I've perfected the BEST recipe for pumpkin cookies! Mine is perfectly chewy (and not cakey thanks to my tips!), full of festive Fall flavor, and drizzled with a thin layer of sweet vanilla glaze. You're going to love this one (no mixer needed!)! Recipe includes a how-to video!
Combine melted, cooled butter and sugars in a large bowl and stir well.
1 cup unsalted butter, ½ cup granulated sugar, 1 ½ cup light brown sugar
Add pumpkin, egg yolk, and vanilla extract and stir to combine.
1 large egg yolk, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, ⅔ cup pumpkin puree
In a separate, medium-sized bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and pumpkin spice until well-mixed.
3 cups all purpose flour, ½ teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon baking soda, ¾ teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
Gradually add dry ingredients to wet (I do this in 3-4 parts) stirring until ingredients are thoroughly combined.
Cover bowl and chill in the refrigerator for at least 60 minutes.
Once dough has nearly finished chilling, preheat oven to 350F (175C) and prepare cookie sheet by lining with parchment paper. Once oven is preheated, remove dough from the fridge and scoop by 1 ½ Tablespoon-sized scoops. If desired, roll into a smooth round ball.
Bake on 350F (175C) for 13-15 minutes and allow to cool completely on baking sheet before adding glaze (if using).
Glaze
In a medium-sized bowl whisk together powdered sugar, milk, corn syrup, and vanilla extract until smooth and the drizzle that falls from the whisk holds its shape for a second before dissolving into the bowl. If icing is too stiff, add a teaspoon more milk at a time, if it is too thin add a Tablespoon more powdered sugar at a time.
1 ½ cups powdered sugar, 1 ½ -2 Tablespoons milk, 1 Tablespoons light corn syrup², ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
Hold completely cooled cookie firmly by the base and dip the surface directly into the glaze (alternatively you can just use a spoon to drizzle the glaze over the cookies). Return to cookie sheet or cooling rack to allow the glaze to harden (about 30-60 minutes) before enjoying.
Video
Notes
¹Blotting the pumpkin is an important step that keeps these pumpkin cookies nice and chewy and not cake-y. To blot, simply measure out the pumpkin puree and place in a bowl. Press a folded up paper towel into the pumpkin repeatedly to extract as much moisture as you can. Repeat with more paper towels until they are no longer picking up substantial amounts of liquid. You can see this technique demonstrated in my video.²Corn syrup is not the same as high fructose corn syrup and it gives the glaze a shiny finish and helps it to dry hard. If you prefer you can leave it out, but you may need to add a splash more milk.