If you’re on the hunt for a seasonal treat that’s cozy, fun, and fills your kitchen with irresistible aromas, look no further than these Pumpkin Spice Cutouts. These cookies bake up perfectly soft and thick, with warm notes of cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice in every bite. The dough rolls out beautifully for all your favorite festive shapes, and decorating them (with or without icing) is a pure joy. Whether you’re planning a fall baking day, a Halloween party, or just want a sweet reason to put the kettle on, Pumpkin Spice Cutouts are a recipe you’ll want to make again and again.

Pumpkin Spice Cutouts Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

This ingredient list is a celebration of autumnal flavors, with every component playing a crucial role. You’ll find the usual cookie suspects alongside a few fall-inspired touches that transform these into the ultimate treat. Here’s what you’ll need—and how each one works its magic:

Unsalted butter, softened: Gives your cookies that rich, melt-in-your-mouth texture and buttery flavor. Be sure it’s room temperature for easy mixing.
Granulated sugar: Brings classic sweetness and helps the cookies hold their shape while baking.
Canned pumpkin puree: Not only adds authentic pumpkin flavor, but also keeps the cookies extra moist and tender.
Brown sugar (light or dark): Infuses warm, caramel-like notes and extra moisture for a truly soft bite.
Large egg: Just one for binding everything together and giving the dough structure.
Vanilla extract: Rounds out all the spice flavors and enhances every other ingredient.
All-purpose flour: Provides the sturdy base for shaping and cutting out your cookies.
Baking powder: Helps the cookies rise gently and gives a soft, cake-like crumb.
Baking soda: Offers just the right amount of lift and a tender texture.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
Pumpkin pie spice: The cozy flavor backbone—think cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves all in one.
Ground cinnamon: Boosts the warmth of the spice mix for that classic autumn taste.
Optional royal icing or glaze: Perfect for decorating your Pumpkin Spice Cutouts and adding a sweet finish.

How to Make Pumpkin Spice Cutouts

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugars

Start your cookie adventure by adding the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar to a large mixing bowl. Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat them together until light and fluffy. This step is all about aerating the mixture, so your cookies turn out tender instead of dense. You’ll know it’s ready when it’s pale and doubled in volume.

Step 2: Mix in Pumpkin, Egg, and Vanilla

Now it’s time to add the stars of the show—pumpkin puree, a large egg, and vanilla extract. Beat on medium speed just until the mixture is smooth and creamy. The pumpkin will tint your dough that gorgeous orange hue and your kitchen will already start to smell like fall.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, pumpkin pie spice, and ground cinnamon. Whisking ensures that all the leavening and spices are evenly distributed, so every Pumpkin Spice Cutout is bursting with flavor.

Step 4: Form the Dough

Gradually add the flour mixture to your wet ingredients, beating on low speed or stirring until a soft dough forms. The dough might seem sticky at first, but resist adding more flour—you want these cookies soft and pillowy! Divide the dough in half and flatten each piece into a disc. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and pop them into the fridge for at least 1 hour. This makes the dough much easier to roll and helps the shapes keep their definition while baking.

Step 5: Roll Out and Cut Shapes

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line your baking sheets with parchment paper. On a lightly floured surface, take one disc of chilled dough at a time and roll it out to 1/4 inch thickness. Use your favorite cookie cutters—think pumpkins, leaves, ghosts, or even classic circles. Carefully transfer the cutouts to the baking sheets, leaving some space between them for gentle spreading.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Bake the Pumpkin Spice Cutouts for 9 to 11 minutes, just until the edges look set and are barely starting to turn golden. The centers will look soft, but that’s what ensures a tender cookie. Let them cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 7: Decorate (Optional)

Once your cookies are completely cool, grab some royal icing or a simple glaze and let your creativity flow! Decorate with fall-inspired designs, spooky faces, or elegant swirls. This is the perfect step for kids or friends to join in, making Pumpkin Spice Cutouts as pretty as they are delicious.

How to Serve Pumpkin Spice Cutouts

Garnishes

Dress up your Pumpkin Spice Cutouts with royal icing drizzles, a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar, or even a handful of festive sprinkles. If you’re aiming for elegance, try candied ginger or orange zest on top of your glaze for a sophisticated finish. Each garnish not only elevates their appearance but also adds a whisper of extra flavor.

Side Dishes

These cookies love to be the star of a cozy afternoon snack plate. Serve alongside a mug of chai tea, hot apple cider, or a classic pumpkin spice latte. Feeling a little fancy? Pair with whipped cream cheese dip or a small bowl of vanilla Greek yogurt for a unique cookie experience. Trust me, Pumpkin Spice Cutouts shine bright with both sweet and mellow partners.

Creative Ways to Present

Make your Pumpkin Spice Cutouts the centerpiece of a fall cookie platter with other seasonal favorites like snickerdoodles and maple shortbread. For Halloween parties, bundle decorated cookies in clear treat bags with ribbon for a charming homemade gift. Or tuck them into lunch boxes for your family as a surprise autumn treat—these little cookies deliver big smiles wherever they go!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once decorated and fully cooled, your Pumpkin Spice Cutouts will stay fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. To keep them extra soft, you can add a slice of bread to the container; it prevents the cookies from drying out without affecting their flavor.

Freezing

Making these ahead? Great idea! The unbaked dough discs can be stored in the freezer for up to three months—just thaw overnight in the refrigerator before rolling out. Baked, undecorated cookies also freeze well; layer with parchment in a freezer-safe container and thaw at room temperature before decorating or enjoying.

Reheating

Need to refresh your cookies? Pop a few Pumpkin Spice Cutouts into a 300°F (150°C) oven for 2-3 minutes. This will revive their cozy aroma and make them taste freshly baked. Be sure to let any icing harden completely before reheating if they’re decorated.

FAQs

Can I use homemade pumpkin puree?

Absolutely! Just make sure your homemade pumpkin puree is thick—not watery—for the best cookie texture. If your puree is a bit loose, drain it in a cheesecloth-lined sieve before use.

Do I have to chill the dough for a full hour?

Chilling is the secret weapon for crisp shapes and easy rolling. If you’re in a rush, a minimum of 30 minutes in the fridge helps, but an hour yields the best cutouts with clean edges.

Can I double the recipe?

Definitely! This recipe doubles beautifully. Split the dough into more discs before chilling so it’s manageable, and bake in batches to avoid overcrowding the oven.

What other spices can I add?

Feel free to tweak the spice blend! A dash of ground ginger, a hint of cardamom, or extra nutmeg can make the Pumpkin Spice Cutouts uniquely yours.

How do I make vegan Pumpkin Spice Cutouts?

For a plant-based version, substitute the butter with vegan baking spread, use your favorite egg replacer (like flax egg), and make sure to use a plant-based milk in your glaze or icing. The cookies stay soft and flavorful—no one will guess they’re vegan!

Final Thoughts

I can’t recommend these Pumpkin Spice Cutouts enough—they’re easy, festive, and fill your home with the sweetest autumn aroma. No matter how you decorate or share them, this recipe always delivers joy and plenty of “can I have another?” moments. Go ahead—gather your cookie cutters, break out the spices, and make a new fall tradition. Happy baking!

Pumpkin Spice Cutouts Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 16 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Pumpkin Spice Cutouts are delightful soft pumpkin cookies with warm spices that are perfect for fall or Halloween. These cookies are easy to make and can be decorated with royal icing for a festive touch.

Ingredients

Scale

Cookies:

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup canned pumpkin puree
1/4 cup brown sugar (light or dark)
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Optional for Decorating:

Royal icing or glaze

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Instructions

Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, cream together the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the pumpkin puree, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, pumpkin pie spice, and cinnamon.
Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms.
Chill Dough: Divide the dough in half, flatten into discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
Preheat and Roll: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and roll out one disc of dough at a time on a floured surface to 1/4 inch thickness.
Cut and Bake: Cut into desired shapes using cookie cutters and place on baking sheets. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes until edges are golden.
Cool and Decorate: Let cool on baking sheet for 2 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Decorate with icing once cooled.

Notes

For more defined shapes, chill the cut cookie shapes on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before baking.
These cookies are soft and cake-like with a gentle pumpkin spice flavor.

Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus 1 hour chilling time)
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American