Perfectly Pumpkin Cookies

One of my favorite things to do in the kitchen is making cookies with my son. There is something so lovely about a warm kitchen, yummy cooking smells and my boy that just makes my day.

For us, the holidays abound with opportunities to get in the kitchen and make some tasty treats. We like to make cut out sugar cookies with holiday themed cookies cutters, pumpkin bread (try my tasty Pumpkin Bread with Sweet Cheese Frosting) and pumpkin pies (I’ve got a great one HERE) but when we want a simple cookie that gives us that the pumpkin flavor, we make these easy and yummy cookies.

These are great for little helpers because it is simply mix, drop and bake with no shapes or fussing involved. So grab some of your favorite little ones and whip up a batch or two of these today!

Perfectly Pumpkin Cookies

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 35 minutes | Makes: 12-15 cookies

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut up and softened
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup pureed pumpkin (canned pumpkin or fresh)*
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Generously grease cookie sheets or lay down parchment paper
3. In a medium sized bowl or mixer, beat the butter and sugar together until well combined and a little fluffy
4. Add pumpkin, egg and vanilla and mix until well combined
5. Add 1/2 cup flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg and mix until well combined
6. Add remaining flour and mix until well combined
7. Using a spoon or your hands, drop about 1 tablespoon of the dough onto prepared cookie sheet
8. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until cookies are golden and just starting to brown on the edges, rotating the cookie sheet 180 degrees about halfway through
9. Allow to cool on the sheet for 1-3 minutes, then remove cookies to a wire cooling rack and once cool, enjoy!

Tips

• Very important! Make sure if you purchase the pumpkin canned you purchase pumpkin puree and NOT pumpkin pie mix! The mix has a number of spices added made specifically for pumpkin pie. While this is not the end of the world for this recipe, it does limit what you can do with the rest (I do not recommend giving dogs pumpkin pie mix-too much sugar and spices!)
• Fall is all about the pumpkin so don't worry about the leftover pumpkin as it can be stored in the refrigerator for future use for about a week. For long term storage, you can place the pumpkin in a freezer bag and freeze for up to 6 months.
• Dogs love pumpkin so maybe put those leftover bits to good use and make your favorite pooch some yummy pumpkin treats. Or if you are pressed for time, just mix in a bit of pumpkin with their regular meal. Make sure to give your dog a tiny taste first to ensure he/she likes it (though I have yet to meet a dog who doesn't like pumpkin!)
• This is a perfect recipe to double or triple so you can give out homemade treats to friends and family.