Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These Pumpkin Coffee Cake Cookies offer the perfect balance of soft pumpkin flavor, warm spices, and a crunchy streusel topping. The cookie itself is moist and tender, the crumble adds buttery texture, and the glaze provides sweetness without overwhelming the spices. They bake quickly and require no chilling, making them excellent for last-minute baking sessions. The flavors also deepen over time, so they taste even better the next day. Whether you serve them at a fall brunch, bake sale, or simply enjoy them at home, these cookies deliver crowd-pleasing comfort with minimal effort.
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Pumpkin Coffee Cake Cookies – Soft, Spiced Cookies with a Cinnamon Crumble Top
- Total Time: 35 mins
- Yield: 18–20 cookies
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Soft pumpkin cookies topped with a buttery cinnamon streusel and sweet glaze, combining the flavors of pumpkin coffee cake in a handheld treat.
Ingredients
-
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup pumpkin purée
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp ginger
- 1/4 tsp salt
Streusel Topping:
-
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter, cold and cubed
Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tbsp milk or cream
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Prepare the streusel by mixing brown sugar, granulated sugar, flour, and cinnamon. Cut in the cold butter until crumbly; refrigerate.
- In a bowl, beat butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until creamy.
- Mix in pumpkin purée, egg, and vanilla.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt.
- Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix until combined.
- Scoop cookie dough onto baking sheets, flatten slightly, and create a shallow indent in the center.
- Spoon streusel topping generously over each cookie.
- Bake for 12–15 minutes or until edges are set and streusel is lightly golden.
- Cool completely.
- Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla to make the glaze, then drizzle over cooled cookies.
Notes
- Chill dough for 20 minutes if it feels too soft.
- Use canned pumpkin purée, not pumpkin pie filling.
- Store cookies in an airtight container for 3–4 days.
- Add a pinch of cloves for extra spice depth.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
Pumpkin purée
Adds moisture and a rich pumpkin flavor, creating the perfect soft cookie base.
Brown sugar
Enhances warmth and depth while helping keep the cookies soft and chewy.
Granulated sugar
Balances sweetness and contributes to lightness in texture.
Butter
Provides richness in both the cookie dough and the streusel topping.
Egg
Helps bind the cookie dough and contributes to softness.
Vanilla extract
Adds gentle aromatic sweetness to complement the pumpkin and spices.
All-purpose flour
Forms the structure of the cookies and helps create a tender crumb.
Baking powder and baking soda
Ensure the cookies rise properly and remain soft.
Pumpkin pie spice
A blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves that delivers signature fall flavor.
Salt
Balances sweetness and sharpens the spices.
Streusel topping ingredients (butter, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon)
The crumble topping recreates classic coffee cake flavor and texture.
Powdered sugar
Used to create a simple glaze for finishing the cookies.
Milk or cream
Thins the glaze to the perfect drizzling consistency.
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a mixing bowl, cream together softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add pumpkin purée, egg, and vanilla, mixing until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring just until combined.
- Prepare the streusel by mixing flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter until crumbly.
- Scoop the cookie dough onto the baking sheets, leaving space between each cookie. Flatten each slightly and top generously with streusel.
- Bake for 12–15 minutes or until the edges are set and the centers are soft but not wet.
- Allow the cookies to cool before drizzling with a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and milk.
Essential Equipment
Must-Have Tools to Get Rolling
Here’s what you’ll want to have on hand:
Silicone Spatula – Durable, heat-resistant silicone spatula perfect for mixing, scraping, and spreading. Gentle on non-stick cookware and easy to clean.
Large pot – You’ll need this to boil the whole cabbage head and soften the leaves.
large bowl –Spacious, durable large bowl ideal for mixing, serving, or food preparation. Made from sturdy material and easy to clean.
Sharp knife – For coring the cabbage and slicing out the thick stem in each leaf. A paring knife works best.
Mixing bowl – A big bowl makes it easier to combine your meat and rice filling evenly.
Cutting board – For prepping cabbage leaves and rolling them like a pro.
9×13-inch baking dish – Ideal size to fit your rolled cabbage leaves snugly and prevent them from unraveling.
knife – A sharp, durable kitchen knife perfect for slicing, chopping, and dicing with ease.
Servings and timing
This recipe yields about 18–22 cookies, depending on size. Preparation takes approximately 15 minutes, and baking requires 12–15 minutes per batch.
Storage/reheating
Store cookies in an airtight container for up to four days. They stay soft thanks to the pumpkin. For longer storage, freeze them (without glaze) and drizzle once thawed. Warm briefly in the microwave for a fresh-baked feel if desired.
Variations and Customizations
Maple Glaze Version
Replace the milk in the glaze with maple syrup for deeper autumn flavor.
Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Coffee Cake Cookies
Fold mini chocolate chips into the dough before baking.
Nutty Streusel
Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the crumble for extra crunch.
Spiced Glaze
Whisk cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice into the glaze for added warmth.
Whole Wheat Version
Substitute part of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a heartier texture.
Brown Butter Cookie Base
Use browned butter for richer, nutty undertones.
Cream Cheese Drizzle
Make a tangy cream cheese icing instead of a simple glaze.
Extra Crumble Topping
Double the streusel and pile it high for even more coffee cake character.
Ginger-Pumpkin Variation
Add ground ginger or diced crystallized ginger for a spicier cookie.
Stuffed Cookies
Fill each cookie with a small dollop of cream cheese filling for an indulgent twist.
FAQs
1. Can I use fresh pumpkin instead of canned?
Yes, just ensure it is well-pureed and not watery.
2. Do these cookies need to chill before baking?
No, the dough can be baked immediately.
3. Can I make the streusel in advance?
Yes, it can be prepared ahead and refrigerated until needed.
4. Can I freeze the baked cookies?
Absolutely; freeze unglazed for best results.
5. Why are my cookies too cakey?
Pumpkin naturally adds moisture — avoid overmixing and measure flour accurately.
6. Can I use gluten-free flour?
A 1:1 gluten-free blend works well.
7. How do I keep the streusel from falling off?
Press it gently onto the dough before baking.
8. Can I skip the glaze?
Yes, but it enhances sweetness and completes the coffee-cake vibe.
9. Can these be made dairy-free?
Use dairy-free butter and milk alternatives.
10. Why did my cookies spread too much?
Ensure your butter isn’t overly soft and refrigerate the dough briefly if needed.
Conclusion
Pumpkin Coffee Cake Cookies capture the heart of autumn baking in a soft, spiced, and beautifully textured treat. With their tender pumpkin base, buttery streusel topping, and sweet glaze finish, they offer a comforting and memorable twist on a classic coffee-cake flavor profile. These cookies are easy to prepare, perfect for sharing, and delightful alongside a warm drink. Whether you bake them for a holiday gathering or simply to celebrate pumpkin season, they’re sure to become a cozy favorite in your recipe collection.
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