Looking for a cozy Halloween treat? These spiced pumpkin cookies are soft, cakey, and filled with warm autumn spices. They’re simple to make, kid-friendly, and perfect for seasonal baking fun.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love These Spiced Pumpkin Cookies
These spiced pumpkin cookies are a must-bake for fall. They come out light, moist, and full of warm spice in every bite. The texture is soft and cake-like, making them different from classic chewy cookies but just as irresistible. You’ll love how quickly they come together, with only 15 minutes of prep and baking time.
The pumpkin purée keeps them moist, while mixed spice or pumpkin spice gives them that festive seasonal flavor. If you enjoy decorating, the optional spiderweb chocolate design turns them into a spooky Halloween centerpiece. Best of all, they’re freezer-friendly and easy to customize with cinnamon or ginger for a twist. These cookies are family-friendly, and kids will especially love the decorating step. Whether you serve them at a party or keep them for cozy nights in, they’re sure to disappear fast.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses everyday baking staples along with pumpkin purée for a seasonal twist. Keeping the ingredient list simple means you can whip up a batch anytime without stress. Each part of the recipe plays a role in building soft texture and warming flavor.
Dry Ingredients
You’ll need plain flour, baking soda, bicarbonate of soda, and mixed spice. These combine to create the base structure and lift of the cookies. The spices bring that signature pumpkin flavor.
Wet Ingredients
Butter and caster sugar are creamed together for sweetness and richness. A lightly beaten egg adds structure, while vanilla extract enhances flavor. The pumpkin purée makes the cookies moist and soft.
Optional Decorations
White and milk chocolate buttons create fun Halloween spiderweb designs. This step is optional, but it adds charm and makes the cookies party-ready.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preparing the Cookie Dough
Start by preheating your oven to 160°C (fan) and lining baking trays with parchment. In one bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, bicarbonate of soda, and spice. In another bowl, cream butter and sugar until fluffy, then beat in the egg, vanilla, and pumpkin purée. Combine the dry and wet mixtures until smooth and thick.
Baking the Cookies
Using a tablespoon, drop even portions of dough onto the trays, leaving space to spread. Place trays in the oven and bake for 15 minutes. The cookies should look set but soft. Allow them to cool on a wire rack to finish firming up.
Decorating with Spiderwebs and Spiders
If decorating, place sealed chocolate packets in hot water for one minute. Snip a corner of each packet to make a piping bag. Pipe spiderweb shapes across the cookies. Add a chocolate button to the center and draw spider legs with chocolate lines. This step is fun for kids and makes the cookies Halloween-perfect.
Tips for the Best Pumpkin Cookies
Texture and Flavor Notes
These cookies are soft and cake-like rather than chewy. The pumpkin purée adds moisture, so don’t expect crisp edges. Their tender texture makes them perfect for festive snacking.
Spice Substitutions and Variations
Mixed spice or pumpkin spice works well, but you can swap with cinnamon and ginger. For a bolder taste, add a pinch of nutmeg or cloves. If you enjoy frosting, try pumpkin cookies with caramel frosting for fall treats for extra indulgence.
Pumpkin Purée: Store-Bought vs Homemade
You can use canned or homemade purée. Store-bought may be sweeter, so adjust sugar if needed. For homemade, roast or steam pumpkin, then blend until smooth. Leftover pumpkin seeds can be roasted for a snack.
Storage and Freezing Guide
Short-Term Storage
Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. Their soft texture stays best when sealed well.
Freezer-Friendly Instructions
For longer storage, freeze undecorated cookies in a freezer bag for up to three months. Thaw at room temperature before serving, then decorate if desired. This makes holiday prep easier.
Other recipes you may enjoy
- Frosted pumpkin bread with rich cream cheese topping
- Pumpkin cookies with caramel frosting for fall treats
- Gluten-free pumpkin muffins perfect for Halloween
- Cinnamon swirl pumpkin bread for spooky season breakfasts
Conclusion
These spiced pumpkin cookies are the ultimate Halloween bake: soft, spiced, and fun to decorate. With simple ingredients and easy steps, they’re perfect for family baking or festive parties. Serve them warm with a cozy drink, or share with friends for a seasonal treat everyone will love. For more inspiration, check out my recipe collection on Pinterest
Spiced Pumpkin Cookies
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Electric mixer or whisk
- Baking trays
- Parchment paper
- Wire rack
- Scissors for snipping chocolate packets
Ingredients
- 300 g plain flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
- 3 tsp mixed spice (or pumpkin spice)
- 150 g caster sugar
- 125 g butter
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 250 g pumpkin purée
- 60 g white chocolate buttons (optional, for decoration)
- 60 g milk chocolate buttons (optional, for decoration)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 160°C (fan) and line 4 baking trays with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, combine flour, baking soda, bicarbonate of soda, and mixed spice.
- In a separate bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light. Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and pumpkin purée.
- Stir the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until fully combined.
- Drop tablespoon-sized portions of batter onto the trays, leaving space between each.
- Bake for 15 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.
- For decoration, melt chocolate buttons in hot water. Snip packet corners and pipe spiderweb shapes on cooled cookies. Add a button in the center and draw spider legs.
