Easy Pumpkin Cake Mix Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting: Your Ultimate Fall Baking Treat
Embrace the cozy spirit of autumn with these incredibly easy pumpkin cake mix cookies! They are wonderfully soft, delightfully chewy, and crowned with a luscious homemade cream cheese frosting, finished with a delicate sprinkle of cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice. As the leaves begin to turn and the air grows crisp, there’s no better way to celebrate the season than with the comforting aroma of pumpkin spice baking filling your home. These cookies are not just a dessert; they’re a taste of fall in every single bite, perfect for sharing with loved ones or enjoying with a warm mug of coffee.
Why These Pumpkin Cake Mix Cookies Are a Must-Make This Fall
If you’re looking for a simple yet show-stopping fall dessert, these pumpkin cake mix cookies are your answer. Requiring only 6 basic ingredients for the cookies themselves, plus a handful of pantry staples for the dreamy homemade cream cheese frosting, this recipe is designed for ease and maximum flavor. They deliver that soft, cakey texture that everyone adores in a cookie, making them truly irresistible. From Halloween parties to Thanksgiving feasts, these cookies are a versatile and beloved staple for all your autumn and holiday baking needs. Their delightful blend of pumpkin and spice, paired with the creamy tang of the frosting, makes them an instant favorite.
Cake mix cookies are renowned for being some of the simplest cookies you can whip up, making them an excellent choice for beginner bakers or anyone short on time but unwilling to compromise on taste. Their inherent softness and cake-like consistency make homemade treats feel effortlessly gourmet. Once you experience the sheer simplicity of this method, you’ll be inspired to explore a world of different flavor combinations! Imagine creating vibrant strawberry cake mix cookies for a summer picnic or funfetti-inspired confetti cake mix cookies for a birthday celebration. The creative possibilities are truly endless, but for fall, nothing quite beats the classic comfort of pumpkin and spice.
Gather Your Ingredients for These Delicious Cookies
All precise measurements, a complete list of ingredients, and detailed step-by-step instructions are conveniently provided in the printable recipe card located at the very end of this post. For now, let’s take a look at the key components that make these pumpkin cookies so special.
Ingredient Insight and Smart Substitution Ideas
Crafting these delectable cookies begins with understanding a few key ingredients and their roles in creating that perfect fall flavor and texture. Here’s a closer look:
CAKE MIX – For the foundation of these wonderfully soft cookies, you will need one box of spice cake mix, combined with pumpkin puree, a touch of oil, a splash of vanilla extract, a hint of pumpkin pie spice, and one egg. The spice cake mix is truly the star here, infusing the cookies with rich, warm autumnal flavors that are simply divine. It acts as a fantastic shortcut, providing a perfectly balanced dry ingredient base that results in a consistently soft and tender cookie every time. It’s crucial to ensure you pick up a can of pure pumpkin puree from the grocery store – and make double sure it’s not pumpkin pie filling. Pumpkin pie filling contains added sugars and spices that will alter the flavor and consistency of your cookies significantly. While spice cake mix is highly recommended for its seasonal flavor, you can certainly experiment with other cake mix varieties. A yellow or white cake mix will also yield delicious results, especially if you add a few extra teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice to replicate that classic fall essence. This little trick ensures you don’t miss out on any of that comforting seasonal taste.
FROSTING – Who can genuinely resist the allure of a smooth, decadent homemade cream cheese frosting? This frosting is essentially a classic buttercream, but with the delightful addition of cream cheese, which imparts a subtle, tangy note that perfectly complements the sweetness of the cookies. This recipe is so good, you’ll want to keep it on hand for countless future baking projects! For the best results, ensure both your cream cheese and butter are softened to room temperature before mixing; this helps achieve that irresistibly smooth, lump-free consistency. Of course, if you’re truly pressed for time or prefer a quicker route, a good quality canned frosting from your local grocery store can serve as a convenient substitute. However, for that ultimate homemade taste and texture, we highly recommend making your own.
Additional Enhancements: Feel free to get creative with your cookie dough! Consider adding a half cup of chocolate chips (white chocolate or cinnamon chips would be particularly good with the pumpkin flavor), chopped pecans, or even some dried cranberries for an extra burst of flavor and texture. These simple additions can transform your cookies into something uniquely yours.
Baking Your Perfect Pumpkin Cake Mix Cookies: A Step-by-Step Guide
These step-by-step photos and detailed instructions are designed to help you visualize each stage of making this delightful recipe. For a concise, printable version of this recipe, complete with precise measurements and instructions, simply Jump to Recipe at the bottom of this post.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the spice cake mix, pumpkin puree, a single egg, the vegetable oil, vanilla extract, and pumpkin pie spice. Mix these ingredients thoroughly until they are well incorporated and form a cohesive dough. Once mixed, cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator to chill for at least 1 hour, or even longer. Chilling the dough is an important step that helps the flavors meld, makes the dough easier to handle, and prevents the cookies from spreading too much during baking, resulting in a perfectly textured cookie.
- After the dough has sufficiently chilled, remove the bowl from the refrigerator. At this point, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup. Using a spoon or a small cookie scoop, drop rounded spoonfuls of the dough onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving adequate space between each cookie for spreading.
EXPERT TIP – The pumpkin cookie dough will naturally be a little sticky due to the pumpkin puree. If you find the dough too sticky to comfortably handle with a spoon or scoop, simply add 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour to the mix and stir until combined. This small addition will make the dough much more manageable without significantly altering the cookie’s texture. Alternatively, you can lightly grease your hands with a bit of oil or cooking spray before rolling the dough into balls for easier handling.
- Bake the cookies in your preheated oven for 12-14 minutes. The exact baking time may vary slightly depending on your oven, so keep an eye on them. The cookies are done when the edges are lightly golden and the centers are just set. Avoid overbaking, as this can lead to dry cookies. Once baked, remove the tray from the oven and allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire cooling rack to cool completely. Cooling on a rack ensures even cooling and prevents the bottoms from becoming soggy.
- While the cookies are cooling, prepare the rich cream cheese frosting. In a medium-sized bowl, combine the confectioners’ sugar (also known as powdered sugar), softened cream cheese, softened butter, vanilla extract, and a tiny pinch of salt. Using a hand mixer (or a stand mixer), beat the ingredients together for several minutes. Continue mixing until the frosting mixture is perfectly smooth, light, and has achieved a creamy consistency that forms soft peaks. Make sure there are no lumps of cream cheese or butter for the best texture.
- Once the cookies have completely cooled, it’s time for the best part – frosting them! Use a butter knife, a small offset spatula, or even the back of a spoon to generously spread the homemade cream cheese frosting onto each cookie. For a final flourish, add a sprinkle of ground cinnamon or a dash of pumpkin pie spice on top, as desired. This not only adds an extra layer of flavor but also enhances their visual appeal, making them even more inviting.
Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips for Perfect Pumpkin Cookies
Absolutely! Adding chocolate chips is a fantastic way to customize these cookies. We highly recommend white chocolate chips or pumpkin spice chocolate chips, as their flavors beautifully complement the pumpkin and spice base. Semi-sweet chocolate chips would also work wonderfully if you prefer a classic pairing. You can also experiment with chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts, or even dried cranberries for a festive touch. Simply mix your chosen additions into the cookie dough batter before you start scooping and baking.
It’s common for this pumpkin cake mix cookie dough to be a little sticky due to the moisture from the pumpkin puree. Don’t worry, this is normal! If you find the dough too difficult to manage when spooning it onto your baking tray, a simple solution is to mix in an additional 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour. This will help firm up the dough without significantly changing the texture of the baked cookies. Another useful tip is to lightly grease your cookie scoop or your hands with a little cooking spray or oil before portioning out the dough.
To maintain their freshness and delicious taste, store your frosted pumpkin cake mix cookies in an airtight container. If kept at room temperature, they will remain fresh and enjoyable for up to one week. However, if your kitchen runs warm, or for extended freshness, storing them in the refrigerator is also an option; just allow them to come to room temperature for the best flavor and texture before serving.
Yes, you can absolutely freeze both the cookie dough and the baked cookies! For freezing the dough, first scoop the dough into individual balls and flash freeze them on a baking sheet for about 20 minutes until they are firm and no longer sticky to the touch. Once chilled, transfer the dough balls to a large freezer-safe Ziploc bag or an airtight container. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to bake, remove them from the freezer and allow them to thaw on the counter for 5-10 minutes before baking as directed. If you want to freeze baked and frosted cookies, it’s best to flash freeze them on a tray until the frosting is firm, then transfer them to an airtight container with parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.
Yes, homemade cream cheese frosting is freezer-friendly and can be prepared ahead of time! Simply place the frosting in an airtight container and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to use it, transfer the container to the refrigerator and allow it to thaw overnight. Before using, let it come to room temperature, then give it a good stir or a quick whip with a hand mixer to restore its smooth, fluffy consistency. This makes holiday baking even easier!
While it’s important to ensure all ingredients are well combined, be careful not to overmix your cookie dough. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, leading to tougher, less tender cookies. Mix just until the ingredients are incorporated, and no dry streaks of cake mix remain.
For the silkiest, smoothest cream cheese frosting, ensure your butter and cream cheese are truly softened to room temperature. This allows them to cream together effortlessly with the confectioners’ sugar, preventing lumps and creating that perfectly airy texture.
Delightful Serving Suggestions
These pumpkin cake mix cookies are more than just a sweet treat; they’re an experience waiting to happen on a chilly fall day. Gather the kids, invite some friends over, or simply treat yourself to a joyful day full of cookie baking! They are absolutely perfect for bringing to a potluck, a school bake sale, or as a charming homemade gift for neighbors and teachers. Pair them with a warm cup of coffee, a pumpkin spice latte, hot apple cider, or a tall glass of milk for the ultimate comforting combination. The sprinkle of cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice on top isn’t just for looks; it adds an extra layer of fragrant warmth that truly completes the pumpkin spice experience. Consider making a double batch for holiday gatherings like Halloween or Thanksgiving – they’re sure to disappear quickly!
Explore More Irresistible Pumpkin Recipes
If you’re as much of a pumpkin enthusiast as we are, you’ll love exploring these other fantastic pumpkin-inspired recipes:
- Pumpkin Roll
- Pumpkin Cake
- Slow Cooker Pumpkin Spice Latte
- Pumpkin Spice Donuts
- Mini Pumpkin Whoopie Pies
- Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate
- Pumpkin Trifle
- Pumpkin Chicken Pot Pie
- Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes
I absolutely adore spending time in the kitchen, experimenting with new recipes, and perfecting old favorites to share my culinary experiences with all of you! Remembering to come back and check for new recipes each day can sometimes be a challenge, which is why I offer a convenient newsletter delivered right to your inbox every time a new recipe is posted. Simply subscribe today and start receiving your free daily recipes, so you never miss out on delicious inspiration!
Pumpkin Cake Mix Cookies
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
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Ingredients
- 15.25 oz spice cake mix 1 box
- ½ cup pumpkin puree NOT pumpkin pie filling
- 1 egg
- 2 Tbsp vegetable oil or canola oil
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp pumpkin pie spice
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 4 cups confectioners sugar aka powdered sugar
- 8 oz cream cheese softened at room temperature
- ½ cup butter softened at room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ⅛ tsp salt
- cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice for garnish
Things You’ll Need
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Mixing bowls
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Insulated baking sheets
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Wire cooling racks
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Hand mixer
Before You Begin
- *The dough will be a little sticky when spooning it onto the baking tray. If the dough is too sticky to handle, add 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour to the mix. *
Instructions
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In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, pumpkin puree, egg, oil, vanilla extract, and pumpkin pie spice. Mix until well incorporated. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour or longer.
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Remove the bowl from the refrigerator after the dough has chilled and preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Drop the dough by the spoonful onto the sheet.
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Bake the cookies for 12-14 minutes. Remove the tray from the oven and let the cookies cool on a cooling rack.
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To make the frosting, add the confectioners sugar, cream cheese, butter, vanilla extract, and salt to a medium sized bowl. Beat with a hand mixer for several minutes until the mixture is well incorporated and is a smooth consistency but forms soft peaks.
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Once the cookies have cooled, use a butter knife to spread the frosting on the cookies. Add sprinkled cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice on top as desired.
Nutrition
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.