Get ready to experience the ultimate fall treat with these soft pumpkin cookies topped with creamy cinnamon frosting! Whether you’re looking to enjoy a cozy snack with your favorite hot beverage or share them with friends, these pumpkin cookies with cinnamon frosting bring the perfect blend of seasonal flavors and sweetness. Simple, comforting, and bursting with autumn aromas, this recipe is bound to become a go-to favorite.

Table of Contents
Why These Pumpkin Cookies Are a Fall Favorite
These pumpkin cookies with cinnamon frosting are the ideal treat for autumn. Soft, tender, and perfectly spiced, the cookies are enhanced by the richness of the cinnamon frosting. They’re quick to prepare, making them a great choice for a last-minute dessert or an afternoon snack. Plus, they’re family-friendly, so everyone can enjoy the comforting flavors of pumpkin and cinnamon together.
Ingredients for Pumpkin Cookies and Cinnamon Frosting
For the cookies:
- Vegan Butter: Adds richness and moisture to the dough.
- Pumpkin Puree: The star ingredient that provides flavor and a soft texture.
- Brown Sugar: Deepens the sweetness with its molasses undertones.
- Granulated Sugar: Balances the flavor with a clean, sweet taste.
- Vanilla Extract: Brings a warm, aromatic flavor to the cookies.
- All-Purpose Flour: Forms the base of the dough and helps structure the cookies.
- Baking Powder: Leavens the dough for a soft, fluffy texture.
- Pumpkin Pie Spice: A blend of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves that infuses the cookies with classic autumn flavors.
- Cornstarch: Ensures a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture by preventing gluten overdevelopment.
- Salt: Enhances the overall sweetness and balances the flavors.
For the cinnamon frosting:
- Vegan Butter: Helps create a creamy, smooth frosting.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds an extra layer of warmth to the frosting.
- Cinnamon: Brings a spicy, comforting flavor to the frosting.
- Pumpkin Pie Spice: Complements the cinnamon with its fragrant, warm spices.
- Brown Sugar: Provides depth and a touch of caramel sweetness.
- Powdered Sugar: Sweetens the frosting and gives it the perfect creamy consistency.
Alternative Ingredient Suggestions
- Pumpkin Puree Substitute: If you can’t find canned pumpkin, try using mashed sweet potato for a slightly different flavor, but still a wonderful fall-inspired cookie.
- Vegan Butter Alternative: If you don’t have vegan butter, you can substitute it with coconut oil or any other plant-based fat that you prefer.
- Pumpkin Pie Spice Swap: If pumpkin pie spice isn’t available, you can make your own blend by combining cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the dough: In a large bowl, beat together softened vegan butter, pumpkin puree, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and fluffy.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, cornstarch, and salt.
- Combine the wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. Avoid over-mixing to keep the cookies soft.
- Chill the dough: Cover the dough and refrigerate for 30 minutes or up to overnight. Chilling helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
- Preheat the oven: Set the oven to 350°F (177°C).
- Shape the cookies: Use a cookie scoop or spoon to form 2-inch balls of dough. Flatten each ball into a disk shape, as the cookies won’t spread much during baking.
- Bake: Arrange the cookie disks on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spaced a few inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool completely on the baking sheet before frosting.

How to Make Cinnamon Frosting
- Whip the frosting: In a medium bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to beat together the softened vegan butter, vanilla extract, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, brown sugar, and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy.
- Pipe the frosting: Spoon the frosting into a piping bag fitted with a Wilton Piping Tip #2A. Pipe the frosting onto the cooled cookies, creating a beautiful swirl pattern.
- Dust with pumpkin pie spice: Finish with a light dusting of pumpkin pie spice to enhance the flavors and give the cookies a lovely autumn touch.
Tips & Tricks for Perfect Pumpkin Cookies
- Don’t skip chilling the dough: Chilling is essential to achieving soft, puffy cookies that won’t spread too much during baking.
- Use the right baking temperature: Be sure to preheat the oven and bake at 350°F (177°C) to ensure even cooking.
- Adjust frosting consistency: If the frosting is too thick, add a teaspoon of plant-based milk to thin it out. If it’s too thin, add more powdered sugar to reach the desired consistency.
Pairing Ideas and Variations
- Serve with a hot drink: These pumpkin cookies with cinnamon frosting pair wonderfully with a hot cup of cider, coffee, or a pumpkin spice latte.
- Vegan variations: This recipe is already vegan, but you can make it gluten-free by using a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend.
- Make-ahead storage: You can store the cookies in an airtight container for 3-4 days at room temperature or up to 7 days in the fridge. They can also be frozen (unfrosted) for up to two months.
Why These Pumpkin Cookies Are Perfect for Fall
Pumpkin cookies with cinnamon frosting capture the essence of fall in every bite. The soft, spiced cookies, topped with creamy cinnamon frosting, make the perfect treat for family gatherings, Halloween parties, or just a cozy afternoon. These cookies are easy to make and deliver all the comforting flavors you crave when the weather starts to cool. Whether you’re baking them for yourself or sharing with loved ones, they are sure to bring warmth and joy to any occasion.
Conclusion
In conclusion, these Pumpkin Cookies with Cinnamon Frosting are a must-try fall treat. Whether you’re preparing them for a festive gathering or enjoying them by yourself, these cookies bring the perfect balance of spice and sweetness. The soft, pillowy texture of the pumpkin cookies combined with the rich, creamy cinnamon frosting makes for a delicious, comforting snack. They are easy to make, versatile, and are guaranteed to fill your kitchen with a heavenly aroma. Don’t forget to share them with friends and family—fall is the perfect time to spread warmth and cheer, and these cookies do just that!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use fresh pumpkin instead of canned pumpkin puree?
Yes, you can use fresh pumpkin in place of canned pumpkin puree. Simply peel, chop, and bake the pumpkin until soft, then mash it before using. This provides a more natural, fresh flavor but will still work well in this recipe.
2. Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Absolutely! To make gluten-free Pumpkin Cookies with Cinnamon Frosting, simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Be sure to check that all other ingredients (like baking powder and sugar) are also gluten-free to maintain the integrity of the recipe.
3. How long do these cookies last?
These cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days. If you want them to last longer, you can store them in the fridge for up to 7 days or freeze the un-frosted cookies for up to 2 months.
More Relevant Recipes
- Peach Crumble Bars – Delicious Dessert: These peach crumble bars are a sweet and tangy treat perfect for fall, just like pumpkin cookies with cinnamon frosting. The soft, fruity filling combined with the crunchy crumble topping offers a delightful contrast of textures.
- Cinnamon Roll Pancakes – Delicious Breakfast: A comforting breakfast choice with a hint of cinnamon, similar to the cinnamon frosting on pumpkin cookies. These fluffy pancakes are drizzled with a sweet cinnamon glaze, making them the perfect autumn breakfast or brunch option.
- Lemon Blueberry Bread – Refreshing Summer Treat: Although more citrusy than pumpkin, this lemon blueberry bread shares the light and moist texture of pumpkin cookies. The sweet and tart flavors complement each other well, making it another wonderful baked good for sharing with friends and family.
Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cinnamon Frosting
- Total Time: 40-45 minutes
- Yield: 12–15 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
These soft pumpkin cookies with cinnamon frosting are the ultimate fall treat. With a fluffy, spiced pumpkin cookie base topped with creamy cinnamon frosting, they offer the perfect balance of flavors for a cozy autumn snack. They’re easy to make and perfect for family gatherings or just a comforting treat to enjoy by yourself.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup softened vegan butter
- 1/4 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (organic if vegan)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 2 tsp cornstarch
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup softened vegan butter (for frosting)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (for frosting)
- 1 tsp cinnamon (for frosting)
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice (or more cinnamon for frosting)
- 1/4 cup brown sugar (for frosting)
- 2 cups powdered sugar (for frosting)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, cream together softened vegan butter, pumpkin puree, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract until light and fluffy.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, cornstarch, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix on low speed until combined. Don’t over-mix.
- Cover the dough and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes (or overnight).
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C).
- Scoop out dough with a medium cookie scooper, flatten into discs, and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let them cool completely on the baking sheet.
- For the frosting: whip together softened vegan butter, vanilla extract, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, brown sugar, and powdered sugar in a medium bowl until smooth.
- Pipe the cinnamon frosting onto the cooled cookies and dust with pumpkin pie spice.
Notes
- Make sure to chill the dough for at least 30 minutes to prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
- If you don’t have pumpkin pie spice, you can make your own by combining cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves.
- The cookies can be stored at room temperature for 3-4 days, or up to 7 days in the fridge.
- If you prefer a thicker frosting, you can add more powdered sugar to achieve the desired consistency.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 40mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 29g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
