Oh, hello there! Can you feel it? That little crisp in the air, the cozy sweaters coming out of storage, and that undeniable pull towards all things warm and spiced? That’s the magic of fall, and for me, it always means one thing: it’s time for Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies! Trust me, after 17 years in the kitchen, my philosophy has always been that simple ingredients, like those in this recipe, can bring SO much joy to your table. These cookies are just ridiculously easy, bursting with delicious fall flavor, and frankly, a little bit addictive. They’re exactly what my family loves, and I’m so excited to share them with yours through my simple approach to cooking.
Why You’ll Love These Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
Seriously, these cookies are a flavor explosion waiting to happen! Here’s why you’ll be making these again and again:
- Super Easy to Make: Even if you’re new to baking, you’ll whip these up in no time. They’re truly an easy pumpkin recipe!
- Perfect Fall Flavor: That cozy, warm taste of pumpkin spice and chocolate? It’s pure autumn bliss.
- Versatile Treat: Delicious for a casual afternoon snack or a must-have for your Thanksgiving dessert table.
- Comforting & Homemade: Nothing beats the smell and taste of cookies fresh from your own oven. It just feels like home!
Gather Your Ingredients for Perfect Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
Alright, let’s get our mise en place ready! To make these amazing Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies turn out just right, you’ll want to gather these goodies. Make sure your butter is good and soft – it makes all the difference when creaming. And remember, we need pure pumpkin puree, NOT pumpkin pie filling, okay? Trust me on this one!
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin puree (make sure it’s NOT pumpkin pie filling!)
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice (this is where the magic happens!)
- 1 cup (6 ounces) semi-sweet chocolate chips (or a mix if you’re feeling fancy!)
How to Make Easy Pumpkin Recipe Cookies
Alright, get ready to bake up some magic because making these Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies is a total breeze! Honestly, this is where the fun really begins. We’re going to take those simple ingredients and turn them into little bites of fall heaven. My philosophy is all about making things fuss-free in the kitchen, and this recipe totally fits the bill. So grab your apron, and let’s get these delicious cookies into the oven! You can find more easy recipes like this right here.
Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Station
First things first, let’s get our baking environment ready. Preheat your oven to a nice 350°F (175°C). While that’s warming up, grab your baking sheets and line them with parchment paper. This just makes cleanup a dream and stops any cookies from sticking, which is always a win in my book!
Step 2: Creaming the Wet Ingredients
Now for the part that really builds the cookie’s base. In a big bowl, cream together that softened butter with both the granulated sugar and the light brown sugar. You want to beat it until it’s nice and fluffy – think pale yellow, airy texture. Then, crack in your eggs one at a time, letting each one mix in before adding the next. Finally, stir in that pure vanilla extract and, of course, our star ingredient: the pumpkin puree. Mix until it’s all beautifully combined. This is where that yummy pumpkin flavor starts to really come through.
Step 3: Combining Dry Ingredients
In a separate, medium-sized bowl, let’s whisk together all our dry ingredients. We’re talking the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and those wonderful spices like pumpkin pie spice. Giving them a good whisk together ensures everything is evenly distributed, so you get that perfect spice flavor in every single bite of your cookies.
Step 4: Marrying Wet and Dry Mixtures
Here’s a little trick from my kitchen: gradually add your dry ingredients to that creamy wet mixture. Mix on low speed, or just stir gently, until *just* combined. Seriously, don’t overmix! Overmixing is the enemy of tender cookies. You want a dough that’s coming together, but it’s okay if there are still a few little streaks of flour. That’s perfectly normal and helps keep our Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies nice and tender.
Step 5: Adding the Chocolate Chips
Time for the best part! Gently fold in those semi-sweet chocolate chips. If you’re feeling adventurous, this is also where you could toss in some chopped nuts, like pecans or walnuts, if that sounds good to you. Just stir them in until they’re evenly scattered throughout the dough.
Step 6: Baking Your Pumpkin Spice Recipe Cookies
Okay, these are going to smell amazing! Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto your prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between them so they have room to spread out. Pop them into your preheated oven and bake for about 12 to 15 minutes. You’re looking for the edges to be just lightly golden brown and the centers to look set, not gooey. This recipe usually makes about 3 dozen cookies, which disappear mighty fast, by the way!
Step 7: Cooling for Perfect Texture
Patience, my friends! As soon as they come out of the oven, let the cookies hang out on the baking sheets for a few minutes. This little pause helps them firm up just enough so they don’t fall apart. Then, carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. This is super important for getting that lovely texture – you don’t want them too crunchy, but definitely not doughy in the middle!
Tips for the Best Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
Alright, let’s talk about how to make these Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies absolutely sing! As a chef, mom, and someone who just adores good food, I’ve learned a few tricks over the years that make all the difference. We want these to be your go-to fall treat, and a few little tips can elevate them from great to absolutely unforgettable! They’re seriously a fantastic recipe to have in your arsenal.
Ingredient Specifics for Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
First off, that pumpkin puree. Seriously, grab the plain stuff, NOT the pie filling! The pie filling has sugar and spices already, which will totally throw off the balance of these cookies. You want pure, unadulterated pumpkin goodness for that lovely texture and flavor. And for the butter? Make sure it’s properly softened – not melted, but soft enough that you can easily indent it with your finger. This is key for that light, fluffy texture when creaming!
Achieving the Perfect Cookie Texture
Want chewier cookies? My little secret is to play with the sugar ratios a bit. Using slightly more brown sugar than granulated sugar tends to give you that lovely chewiness because of the extra moisture from the molasses in brown sugar. Also, don’t skip draining the pumpkin puree if it seems really watery. A good pat with a paper towel can prevent your cookies from spreading too much and becoming too cakey. We’re aiming for melt-in-your-mouth deliciousness here!
Serving and Storing Your Thanksgiving Dessert
These Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies are just divine served warm with a big ol’ glass of cold milk, or maybe with a steamy mug of apple cider on a chilly afternoon. They’re perfect for any Thanksgiving dessert spread, or honestly, just whenever that craving hits! If, by some miracle, you have any leftovers (ha!), they store like a dream. Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Want them to stay extra soft? Tuck a small slice of bread in there with them – it works wonders!
You can totally make the dough ahead of time too! Just wrap it up tightly and keep it in the fridge for a couple of days, or even freeze it for up to a month. When you’re ready to bake, let the dough sit out for about 15-20 minutes to soften up a bit before dropping and baking. We’re all about making life easier, right? You can find tons of other dessert recipes here, but these pumpkin ones are just special!
Frequently Asked Questions About Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
Got questions about whipping up these little bites of fall perfection? I’ve got you covered! These are some of the things people ask me most about making this truly easy pumpkin recipe a success. If you have more questions, feel free to reach out!
Can I use pumpkin pie filling instead of puree?
Oh, please don’t! It’s super important to use pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling. The filling has extra sugar and spices already mixed in, which will make your cookies taste weird and change their whole texture. We want the pure pumpkin flavor!
How do I store these cookies to keep them soft?
For the softest cookies, keep them in an airtight container at room temperature. If you want them to stay super soft for longer, just pop a small slice of bread in the container with them. It sounds funny, but the bread keeps the cookies moist!
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can totally make the dough ahead of time. Just wrap it up really well in plastic wrap and pop it in the fridge for up to 2 days, or even freeze it for about a month. When you’re ready to bake, let it sit on the counter for about 15-20 minutes to soften up a bit before scooping and baking. Easy peasy!
Estimated Nutritional Information
Now, let’s talk numbers! While these Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies are totally worth every bite, it’s good to have an idea of what you’re enjoying. Here’s an estimated nutritional breakdown per cookie. Keep in mind these are just guidelines, and your exact counts might vary a little depending on the brands you use and how perfectly you measure everything out. We always share our favorites from our kitchen, so hopefully, these give you a good picture!
Per cookie (approximately):
- Calories: 150
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Protein: 2g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Sugar: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
Share Your Delicious Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies!
Okay, now that you’ve got these amazing Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies cooling on the rack, I’d LOVE to hear all about it! Did you try them? How did they turn out? Let me know in the comments below – your feedback really helps me make sure these recipes are the best they can be. And if you snap some photos, tag me on social media! You can also find our full terms of service here, but mostly, I just want to see your cookie creations!
Print
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Total Time: 30 min
- Yield: 3 dozen cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Enjoy these easy and delicious pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, perfect for fall or any time you crave a sweet treat.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- 1 cup (6 ounces) semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract and pumpkin puree until well combined.
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and pumpkin pie spice.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Stir in the chocolate chips.
- Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers are set.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- For chewier cookies, use more brown sugar than granulated sugar.
- You can add chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts along with the chocolate chips.
- Ensure your pumpkin puree is well-drained to avoid overly moist cookies.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 15 min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 75mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg



