Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies are a soft, moist, and flavorful treat that combines the natural sweetness and moisture of pumpkin puree with the rich taste of semi-sweet chocolate chips and warm autumn spices. These cookies are perfect for cozy gatherings, seasonal festivities, or any time you crave a comforting, cakey cookie with a nostalgic fall twist.
- Author: Ella
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert, Baking, Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Add-ins
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper to ensure easy cookie removal and even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the softened unsalted butter and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which usually takes about 2-3 minutes.
- Add Pumpkin, Egg, and Vanilla: Beat in the canned pumpkin puree, followed by the large egg and vanilla extract, mixing until fully combined and smooth.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg to evenly distribute the leavening agents and spices.
- Mix Dry into Wet: Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet pumpkin mixture until just combined to avoid overmixing, which can toughen the cookies.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips: Add the semi-sweet chocolate chips and fold them into the dough evenly for pockets of melted chocolate in each cookie.
- Portion Dough: Using a cookie scoop or a tablespoon, drop rounded portions of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow room for expansion.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges are set but the centers remain slightly soft, ensuring they stay moist and cakey.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, allowing them to firm up without drying out.
Notes
- Chilling the dough before baking helps prevent spreading and results in thicker, softer cookies.
- Do not overmix the dough once the dry ingredients are added to avoid tough cookies.
- Use parchment paper or silicone baking mats for even browning and easy cleanup.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute butter with coconut oil or vegan margarine, and use flax eggs instead of chicken eggs.
- Gluten-free flour blends can be used to accommodate gluten intolerance without sacrificing texture.
- Optional add-ins include chopped walnuts, pecans, or a sprinkle of sea salt on top before baking for enhanced flavor.
- Do not overbake; cookies should be removed when centers are still soft as they firm up during cooling.
- Cookies freeze well; store in an airtight container and reheat gently to refresh softness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 115 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
Keywords: Pumpkin cookies, Chocolate chip cookies, Autumn desserts, Fall treats, Soft cookies, Spiced cookies, Holiday baking