Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Marshmallow Cookies bring everything you want from fall baking into one soft, chewy dessert. Pumpkin puree keeps the centers tender, pumpkin pie spice adds warm seasonal flavor, and pockets of melted chocolate and toasted marshmallow make every bite rich and gooey. Better yet, these cookies are made without butter, require no dough chilling, and come together in one bowl.
Inspired by the recipe from Plant Based RD, this version uses creamy almond butter as the main source of fat. The result is a batch of vegan pumpkin cookies that stays soft rather than becoming overly cakey. Whether you need an easy Thanksgiving dessert, an autumn baking project, or simply want a cozy cookie with your afternoon coffee, Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Marshmallow Cookies are an irresistible option.
Table of Contents
Why These Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Marshmallow Cookies Work
Pumpkin cookies can sometimes turn out more like miniature cakes than traditional cookies. These Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Marshmallow Cookies avoid that problem by balancing a relatively small amount of pumpkin puree with almond butter, brown sugar, and all-purpose flour.
The pumpkin provides moisture and seasonal flavor without overwhelming the dough. Natural almond butter contributes richness and helps create a satisfying chewy texture without vegan butter.
Chocolate and marshmallows make the cookies especially decadent. As the cookies bake, the chocolate becomes melty while exposed pieces of marshmallow soften and lightly toast. That combination gives these pumpkin marshmallow cookies a subtle s’mores-inspired quality.
Another advantage is convenience. There is no need to chill the cookie dough before baking. Once everything is mixed, you can shape the dough, flatten the cookies, and put them directly into a 350°F oven.
Ingredients for Soft and Chewy Pumpkin Cookies
You will need the following ingredients to make Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Marshmallow Cookies.
- Roasted almond butter: Provides richness, healthy fats, and structure while replacing traditional butter. A natural, runny almond butter works particularly well.
- Light brown sugar: Adds sweetness, moisture, and a subtle caramel-like flavor that complements pumpkin spice.
- Pumpkin puree: Keeps the cookies tender and supplies their characteristic pumpkin flavor. Use plain pumpkin puree rather than pumpkin pie filling.
- Maple syrup: Adds extra sweetness and moisture while reinforcing the cozy fall flavors.
- Vanilla extract: Rounds out the pumpkin, chocolate, and warm spices.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and makes the chocolate and pumpkin spice flavors more noticeable.
- Baking powder: Provides gentle lift and helps create a tender cookie.
- Baking soda: Supports browning and contributes to the finished texture.
- Pumpkin pie spice: Gives these cookies their classic combination of warm autumn spices.
- All-purpose flour: Forms the structure of the cookie dough and helps prevent excessive spreading.
- Vegan dark chocolate chips or chunks: Create rich pools of melted chocolate throughout each cookie.
- Vegan marshmallows: Add sweet, gooey pockets and a lightly toasted marshmallow flavor.
Ingredient Swaps and Helpful Alternatives
Dark brown sugar can replace light brown sugar if that is what you have available. It has a stronger molasses flavor and may produce darker Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Marshmallow Cookies.
Chocolate chunks and chocolate chips are interchangeable. Chopping a dairy-free dark chocolate bar into irregular pieces is particularly good when you want larger pockets of melted chocolate.
The original recipe uses almond butter, but other natural nut or seed butters may work, including cashew butter, peanut butter, or sunflower seed butter. Choose a smooth, runny product containing primarily nuts or seeds, with salt if desired. Keep in mind that changing the nut butter can alter both flavor and texture.
You can also leave out the marshmallows and replace them with additional chocolate if you prefer straightforward pumpkin chocolate chip cookies.
For vegan cookies, check both your chocolate and marshmallow labels carefully to make sure the products meet your dietary needs.
How to Make Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Marshmallow Cookies
These Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Marshmallow Cookies use a simple one-bowl method, so preparation and cleanup are both easy.
- Prepare the oven and baking sheet. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper so the soft cookies release easily after baking.
- Combine the wet ingredients. Add 1/2 cup roasted almond butter, 1/2 cup light brown sugar, 1/4 cup pumpkin puree, 2 tablespoons maple syrup, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1/4 teaspoon salt to a medium mixing bowl. Stir thoroughly until the mixture looks smooth and evenly combined.
- Add the leaveners and spice. Mix in 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, 1/4 teaspoon baking soda, and 1 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice. Mixing these ingredients into the wet mixture first helps distribute them throughout the cookie dough.
- Measure the flour carefully. Spoon all-purpose flour into a measuring cup instead of scooping directly from the flour container. Level the top without packing it down. Measure 1 cup and fold it into the pumpkin mixture.
- Finish forming the dough. Continue folding until a thick cookie dough forms. If necessary, gently bring the dough together with clean hands until it is smooth and evenly mixed. Avoid excessive kneading.
- Add the chocolate and marshmallows. Fold in 1/4 cup vegan dark chocolate chips or chunks and 1/4 cup vegan marshmallows. Distribute them throughout the dough so every cookie gets chocolate and gooey marshmallow.
- Shape the cookies. Take roughly 2 tablespoons of dough and roll it into a ball. Place it on the prepared baking sheet and gently press it down into a cookie shape. Repeat with the remaining dough, leaving some space between each cookie.
- Bake until set. Bake the Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Marshmallow Cookies for about 10 minutes. They should still look quite soft when they leave the oven, so avoid waiting for them to become firm or deeply browned.
- Cool on the baking sheet. Leave the cookies undisturbed on their baking tray for at least 10 minutes. This cooling period is an important part of the process because the cookies continue setting after they leave the oven.
- Serve once set. Enjoy the cookies slightly warm for the softest texture and the best combination of melted dark chocolate and gooey marshmallow.
Secrets to Perfect Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Marshmallow Cookies
The most important tip for Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Marshmallow Cookies is to resist moving them immediately after baking. They are extremely soft when hot and can fall apart if transferred to a cooling rack too soon. Give them at least 10 minutes on the baking sheet.
Your choice of almond butter also matters. Natural almond butter with a loose, runny consistency mixes into the dough more easily and contributes moisture. Stir the jar thoroughly before measuring because the oil can separate.
Accurate flour measurement is equally important. Too much flour can turn soft pumpkin cookies dry or cakey. Spoon the flour into your measuring cup and level it rather than compressing it.
Finally, shape the cookies before baking. This cookie dough does not spread dramatically in the oven. If you bake tall dough balls without flattening them, they are likely to remain thicker than expected.
How to Keep Pumpkin Cookies Soft Instead of Cakey
Pumpkin puree contains a significant amount of moisture, which is one reason pumpkin desserts often develop a cake-like crumb. A carefully balanced cookie dough helps control that effect.
Do not add extra pumpkin puree simply because you want a stronger pumpkin flavor. Extra moisture changes the flour-to-liquid ratio and can make the Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Marshmallow Cookies considerably softer and more cake-like.
For a stronger autumn flavor, increase the impact of the spices rather than the pumpkin. Fresh, aromatic pumpkin pie spice can make a noticeable difference without altering the dough’s moisture level.
Avoid overbaking as well. Ten minutes at 350°F is designed to leave the centers soft. The residual heat from the baking sheet continues setting the cookies while they cool.
Flavor Variations and Serving Ideas
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Marshmallow Cookies are delicious warm on their own, but there are several easy ways to customize them.
For extra chocolate flavor, press a few additional dark chocolate chunks into the tops before baking. You can also add chopped pecans or walnuts for crunch, provided you account for dietary restrictions.
For a stronger s’mores-inspired cookie, use plenty of marshmallow pieces alongside roughly chopped dark chocolate. The combination of warm chocolate, soft marshmallow, and spiced pumpkin creates a cozy alternative to traditional campfire flavors.
If you enjoy sweet-and-salty desserts, a tiny sprinkle of flaky salt over the freshly baked cookies can provide contrast to the chocolate and marshmallow.
Serve Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Marshmallow Cookies with coffee, hot tea, dairy-free hot chocolate, or a cold glass of plant-based milk. They also work nicely as part of an autumn dessert platter alongside apple desserts, brownies, or other pumpkin treats.
Storing and Freezing Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Marshmallow Cookies
Allow Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Marshmallow Cookies to cool completely before storing them. Keeping warm cookies in a sealed container can trap excess moisture and negatively affect their texture.
For longer storage, these cookies can be frozen. Once completely cooled, arrange them on a plate or tray and freeze until firm. Transfer the frozen cookies to an airtight freezer-safe container or reusable freezer bag. They can be frozen for up to three months.
When you want that fresh-from-the-oven experience again, gently reheat an individual cookie. About 15 seconds in the microwave can help warm the center and soften the chocolate and marshmallow.
Freezing individual cookies also makes this recipe useful for meal planning. Instead of having to finish the whole batch immediately, you can keep an easy fall dessert ready whenever a pumpkin spice craving appears.
A Cozy One-Bowl Cookie for Fall Baking
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Marshmallow Cookies combine several classic comfort-food flavors without requiring complicated baking techniques. The warmly spiced pumpkin dough is soft and chewy, dark chocolate adds richness, and melted vegan marshmallows provide irresistible gooey pockets.
Because the dough requires just one bowl and no chilling, these cookies are particularly convenient when you want a homemade fall dessert without spending hours in the kitchen. Careful flour measurement, runny natural almond butter, pre-shaping the dough, and sufficient cooling time are the keys to getting the texture right.
Bake Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Marshmallow Cookies for Halloween gatherings, Thanksgiving dessert tables, autumn parties, or a relaxed weekend treat. Served slightly warm, when the chocolate is melted and the marshmallow is soft, they capture everything that makes pumpkin spice baking so satisfying.
Why You’ll Want to Bake These Cookies Again
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Marshmallow Cookies are an easy way to bring warm fall flavors and indulgent textures together in one homemade treat. Pumpkin puree keeps the cookies wonderfully soft, while pumpkin pie spice adds that familiar autumn aroma. Dark chocolate chunks and gooey marshmallows finish each bite with rich, s’mores-inspired sweetness.
The simple one-bowl preparation makes this recipe especially useful for busy fall baking. There is no dough chilling required, and the cookies need only about 10 minutes in the oven. Just remember to flatten the dough before baking and let the finished cookies rest on the baking sheet so their delicate centers have time to set.
Whether you make Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Marshmallow Cookies for Halloween, Thanksgiving, a fall gathering, or an afternoon treat with coffee, they offer an appealing alternative to ordinary pumpkin cookies. Serve them slightly warm for melty chocolate, soft marshmallow, and the coziest texture.
More FAQs About Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Marshmallow Cookies
Can I Make Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Marshmallow Cookies Ahead of Time?
Yes. Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Marshmallow Cookies are a convenient make-ahead dessert because they remain naturally soft thanks to the pumpkin puree and almond butter.
Bake the cookies as directed and allow them to cool completely before storing. For longer storage, freeze the cooled cookies in an airtight freezer-safe container. Separating layers with parchment paper can help prevent them from sticking together.
What Marshmallows Work Best for Pumpkin Cookies?
Small vegan marshmallows or larger vegan marshmallows cut into pieces work well in Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Marshmallow Cookies. Smaller pieces are easier to distribute evenly throughout the dough, giving more cookies a gooey marshmallow center.
If keeping the recipe vegan is important, check the ingredient label because conventional marshmallows commonly contain gelatin. Vegan varieties provide the same sweet, chewy contrast while keeping the cookies plant-based.
Can I Reheat Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Marshmallow Cookies?
Yes. Reheating is an excellent way to restore the gooey texture of the chocolate and marshmallows. Place one Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Marshmallow Cookie in the microwave for approximately 15 seconds.
The exact reheating time can vary depending on your microwave. Start with a short interval because overheating may cause the marshmallow to become extremely hot. The goal is simply to warm the center and soften the chocolate.
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Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Marshmallow Cookies
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 10 cookies
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Soft and chewy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Marshmallow Cookies made with pumpkin puree, creamy almond butter, warm pumpkin pie spice, dark chocolate, and gooey vegan marshmallows. These easy one-bowl vegan cookies require no chilling and bake in just 10 minutes.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup roasted natural almond butter
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup canned pumpkin puree
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- 1 cup all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- 1/4 cup vegan dark chocolate chips or chunks
- 1/4 cup vegan marshmallows
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Add the almond butter, light brown sugar, pumpkin puree, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and salt to a medium mixing bowl. Mix thoroughly until smooth and well combined.
- Add the baking powder, baking soda, and pumpkin pie spice. Stir until the spices and leavening agents are evenly incorporated.
- Spoon the all-purpose flour into a measuring cup and level it. Add the flour to the wet ingredients and fold until a thick dough begins to form. Gently bring the dough together with clean hands until smooth.
- Fold the dark chocolate chips or chunks and vegan marshmallows into the cookie dough until evenly distributed.
- Scoop approximately 2 tablespoons of dough for each cookie and roll it into a ball. Place each portion on the prepared baking sheet and gently flatten it into a cookie shape because the dough will spread only slightly during baking.
- Bake for approximately 10 minutes. The cookies should still be very soft when removed from the oven.
- Leave the cookies on the baking sheet for at least 10 minutes after baking so they can continue to set without falling apart.
- Serve once set, preferably slightly warm for gooey marshmallows and melted chocolate.
Notes
- Use plain canned pumpkin puree rather than pumpkin pie filling.
- Use natural, runny almond butter for the best soft and chewy texture. Stir the almond butter thoroughly before measuring.
- Spoon and level the flour instead of packing it into the measuring cup. Too much flour can make the cookies dry or cakey.
- Flatten the cookie dough before baking because these cookies spread only a small amount in the oven.
- Do not move the cookies immediately after baking. They are extremely soft while hot and need at least 10 minutes to set on the baking sheet.
- For a vegan recipe, make sure both the chocolate and marshmallows are vegan.
- Dark brown sugar can be substituted for light brown sugar, although it will produce a deeper color and stronger molasses flavor.
- The marshmallows can be omitted and replaced with additional chocolate chips or chunks.
- Completely cooled cookies can be frozen in an airtight freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
- Reheat an individual cookie in the microwave for approximately 15 seconds to soften the chocolate and marshmallow.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 105 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg