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Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies with Spiced Cream Cheese Icing
Laura

Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies with Spiced Cream Cheese Icing

Soft, chewy oatmeal cookies with pumpkin puree and warm fall spices, topped with a dreamy cinnamon cream cheese frosting. The perfect autumn treat.
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 14 minutes
Total Time 39 minutes
Servings: 36 cookies
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 245

Ingredients
  

  • 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats not quick oats
  • 2.25 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon for cookies
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 0.5 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 0.25 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened, for cookies
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 0.5 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup pumpkin puree not pumpkin pie filling
  • 2 large eggs room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract for cookies
  • 8 ounces cream cheese softened
  • 0.5 cup unsalted butter softened, for icing
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract for icing
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon for icing
  • 3-4 tablespoons heavy cream or milk

Equipment

  • electric mixer
  • Mixing bowls
  • Baking sheets
  • parchment paper
  • Wire cooling rack
  • Cookie scoop

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. Set aside.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, cream 1 cup softened butter with brown sugar and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes with an electric mixer.
  3. Beat in pumpkin puree, eggs, and 2 teaspoons vanilla until fully incorporated. The mixture will look slightly loose.
  4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Fold in 3 cups rolled oats with a spatula.
  5. Scoop rounded tablespoons of dough onto prepared baking sheets, spacing them 2 inches apart. Bake for 12-14 minutes until edges are lightly golden but centers still look soft.
  6. Let cookies cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Cool completely before icing.
  7. For the icing, beat 8 oz cream cheese and 1/2 cup softened butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar, 2 teaspoons vanilla, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and 3-4 tablespoons cream. Beat until fluffy.
  8. Dip or spread icing onto cooled cookies. Let set for 15 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • Use room temperature ingredients for best mixing results
  • Don't overbake - cookies should look slightly underdone when removed
  • Store in refrigerator for up to 5 days due to cream cheese frosting
  • Freeze unfrosted cookies for up to 3 months
  • Old-fashioned oats work best; quick oats make cookies too soft