Irresistible Pumpkin Cake Mix Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting: Your Easy Fall Baking Staple
Embrace the cozy spirit of autumn with these incredibly soft, delightfully chewy, and effortlessly delicious pumpkin cake mix cookies. Each cookie is a little bite of fall perfection, crowned with a luscious homemade cream cheese frosting and a delicate sprinkle of cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice. ‘Tis indeed the season for pumpkin spice baking, and this recipe makes it easier and more rewarding than ever!
Why These Easy Pumpkin Cake Mix Cookies Are a Must-Try
These delightful pumpkin cake mix cookies are a testament to simplified baking without compromising on flavor or texture. Requiring only 6 basic ingredients for the cookies themselves, plus a divine homemade cream cheese frosting to elevate them, they are truly irresistible. They’ve quickly become a staple for fall gatherings, Halloween parties, and of course, Thanksgiving dessert tables, offering a comforting taste of the season in every bite.
Cake mix cookies are celebrated for their incredible ease and consistency. If you adore a soft, melt-in-your-mouth, cake-like texture in your homemade treats, then this recipe is about to become your new favorite. The convenience of starting with a cake mix means less measuring, fewer ingredients, and a much quicker prep time, allowing you to enjoy the process and the delicious results even more. Once you experience how wonderfully simple these cookies are to create, you’ll be inspired to explore a world of different flavor combinations. Think of variations like our vibrant strawberry cake mix cookies or the festive confetti cake mix cookies – the creative possibilities are absolutely endless! This pumpkin version captures the essence of autumn with minimal effort, making it perfect for busy bakers or anyone craving a quick fall treat.
Gather Your Ingredients for Pumpkin Cake Mix Cookies
To ensure you have everything ready for these delightful fall treats, refer to the detailed list of measurements, ingredients, and instructions available in the printable recipe card at the very end of this blog post. Planning ahead will make your baking experience even smoother!
Ingredient Spotlight & Smart Substitutions
Understanding your ingredients is key to successful baking. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and some helpful tips for substitutions:
For the Pumpkin Cake Mix Cookies:
- Cake Mix: You’ll need 1 box (approximately 15.25 oz) of spice cake mix. This is your secret weapon for incredible flavor and a tender, cakey texture. The inherent spices in this mix — cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger — are what give these cookies their signature fall taste. While spice cake mix is highly recommended for its convenience and robust flavor, you can absolutely get creative. If you only have a yellow or white cake mix on hand, don’t fret! Simply add a few teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice to the mix to infuse those warm autumn notes. This simple trick allows for flexibility without sacrificing the seasonal feel.
- Pumpkin Puree: This ingredient is crucial for moisture, color, and, of course, that authentic pumpkin flavor. Make absolutely certain you grab a can of pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling. Pumpkin pie filling contains added sugars and spices, which would alter the flavor profile and sweetness of your cookies. Pumpkin puree provides the natural pumpkin essence and contributes to the soft, chewy texture.
- Oil (Vegetable or Canola): A small amount of vegetable or canola oil is added to further enhance the moisture content and contribute to the cookies’ tender crumb. It helps keep them soft long after they’ve cooled.
- Vanilla Extract: Just a touch of vanilla extract rounds out the flavors, adding warmth and depth that complements the pumpkin and spice beautifully. Don’t skip it!
- Pumpkin Pie Spice: Even with a spice cake mix, an extra half teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice boosts the aromatic qualities, ensuring that unmistakable fall flavor truly shines through in every bite.
- Egg: The egg acts as a binder, helping to hold the cookies together and providing structure as they bake, resulting in a perfectly chewy cookie.
For the Homemade Cream Cheese Frosting:
Who can possibly resist a smooth, creamy, and tangy homemade cream cheese frosting? It’s the ideal counterpoint to the sweet, spiced pumpkin cookies. This frosting recipe is essentially a classic buttercream, but with the wonderful addition of cream cheese, which introduces a delightful hint of tanginess that balances the sweetness. This particular frosting recipe is so versatile and delicious, you’ll find yourself wanting to keep it on hand for countless other desserts and baked goods in the future! Of course, if you’re in a pinch or prefer maximum convenience, you can certainly substitute with a good quality canned cream cheese frosting from your local grocery store. However, we highly recommend making your own for that truly superior taste and texture.
- Confectioners’ Sugar (Powdered Sugar): This fine sugar is what gives the frosting its smooth, melt-in-your-mouth texture and sweetness. Sifting it can help prevent lumps.
- Cream Cheese: Softened cream cheese is essential for that signature tangy flavor and creamy consistency. Make sure it’s at room temperature for easy blending.
- Butter: Softened unsalted butter provides richness and contributes to the frosting’s body. Also, ensure it’s at room temperature to prevent a lumpy frosting.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor profile of the frosting, adding a warm, aromatic note.
- Salt: A tiny pinch of salt is vital to balance the sweetness and bring out the other flavors in the frosting.
Baking Bliss: How to Make Pumpkin Cake Mix Cookies
These step-by-step photos and detailed instructions are designed to help you visualize each stage of making this delicious recipe. For a convenient printable version of this recipe, complete with precise measurements and full instructions, simply Jump to Recipe at the bottom of this post.
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Prepare the Cookie Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the entire box of spice cake mix, the measured pumpkin puree, one egg, the vegetable oil, vanilla extract, and the extra pumpkin pie spice. Mix these ingredients thoroughly until they are well incorporated and form a cohesive dough. It’s important to scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure everything is evenly mixed. Once your dough is ready, cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and transfer it to the refrigerator. Chill the dough for a minimum of 1 hour. This chilling step is crucial as it helps the dough firm up, making it much easier to handle and preventing the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
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Scoop and Bake: After the dough has sufficiently chilled, remove the bowl from the refrigerator. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; this prevents sticking and makes for easy cleanup. Using a spoon or a small cookie scoop (for more uniform cookies), drop rounded spoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie for spreading. You’ll notice the dough is a bit sticky, which is perfectly normal for cake mix cookies.
EXPERT TIP: If the dough feels excessively sticky and difficult to manage even after chilling, you can incorporate an additional 1-2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour into the mix. This will help reduce stickiness without significantly altering the cookie’s texture. Be careful not to add too much flour, as it can make the cookies dry.
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Cool Down: Bake the cookies for 12-14 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers are set but still soft. Overbaking can lead to dry cookies, so keep an eye on them! Once baked, carefully remove the tray from the oven and allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire cooling rack to cool completely. Cooling completely is essential before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
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Whip Up the Cream Cheese Frosting: While the cookies are cooling, it’s time to prepare that irresistible cream cheese frosting. In a medium-sized bowl, add the confectioners’ sugar, softened cream cheese, softened butter, vanilla extract, and a tiny pinch of salt. Using a hand mixer (or a stand mixer), beat these ingredients together for several minutes. Start on low speed to avoid a sugar cloud, then increase to medium-high. Continue beating until the mixture is beautifully light, fluffy, well incorporated, and has a smooth, creamy consistency that forms soft peaks. This usually takes about 3-5 minutes.
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Frost and Garnish: Once the pumpkin cake mix cookies have cooled completely to room temperature, use a butter knife, an offset spatula, or even a small piping bag to spread a generous layer of the homemade cream cheese frosting onto each cookie. For a beautiful finish and an extra touch of fall flavor, sprinkle a little cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice on top of the frosted cookies as desired. This final flourish not only adds visual appeal but also enhances the overall aroma and taste experience.
Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Baking Tips
Absolutely! Adding mix-ins is a fantastic way to customize these cookies. For a harmonious flavor pairing, I highly recommend white chocolate chips or even pumpkin spice chocolate chips if you can find them. Semi-sweet chocolate chips also work wonderfully if you prefer a classic chocolate taste. Simply stir your desired mix-ins into the cookie batter just before scooping and baking. You could also try chopped pecans, walnuts, or dried cranberries for an added festive touch!
It’s common for this pumpkin cake mix cookie dough to be a little sticky, especially when spooning it onto the baking tray. The pumpkin puree adds significant moisture. If the dough is too sticky to comfortably handle or scoop, a simple solution is to add 1 to 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour to the mix. Incorporate it gently until the dough is more manageable. Remember, a little flour goes a long way, and adding too much can change the soft texture of your cookies.
To maintain their freshness and deliciousness, store your frosted pumpkin cake mix cookies in an airtight container. Because of the cream cheese frosting, it’s best to store them in the refrigerator, especially in warmer climates. They will keep well for up to 1 week. If they are unfrosted, they can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for 3-4 days, but refrigerating frosted cookies is ideal.
Yes, absolutely! Freezing is a great way to prepare ahead or save some for later.
- To freeze cookie dough: Scoop the dough into individual balls and flash freeze them on a baking sheet for about 20-30 minutes, or until firm and no longer sticky to the touch. Once chilled, transfer the dough balls to a large freezer-safe Ziploc bag or an airtight container. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to bake, simply remove the desired number of dough balls from the freezer and allow them to thaw on the counter for 5-10 minutes before baking as directed. You might need to add an extra minute or two to the baking time.
- To freeze baked cookies (unfrosted): Allow them to cool completely. Arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and flash freeze until solid. Then, transfer to an airtight freezer container, separating layers with parchment paper. Thaw at room temperature before frosting.
Yes, homemade cream cheese frosting is freezer-friendly! You can easily make it ahead of time and freeze it for future use. Place the frosting in an airtight container and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to use it, thaw the frosting overnight in the refrigerator. Before applying it to your cookies, let it come to room temperature, then give it a good stir or a quick whip with your hand mixer to restore its creamy, fluffy consistency. It’ll be just as delicious as freshly made!
Serving Suggestions for Your Fall Pumpkin Cookies
These delightful pumpkin cake mix cookies are more than just a dessert; they’re an experience! They make a wonderfully fun treat to bake on a crisp, chilly fall day. Gather the kids, invite some friends over, or simply enjoy a relaxing afternoon in the kitchen filling your home with the intoxicating aroma of pumpkin and spice. Once frosted, don’t forget that final flourish: a generous sprinkle of cinnamon or extra pumpkin pie spice on top for the ultimate aromatic and flavorful experience. They pair perfectly with a warm mug of coffee, a steaming cup of tea, a cozy pumpkin spice latte, or even a glass of cold milk. Serve them at your next fall potluck, a Halloween gathering, or as a special sweet ending to your Thanksgiving meal. They’re also fantastic for cookie exchanges or simply as an everyday indulgence.
Explore More Delicious Pumpkin Recipes
If you’ve fallen in love with the flavor of pumpkin, you’re in luck! We have a wide array of other fantastic pumpkin-themed recipes that are perfect for the autumn season. From comforting desserts to savory delights and warming beverages, there’s something here to satisfy every pumpkin craving:
- Classic Pumpkin Roll
- Moist Pumpkin Cake
- Slow Cooker Pumpkin Spice Latte
- Homemade Pumpkin Spice Donuts
- Delightful Mini Pumpkin Whoopie Pies
- Cozy Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate
- Elegant Pumpkin Trifle
- Hearty Pumpkin Chicken Pot Pie
- Adorable Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes
I genuinely love to bake and cook, and I’m thrilled to share my kitchen experiences and tested recipes with all of you! Remembering to come back each day for new inspiration can be tough, which is why I offer a convenient newsletter every time a new recipe is posted. Simply subscribe today and start receiving your free daily recipes directly to your inbox!
Pumpkin Cake Mix Cookies
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
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Ingredients
- 15.25 oz spice cake mix 1 box
- ½ cup pumpkin puree NOT pumpkin pie filling
- 1 egg
- 2 Tbsp vegetable oil or canola oil
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp pumpkin pie spice
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 4 cups confectioners sugar aka powdered sugar
- 8 oz cream cheese softened at room temperature
- ½ cup butter softened at room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ⅛ tsp salt
- cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice for garnish
Things You’ll Need
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Mixing bowls
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Insulated baking sheets
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Wire cooling racks
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Hand mixer
Before You Begin
- *The dough will be a little sticky when spooning it onto the baking tray. If the dough is too sticky to handle, add 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour to the mix. *
Instructions
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In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, pumpkin puree, egg, oil, vanilla extract, and pumpkin pie spice. Mix until well incorporated. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour or longer.
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Remove the bowl from the refrigerator after the dough has chilled and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Drop the dough by the spoonful onto the sheet, leaving space between each cookie.
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Bake the cookies for 12-14 minutes, or until set and edges are lightly golden. Remove the tray from the oven and let the cookies cool on a cooling rack completely.
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To make the frosting, add the confectioners sugar, cream cheese, butter, vanilla extract, and salt to a medium sized bowl. Beat with a hand mixer for several minutes until the mixture is well incorporated, smooth, and forms soft peaks.
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Once the cookies have cooled completely, use a butter knife or offset spatula to spread the frosting on the cookies. Add sprinkled cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice on top as desired for garnish.
Nutrition
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.