The holidays are a time for family, friends, and food. One of the best ways to celebrate is with delicious treats. If you love pumpkin, you will adore these Thanksgiving Pumpkin Pie Cookies. They are a fantastic twist on the classic pumpkin pie. These cookies capture all the flavors of pumpkin pie but come in a fun, bite-sized form. They are soft, buttery, and filled with pumpkin goodness. Whether you’re making them for a holiday party or just to enjoy at home, they are sure to be a hit.
Baking these cookies is a fun and rewarding experience. The scent of pumpkin and spices fills your kitchen, making it feel cozy and festive. Plus, when you share these cookies with friends and family, you will get plenty of smiles in return. Let’s dive into why this recipe is so special and how you can easily make these lovely cookies.
Why Make This Recipe
Making Thanksgiving Pumpkin Pie Cookies is a wonderful way to celebrate the fall season. The combination of ingredients, like pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice, brings the warmth and comfort of traditional pumpkin pie into cookie form. Here are a few reasons why this recipe is a great choice:
Festive Flavor: The mixture of pumpkin and spices gives these cookies a rich, warm flavor. They remind people of the holiday season, making them perfect for Thanksgiving gatherings.
Simple Ingredients: You probably have most of the ingredients in your kitchen already. This means you can whip them up anytime you want a sweet treat without a special trip to the store.
Unique Treat: Everyone loves cookies, but adding pumpkin gives a fresh twist. These cookies stand out and impress your guests who might be tired of the same old desserts.
Kid-Friendly: Baking can be a fun activity for families. Kids can help mix and place dollops of pumpkin in the cookies, allowing for quality time in the kitchen.
Versatile: You can easily customize these cookies. Whether you want to add nuts, chocolate chips, or even make them into sandwich cookies, the options are endless.
Making these cookies is not only about enjoying a tasty treat; it’s also about creating memories and bringing joy to your holiday celebrations.
How to Make Thanksgiving Pumpkin Pie Cookies
Now that we’ve covered why this recipe is so special, let’s look at how you can make these delicious cookies at home. The process is straightforward and enjoyable. Grab your ingredients, and let’s get started!
Ingredients
To make Thanksgiving Pumpkin Pie Cookies, you will need:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1 egg yolk
These ingredients come together to create a flavorful and soft cookie that is perfect for any holiday gathering.
Directions
Preheat the oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). A hot oven ensures that your cookies bake evenly and become perfectly golden.
Cream the butter and sugars: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, powdered sugar, and granulated sugar. Mix them until the mixture is smooth and creamy. This step is important as it helps create a soft texture for your cookies.
Add egg yolk and vanilla: Next, add the egg yolk and vanilla extract to the butter mixture. Mix well until everything is combined nicely.
Prepare dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and pumpkin pie spice. Mixing these dry ingredients separately helps ensure that all the spices are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Combine wet and dry mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Stir until everything is just combined. Be careful not to overwork the dough, as this can make the cookies tough.
Shape the cookies: Roll small amounts of dough into balls. Then, flatten them slightly to form cookie shells. Place these cookie shells on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Add pumpkin filling: Take a small spoonful of pumpkin puree and place it in the center of each cookie shell. This adds a delightful burst of pumpkin flavor right in the middle of your cookies.
Bake the cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes. Keep an eye on them, and take them out when the edges are lightly golden.
Cool the cookies: Allow the cookies to cool on a wire rack before serving. This helps the flavors settle and makes the cookies easier to handle.
These simple steps will guide you to make soft and flavorful Thanksgiving Pumpkin Pie Cookies that everyone will love!
How to Serve Thanksgiving Pumpkin Pie Cookies
Serving these cookies is just as fun as making them. Here are some ideas on how to serve Thanksgiving Pumpkin Pie Cookies:
On a Dessert Platter: Arrange the cookies on a beautiful dessert platter. You can even garnish with some cinnamon sticks or fall leaves for a festive touch.
With Coffee or Tea: These cookies pair wonderfully with coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. Serve them with warm drinks for a cozy afternoon treat.
As Party Favors: Wrap individual cookies in clear plastic bags tied with a ribbon. This makes for a cute party favor that your guests can take home.
With Ice Cream: If you want to wow your guests, serve the cookies with a scoop of vanilla or pumpkin ice cream for a delightful dessert sundae.
No matter how you choose to serve them, these cookies are sure to bring a smile to everyone’s face.
How to Store Thanksgiving Pumpkin Pie Cookies
Proper storage of your Thanksgiving Pumpkin Pie Cookies will help keep them fresh and delicious. Here’s how to store them:
Room Temperature: If you eat them within a few days, store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. This keeps them soft and fresh.
Refrigerator: For longer storage, you can place the cookies in the refrigerator. Make sure they are in an airtight container, and they will stay fresh for up to a week.
Freezing: If you want to save cookies for later, freezing is a great option. Place the cookies in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be frozen for up to three months. When you’re ready to eat them, thaw them at room temperature for a few hours.
By following these storage tips, you can enjoy your cookies longer and share them with others when the time is right!
Tips to Make Thanksgiving Pumpkin Pie Cookies
Here are some helpful tips to ensure your Thanksgiving Pumpkin Pie Cookies turn out perfectly:
Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your butter is softened to room temperature. This helps create a creamier mixture, leading to softer cookies.
Don’t Overmix: When combining the dough, mix until just combined. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies, which we want to avoid.
Chill the Dough: If your dough feels too soft, chill it in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before shaping. This helps the cookies hold their shape while baking.
Check for Doneness: Every oven is different, so check your cookies a few minutes before the suggested baking time. Remove them from the oven when the edges are just lightly golden.
Experiment with Flavor: Feel free to add chocolate chips or chopped nuts to your cookie dough if you’re feeling creative. This can add a fun twist and new flavors to your cookies.
By following these tips, you will create fantastic cookies every time!
Variation
While this recipe is delightful as it is, you can easily change it up to suit your tastes. Here are a few variations to consider:
Nutty Addition: Incorporate chopped pecans or walnuts into the dough for a crunchy texture. Just be sure to adjust the amounts to your liking.
Chocolate Pumpkin Cookies: Add a cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips to the dough instead of the pumpkin puree for a rich chocolate flavor with a hint of pumpkin spice.
Frosted Cookies: After cooling, frost the cookies with a simple icing made from powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. This adds a sweet layer and an extra touch of decoration.
These variations allow you to customize your cookies to your liking while keeping the basic flavors intact.
FAQs
1. Can I use canned pumpkin puree instead of fresh pumpkin?
Yes, canned pumpkin puree works perfectly in this recipe. It’s convenient and saves time.
2. Can I make these cookies ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can bake them a few days in advance and store them in an airtight container.
3. What can I serve with these cookies?
These cookies pair well with coffee, tea, or even a scoop of ice cream for a decadent dessert.
By making Thanksgiving Pumpkin Pie Cookies, you bring delightful flavors into your home while creating special memories. Enjoy baking and sharing these yummy treats with your loved ones this season!
Thanksgiving Pumpkin Pie Cookies
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, powdered sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth and creamy.
- Add the egg yolk and vanilla extract to the butter mixture and mix until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and pumpkin pie spice.
- Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined.
- Roll small amounts of dough into balls, then flatten them slightly to form cookie shells.
- Place the cookie shells on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Add a small spoonful of pumpkin puree to the center of each cookie shell.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Allow the cookies to cool on a wire rack before serving.