Imagine biting into a soft, pillowy cookie, crackled with a sweet powdered sugar coating. These Pumpkin Crinkle Cookies are the epitome of comfort and delight. They radiate the warm, inviting flavors of fall, making them a must-try not just during pumpkin season but all year round!

Every bite offers a perfect medley of sweetness and aromatic spices. Their cake-like texture is just irresistible, creating an experience that transforms ordinary moments into something extraordinary.

Why You’ll Love These Pumpkin Crinkle Cookies

• Visual Appeal: The contrast of dark, rich pumpkin dough with a snowy white coating makes these cookies a treat for the eyes, perfect for gifting or festive occasions.
• Taste Sensation: With layers of cozy fall flavors, these cookies burst with the essence of pumpkin and warm spices, making each bite memorable.
• Soft & Perfectly Spiced: The tender, chewy texture combined with just the right dose of pumpkin pie spice ensures a comforting indulgence.
• Drink Pairing Pro: These cookies are ideal companions for warm beverages like coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. Elevate your snack time by pairing them with your favorite drink!

Ingredients

• Pumpkin Puree: This is the star of the show! It lends a moist, tender texture and rich flavor. Make sure to grab pure pumpkin puree, not pie filling.
• Sugars: Granulated sugar adds sweetness and crispness, while light brown sugar brings chewiness and depth.
• Unsalted Butter: Melting the butter keeps the cookies soft and brings a delectable buttery flavor.
• Egg: Provides moisture and binds the dough together for a perfect texture.
• Vanilla Extract: This sweet, aromatic addition enhances the overall flavor profile of the cookies.
• All-Purpose Flour: The backbone of our cookie structure.
• Baking Powder & Baking Soda: These leavening agents create the characteristic rise and crinkled look.
• Salt: A pinch brings out all the flavors, enhancing that pumpkin goodness.
• Pumpkin Pie Spice: A wonderful blend of spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, ready to jazz up your cookies. Store-bought or homemade, your choice!
• Powdered Sugar: This one is separate because it tops the cookies, giving them their delightful, snowy finish.

How to Make Pumpkin Crinkle Cookies

Getting these cookies together is a breeze! Just follow these steps:

1. Make the Dough

In a mixing bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, granulated sugar, brown sugar, melted butter, egg, and vanilla until you have a smooth mixture. In another bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and pumpkin pie spice. Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, taking care not to overmix.

2. Chill

Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough for at least 2 hours. Chilling is key to achieving the right texture!

3. Prepare to Bake

When you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with silicone mats or parchment paper.

4. Roll and Coat

Scoop out about 1 1/2 tablespoons of dough and roll them into balls. First, toss each ball in granulated sugar, then coat thoroughly in powdered sugar.

5. Bake

Place the dough balls 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, till the edges are set but the centers still seem a tad underbaked.

6. Cool and Serve

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy these delightful treats!

Tips for the Best Pumpkin Crinkle Cookies

After baking many batches of crinkle cookies over the years, I have gathered some invaluable tips to ensure your cookies turn out perfectly.

• Choose Pure Pumpkin: Always use pure pumpkin puree. Pumpkin pie filling has added sugars and spices that will change the flavor profile.
• Use Fresh Spices: Ensure your pumpkin pie spice is fresh for robust flavor. You can also make a mix at home with cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves.
• Room Temperature Egg: Bringing the egg to room temperature helps it blend smoothly into the batter.
• Measure Flour Accurately: Use the spoon-and-level method to avoid packing your flour. Too much flour can lead to dry cookies.
• Don’t Skip the Chill: Chilling the dough for at least 2 hours makes it easier to handle and helps prevent spreading during baking. You can chill the dough for up to 3 days if you need to prepare ahead of time.
• Experiment with Variations: Feel free to add mini chocolate chips or nuts, or try a cinnamon-sugar coating. Substitute with gluten-free flour if necessary.

How to Store

If you find yourself with extra cookies (which can be hard to believe), here’s how to keep them fresh:

To Store

Keep your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 to 4 days. For longer freshness, store them in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

To Freeze

Cool your cookies completely, then layer them in a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between layers. They can be stored for up to 3 months. Let them thaw at room temperature or gently reheat in a 325°F (160°C) oven for 2-3 minutes to enjoy that fresh-baked taste.