Best Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe Ever
Discover the ultimate Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe, a dreamy blend of soft pumpkin-infused dough and melty chocolate chips that will make your fall baking moments unforgettable. These cookies bring together the warm spices of pumpkin with the sweet richness of chocolate, creating a treat that’s both cozy and indulgent. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just craving a sweet twist, these cookies are the perfect way to celebrate the season.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect texture: Soft, chewy, and slightly cakey cookies that melt in your mouth with every bite.
- Seasonal flavors: Lush pumpkin and cozy spices blend perfectly with sweet chocolate chips for that autumn vibe.
- Simple ingredients: Uses pantry staples and easy-to-find pumpkin puree, making baking hassle-free.
- Versatile: Great for breakfast treats, desserts, or snack time with kids and adults alike.
- Made from scratch: No shortcuts here; every ingredient contributes to flavor and texture.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe calls for simple yet essential ingredients, each carefully chosen to build that perfect balance of moistness, flavor, and sweetness. The pumpkin puree keeps the cookies tender while the chocolate chips add bursts of rich goodness.
- All-purpose flour: The base that provides structure for soft, chewy cookies.
- Pumpkin puree: Adds moisture, natural sweetness, and that unmistakable pumpkin flavor.
- Brown sugar: Enhances moisture and adds a deep caramel note to the cookies.
- Granulated sugar: Balances sweetness and contributes to the cookie’s texture.
- Butter: Softened butter brings richness and helps achieve a tender crumb.
- Egg: Acts as a binder to hold everything together and add structure.
- Baking soda: Leavens the dough so the cookies rise lightly and stay fluffy.
- Cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves: Classic autumn spices that create warmth and depth.
- Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances sweetness beautifully.
- Vanilla extract: Adds complexity and rounds out the flavor profile.
- Chocolate chips: Melt into gooey pockets of sweetness with every bite.
Variations for Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
Feel free to personalize this recipe to suit your tastes or dietary needs. Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies are so easy to tweak without losing their deliciousness, whether you want to boost nutrition, add new textures, or switch things up for allergies.
- Gluten-free option: Swap all-purpose flour for a gluten-free baking blend that measures cup-for-cup.
- Vegan twist: Use coconut oil or vegan butter and flaxseed “eggs” in place of traditional eggs and butter.
- Nutty upgrade: Add chopped walnuts or pecans for an extra crunch and depth of flavor.
- Spice it up: Experiment with extra ginger or allspice to elevate the fall spices.
- White chocolate chips: Substitute some or all chocolate chips with white chocolate for a sweeter, creamier bite.
How to Make Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
Step 1: Prepare the wet ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy using a hand mixer or stand mixer. Then, beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and pumpkin puree until smooth and well combined.
Step 2: Mix the dry ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves to ensure the spices are evenly distributed throughout the cookie dough.
Step 3: Combine wet and dry ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, folding gently with a spatula or mixing on low speed just until a soft dough forms — avoid overmixing to keep cookies tender.
Step 4: Fold in chocolate chips
Gently fold in the chocolate chips, ensuring they are evenly distributed but not crushed, so you get gooey chunks in every bite.
Step 5: Chill the dough
Cover the dough and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes; this step helps the dough firm up, preventing cookies from spreading too much while baking.
Step 6: Bake the cookies
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Scoop dough balls about 1.5 tablespoons each onto the sheet, spacing them adequately. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are set but the centers remain soft.
Step 7: Cool and enjoy
Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely or to enjoy warm, gooey fresh from the oven!
Pro Tips for Making Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Use pure pumpkin puree: Avoid pumpkin pie filling that has added spices or sugar for best control over flavor.
- Don’t overmix: Combine ingredients just enough to integrate to keep cookies tender and moist.
- Chill the dough: Helps control spreading and builds deeper flavors during rest.
- Watch baking time carefully: Slightly underbake for the softest, chewiest texture.
- Use room temperature butter and egg: Helps everything blend smoothly for an even dough.
How to Serve Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
Garnishes
For an extra festive touch, sprinkle the cooled cookies lightly with powdered sugar or drizzle melted white chocolate on top to amp up their visual appeal and taste.
Side Dishes
Pair these cozy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies with a warm cup of chai tea, rich hot chocolate, or a glass of cold milk for a classic comfort combo.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve chilled with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or sandwich frosting between two cookies to make delightful ice cream sandwiches that will wow your friends and family.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store cooled Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days to maintain freshness and softness.
Freezing
You can freeze baked cookies by placing them in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 3 months; thaw at room temperature before serving.
Reheating
Warm frozen or leftover cookies in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or in a low-heat oven to return them to their soft, melty goodness.
FAQs
Can I use canned pumpkin for the Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies?
Yes! Just make sure you use pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling, to keep the flavor balanced and control sweetness and spices.
How do I make these cookies vegan?
Replace the butter with vegan butter or coconut oil, and substitute the egg with a flaxseed egg or mashed banana for a vegan-friendly version.
Can I add nuts to the Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies?
Absolutely! Chopped walnuts, pecans, or even toasted almonds complement the flavors and add a delightful crunch.
How should I store these cookies to keep them moist?
Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature and place a slice of bread inside the container to help maintain moisture.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, you can swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free baking flour blend that measures equally; your cookies will still turn out delicious.
Final Thoughts
These Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies are your new fall baking obsession—full of warm spices, rich chocolate, and that perfect soft texture that feels like a hug in cookie form. They’re easy to whip up, endlessly adaptable, and bound to be a favorite for your friends and family. So go ahead, try this recipe and enjoy a little slice of autumn joy with every bite!
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Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
Discover the ultimate Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe featuring soft, chewy, and slightly cakey cookies infused with rich pumpkin flavor and melty chocolate chips. Perfectly spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, these cookies bring cozy autumn vibes to every bite. Simple to make with pantry staples, they’re a versatile treat ideal for breakfast, snacks, or dessert throughout the fall season.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: About 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free (if using gluten-free flour blend)
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free baking blend, cup-for-cup)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup pumpkin puree (pure pumpkin, not pie filling)
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened (or vegan butter/coconut oil for vegan alternative)
- 1 large egg (or flaxseed egg/mashed banana for vegan alternative)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Sugars
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
Add-ins
- 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips (or white chocolate chips as variation)
Instructions
- Prepare the wet ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy using a hand mixer or stand mixer. Then, beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and pumpkin puree until smooth and well combined.
- Mix the dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves to ensure the spices are evenly distributed throughout the cookie dough.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, folding gently with a spatula or mixing on low speed just until a soft dough forms—avoid overmixing to keep cookies tender.
- Fold in chocolate chips: Gently fold in the chocolate chips, ensuring they are evenly distributed but not crushed, so you get gooey chunks in every bite.
- Chill the dough: Cover the dough and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes; this step helps the dough firm up, preventing cookies from spreading too much while baking.
- Bake the cookies: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Scoop dough balls about 1.5 tablespoons each onto the sheet, spacing them adequately. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are set but the centers remain soft.
- Cool and enjoy: Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely or to enjoy warm, gooey fresh from the oven!
Notes
- Use pure pumpkin puree; avoid pumpkin pie filling that has added spices or sugar.
- Don’t overmix the dough to keep cookies tender and moist.
- Chill the dough to control spreading and enhance flavors.
- Slightly underbake cookies for the softest, chewiest texture.
- Use room temperature butter and egg for smooth blending and even dough.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies, Fall Cookies, Pumpkin Cookies, Soft Cookies, Chewy Cookies, Autumn Treats, Gluten-Free Cookies, Vegan Option