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Spiced Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting

If spiced pumpkin isn't the ultimate indication that autumn has arrived and Thanksgiving is approaching, I don't know what is! These cookies might just become your go-to autumn delight. The gentle and subtle flavors of nutmeg and cinnamon blend beautifully with the sweetness of cream cheese frosting. This recipe produces a generous batch, so be sure to set aside enough time to bake and frost them all!
Servings: 70 medium sized
Course: Dessert

Ingredients
  

DOUGH
  • 2 cups butter softened
  • 2 cups cane sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
  • 3 eggs
  • 15 ounces pumpkin puree
  • 4 cups flour
FROSTING
  • 1 cup butter softened
  • 16 ounces cream cheese
  • 2 + lbs powdered sugar
  • 3 teaspoons vanilla

Method
 

  1. COOKIES
  2. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
  3. In a large bowl or mixer, beat the butter until it becomes fluffy, which should take about 5 minutes. Then, add the sugar and continue beating until it is well incorporated and still fluffy.
  4. Next, mix in the baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg until everything is thoroughly combined.
  5. Add the eggs and vanilla, mixing until these ingredients are well integrated.
  6. Incorporate the pumpkin gradually, adding it in 1/4 cup increments, and continue mixing until all the pumpkin is included.
  7. Gradually add the flour in small portions until fully incorporated; the dough should be slightly “wet,” which is the desired consistency.
  8. Drop spoonfuls of the dough (we recommend using a tablespoon) onto baking sheets lined with parchment paper, and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the tops are set and no longer jiggly.
  9. Let the cookies cool completely before frosting!
FROSTING
  1. Whip all the ingredients together until light and fluffy!
  2. Let the cookies cool completely before applying the frosting.
  3. Once frosted, feel free to sprinkle some cinnamon on top if you desire!

Notes

* * you can halve the frosting recipe if you don't want a lot of frosting on each cookie, but we like to pile it on!