When autumn rolls around, it’s all about the warm spices, cozy treats, and comforting flavors. Few desserts scream fall as much as Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies. These cookies combine the perfect balance of pumpkin, spices, and chocolate, delivering a deliciously soft, chewy treat that your family and friends will love. If you’re looking for an easy yet irresistible cookie recipe, you’re in the right place!
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll take you through the ins and outs of baking Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies, offering tips, tricks, and essential information to make this dessert the star of your fall baking lineup.
Why Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies Are the Perfect Fall Treat
Autumn brings shorter days and cooler weather, and what better way to warm up than with a batch of fresh Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies? These cookies combine rich, comforting flavors like pumpkin puree and semi-sweet chocolate chips with a blend of seasonal spices such as cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. Each bite is like a cozy hug for your taste buds. Plus, they’re quick to make and perfect for sharing!
Pumpkin isn’t just for pies and lattes anymore. Using pumpkin puree in cookies gives them a soft and chewy texture, while the addition of semi-sweet chocolate chips ensures each bite has just the right amount of sweetness to balance out the spices.
Ingredients for Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
To make these cookies, you’ll need a few pantry staples, along with some key fall ingredients that help bring out the flavors of the season. Here’s what you’ll need to bake the perfect Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup canned pumpkin puree
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
These ingredients come together to create a delicious cookie dough that’s spiced to perfection. Don’t skip the pumpkin puree, as it adds both flavor and moisture, making these cookies irresistible!
Step-by-Step Directions to Make Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
1. Preheat Your Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This ensures that your cookies don’t stick to the pan and makes for easy cleanup.
2. Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is crucial for achieving a tender cookie, as it helps to aerate the dough.
3. Add the Pumpkin, Egg, and Vanilla
Mix in the pumpkin puree, egg, and vanilla extract. Blend until smooth, ensuring all the ingredients are well combined. This mixture will form the base of your cookie dough.
4. Whisk Together the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. The combination of these spices gives the cookies their signature fall flavor.
5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until everything is incorporated. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tougher cookies.
6. Fold in the Chocolate Chips
Gently fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
7. Scoop and Bake
Drop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto your prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers are set.
8. Cool and Enjoy
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy them warm for a gooey, chocolatey treat, or at room temperature for a soft and chewy bite.
Pro Tips for the Best Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
Baking the perfect batch of Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies doesn’t have to be tricky. Here are some pro tips to ensure your cookies turn out perfectly every time:
- Chill the Dough: If your dough feels too soft, pop it in the fridge for 20-30 minutes before baking. This will help prevent the cookies from spreading too much.
- Don’t Overmix: Overmixing the dough can cause the cookies to become tough. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
- Use Fresh Spices: For the best flavor, make sure your spices are fresh. Old spices can lose their potency, which will affect the overall taste of your cookies.
- Pumpkin Puree, Not Pumpkin Pie Filling: Be sure to use pure pumpkin puree rather than pumpkin pie filling, which contains added sugar and spices.
Nutritional Information & Health Benefits of Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
Wondering if these Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies offer any nutritional benefits? Here’s a breakdown of the good stuff:
Pumpkin is rich in vitamin A, which is great for your eyes and skin. It’s also packed with fiber, which can help with digestion. While these cookies are still a sweet treat, they do offer a small nutritional boost thanks to the pumpkin puree.
Nutrition Details (Per Cookie):
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Protein: 2g
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 16g
- Vitamin A: 3500 IU
- Calcium: 20mg
- Iron: 1mg
FAQs about Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
Absolutely! Scoop the dough into balls, freeze them on a tray, and then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag. When ready to bake, add an extra minute or two to the baking time.
No worries! You can substitute the individual spices with a pumpkin pie spice blend, which is a convenient alternative.
Yes! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking flour, and you’re good to go.
You can! Just make sure to puree it well and remove any excess moisture so it doesn’t make the dough too watery.
This could happen if the butter is too soft or if the dough wasn’t chilled. Try chilling the dough for about 20 minutes before baking.
Conclusion: Bake These Irresistible Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies Today!
If you’re looking for a fall-inspired dessert that’s easy to make and guaranteed to please, these Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies are a must-try. With their perfect blend of pumpkin, spices, and chocolate, they’re sure to become a favorite in your home. So, grab your ingredients, preheat that oven, and start baking!
More Relevant Recipes
- Cinnamon Cookies Recipe
- Pumpkin Spice No Bake Cookies
- Pumpkin Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting
- Chewy Brown Butter Maple Pumpkin Cookies
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
These soft and chewy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies are the perfect fall treat! Packed with warm spices and gooey chocolate chips, they offer a delicious balance of sweet and spice in every bite.
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: About 24 cookies 1x
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup canned pumpkin puree
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: First things first, let’s get the oven ready. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or use a silicone baking mat for easy cleanup.
- Cream the Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the Wet Ingredients: Next, mix in the pumpkin puree, egg, and vanilla extract. Make sure everything is well combined and smooth before moving on.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. These spices will bring out the autumn vibes in your cookies!
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough—this can make the cookies tough. Fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Scoop and Bake: Drop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto your prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches of space between each cookie. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the centers are set.
- Cool and Serve: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. Enjoy them warm for a gooey, melty chocolate experience, or at room temperature for a soft, chewy treat.
Notes
- Don’t Overmix: When combining the dry and wet ingredients, overmixing can lead to dense cookies. Stir until just combined.
- Pumpkin Puree: Make sure to use pure pumpkin puree and not pumpkin pie filling, which contains added spices and sugar.
- Chill the Dough: If your cookie dough feels too soft, chilling it for 15-20 minutes before baking can help prevent spreading.
- Storage: These cookies can be stored in an airtight container for up to 5 days. You can also freeze the dough for up to 3 months and bake it fresh when needed.
- Prep Time: 15 minute
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg