the prepared sheets.
• Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers still appear slightly soft. Cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before carefully transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.
• Prepare the Frosting: Beat the softened cream cheese and ½ cup butter until smooth. Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract on low speed, then increase speed and beat until light and fluffy.
• Frost and Finish: Once the cookies are completely cool, frost them generously using an offset spatula or piping bag. Drizzle the cooled salted caramel liberally over the frosting. Allow the caramel to set slightly before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Calories:375 kcal

Protein:2.0 g

Fat:13.1 g

Carbs:34.8 g

Fiber:4.4 g

Sugar:0.0 g

Sodium:2756 mg

Recipe Info

Category:Dessert

Cuisine:American

Unveiling the Ultimate Autumn Gold Dessert Experience

There is a magic that settles over the kitchen when the air outside turns crisp, signalling the peak season for pumpkin-infused everything. Forget the overly-spiced, slightly grainy cookies of yesteryear; we are embarking on a journey to create something truly magnificent: the definitive Pumpkin Cookies with Caramel Frosting . This recipe elevates the humble spiced drop cookie into a sophisticated, textural delight, pairing the soft, comforting crumb of a perfect pumpkin bake with the luxurious, complex sweetness of homemade caramel. If you are searching for truly memorable Holiday Baking Pumpkin Desserts , this decadent creation will undoubtedly become the centerpiece of your seasonal rotation.

Why This Pumpkin Cookies with Caramel Frosting Recipe Reigns Supreme

The quest for the perfect seasonal bake often ends in disappointment—either the cookie is too cakey, too flat, or the spices are lost beneath cloying sweetness. Our Pumpkin Caramel Cookies Recipe bypasses these common pitfalls by focusing intently on two core elements: achieving exceptional softness in the cookie structure and balancing that richness with a tangy, salty finish. We are aiming for a cookie that melts slightly on the tongue, supported by a robust caramel embrace.

The Chef's Philosophy: Spice, Softness, and Seasonal Cheer

My approach to From Scratch Pumpkin Cookies centres on depth of flavour and supreme texture. We use a precise blend of cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg—not just enough to whisper "autumn," but enough to sing it. Crucially, the ratio of pumpkin purée to flour is finely tuned. This high moisture content is what guarantees that trademark pillowy softness we crave, ensuring these are truly Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Caramel Frosting . The sweetness is anchored by a combination of brown and white sugars, creating a more complex profile than just standard granulated sugar allows.

Setting Expectations: Texture vs. Traditional Baked Goods

It is vital to understand that these are not thin, crispy cookies destined for dunking. These are substantial, moist creations, closer in texture to a tender cake top than a cracker. This inherent softness is what allows them to stand up perfectly to the weight and richness of the topping. We achieve this stability through careful chilling of the dough, which concentrates the flavour and prevents excessive spreading during the bake, leading to perfectly mounded cookies ready for their crowning glory.

A Preview of the Decadent Salted Caramel Finish

The true differentiator in this recipe is the topping. We are not just using a simple glaze; we are layering flavour. The base is a luxurious, tangy Pumpkin Cookies with Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting . This cream cheese element cuts through the intense richness of the pumpkin and spice, providing a necessary acidic lift. Then, we swirl in a homemade salted caramel drizzle—it’s this touch of sea salt that truly marries the sweetness of the cookie with the tang of the frosting, creating Pumpkin Cookies with Salted Caramel Frosting that demand a second bite.

Curating the Essential Pantry Components

To execute this recipe successfully, preparation is key. Having the right ingredients on hand, and ensuring they are at the correct temperature, simplifies the process immensely, turning what could be a complex undertaking into an enjoyable rhythm of mixing and waiting.

Mastering the List: Separating Cookie Needs from Frosting Requirements

When gathering your supplies for these Pumpkin Dessert Recipes , think in two distinct groups: the spice base and the sweet finish. This prevents cross-contamination of tools and ensures optimal mixing environments for each component.

Foundation Ingredients for the Spiced Pumpkin Cookie Base

For the cookie itself, the foundation relies heavily on standard baking staples but executed with precision. You will require 2 ¼ cups of all-purpose flour, balanced with leavening agents—a teaspoon of baking soda and a half teaspoon of baking powder—to give the cookies their lift. The fat component is ½ cup of unsalted butter, softened perfectly to room temperature, which creams beautifully with 1 cup of packed light brown sugar and ¼ cup of granulated sugar. These elements are essential for achieving that signature chewiness.

Selecting Premium Pumpkin Purée: A Critical Ingredient Choice

The star ingredient demands attention: ¾ cup of pure pumpkin purée is non-negotiable. It must be 100% pumpkin, not the sweetened and spiced pie filling; using the latter will dramatically alter the moisture balance and overall flavour, resulting in a less desirable outcome for our Pumpkin Caramel Cookies Recipe . Ensure this purée is at room temperature, which helps it incorporate smoothly into the creamed butter mixture without causing the dough to curdle.

Crafting the Salty-Sweet Component: Caramel Drizzle Elements

The caramel demands attention as it introduces temperature sensitivity. You need only ½ cup of granulated sugar and a splash of water to start the caramel base, later whisked with ¼ cup of warm heavy cream and 2 tablespoons of cubed unsalted butter. The final flourish is ½ teaspoon of flaky sea salt, which transforms this into the sophisticated salted caramel required for the topping.

Essential Kitchen Hardware: Tools Beyond the Basics

While a standard bowl and whisk can manage basic mixing, achieving the necessary airiness in both the cookie dough and the frosting is greatly enhanced by a stand mixer or a powerful hand mixer. A cookie scoop—ideally a 1.5 tablespoon size—is highly recommended to ensure all the cookies bake uniformly in their 10 to 12 minutes of oven time. On top of that,, a heavy-bottomed saucepan is crucial for the caramel to distribute heat evenly and prevent scorching during the crucial sugar melting phase.

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The Step-by-Step Symphony: Baking the Perfect Pumpkin Cookies

The construction of these cookies follows a classic creaming method, but the timing in the oven is what sets them apart. After preheating your oven to 350° F ( 175° C) and lining your baking sheets with parchment paper, you first prepare the dry elements by whisking the flour, spices (2 teaspoons cinnamon, 1 teaspoon ginger, ½ teaspoon nutmeg), baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.

In your mixer, cream the softened butter with the brown and granulated sugars until the mixture is noticeably light and fluffy—this aeration takes about three minutes. Next, incorporate the two room-temperature eggs one at a time, followed by the room-temperature pumpkin purée and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Once fully combined, gradually add the dry flour mixture on low speed. The critical instruction here is to mix only until the last streak of flour disappears; overmixing develops gluten and ruins the intended soft texture.

Achieving Perfection in the Whipping of the Cream Cheese Frosting

While the cookie dough is chilling—a necessary minimum of one hour in the refrigerator to solidify the fats and deepen the flavour—you can turn your attention to the topping. The rich caramel drizzle should be prepared first, allowed to cool to room temperature so it remains liquid but not hot when incorporated into the frosting later.

Mixing Methodology: Integrating Wet and Dry Pumpkin Cookie Components

If you are making the frosting while the dough chills, ensure your 8 ounces of full-fat cream cheese and ½ cup of butter are genuinely soft. Beat these together first until they are completely smooth and homogenous. Then, gradually introduce the 3 ½ cups of sifted powdered sugar, alternating with 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Beat on medium-high speed until the frosting is light, airy, and holds a lovely soft peak suitable for spreading or piping.

Chilling and Scooping: Ensuring Uniformity Before Oven Time

Once the dough has rested, scoop uniform balls onto your prepared sheets, spacing them about two inches apart. Place them in the preheated 350° F oven for only 10 to 12 minutes. You are looking for edges that are set and slightly puffed, but the centres should still appear just slightly soft; they will firm up significantly as they cool on the baking sheet for five minutes before being moved to wire racks. Cooling completely is paramount before frosting.

The Caramelization Process: Temperature Control for True Flavor Depth

For the caramel itself, begin by melting ½ cup of sugar with 2 tablespoons of water over medium heat. Resist the urge to stir until the edges begin to colour. Once a rich amber hue is achieved, immediately remove from the heat and whisk in the ¼ cup of warm heavy cream—be prepared for aggressive bubbling! Once stabilized, whisk in the 2 tablespoons of butter and the flaky sea salt. Allow this to cool completely until it is easily drizzle-able but not stiff.

The Art of Assembly: Frosting Application and Final Presentation

Once the Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Caramel Frosting are entirely cool, apply a generous layer of the cream cheese frosting using an offset spatula or piping bag. Finally, take your cooled caramel and drizzle it artfully across the frosted surface. A final, tiny sprinkle of sea salt on the caramel adds that necessary contrasting salty note, making these Pumpkin Cookies with Caramel Frosting an experience from the first sight to the last crumb.

Elevating Your Final Product: Pro Tips and Troubleshooting

Even expert bakers can face minor hurdles. If your cookie dough seems too sticky after the chilling period, add one extra tablespoon of flour; conversely, if your frosting seems too stiff, add a teaspoon of milk or cream to loosen it gently. The key to truly great flavour enhancement is introducing nuanced spice—a hint of freshly grated nutmeg elevates the entire spice profile beyond pre-ground mediocrity.

Storage Secrets for Maintaining Peak Freshness

These cookies are best enjoyed within the first two days, thanks to the fresh dairy in the frosting. Store them in an airtight container at cool room temperature for up to three days. If you must refrigerate them, allow them to warm up on the counter for about 20 minutes before serving, as cold temperatures dull the flavour and stiffen the cookie crumb.

Flavor Enhancements: Optional Add-ins for Next-Level Spice

For those who enjoy complexity, consider adding ¼ teaspoon of ground cardamom and a tiny pinch of ground cloves to your dry ingredients. This transforms the flavour from standard pumpkin spice to a warmer, more sophisticated profile often found in elevated Pumpkin Dessert Recipes .

Nutritional Snapshot: Estimating Serving Size Details

As a rich dessert featuring butter, cream cheese, and sugar, these cookies offer substantial satisfaction per serving. You can anticipate each cookie, loaded with its frosting and drizzle, to clock in between 350 and 380 calories, offering about 3 grams of protein and a good dose of carbohydrates from the sugars and flour base.

Variations on a Theme: Gluten-Free Swaps for These Pumpkin Cookies with Caramel Frosting

Achieving these without gluten is straightforward. Substitute the standard flour with a high-quality 1-to-1 gluten-free blend that already contains xanthan gum. Because gluten-free flour can sometimes absorb more liquid, keep an eye on the dough consistency and be prepared to add an extra teaspoon of pumpkin purée if the dough seems overly dry before chilling.

Shelf Life Insights: How Long Does This Seasonal Treat Last?

While the cookie base remains tender for nearly a week if stored correctly, the cream cheese frosting dictates the overall freshness window. For optimal taste and texture, consume these Pumpkin Cookies with Caramel Frosting within 72 hours. If you made a large batch, freezing the unfrosted cookies is an excellent option for future enjoyment.