Soft Batch Frosted Pumpkin Cookies
A seasonal Lofthouse style cookie recipe. Soft batch, non-cakey, spiced pumpkin cookies with your choice of vanilla or maple frosting and colorful sprinkles for a finishing touch.
Are you watching the World Series? Tell me you are. But more importantly… tell me you’re routing for the Red Sox. I have to admit, I totally had to call it quits during the 7th inning of the first game. I just couldn’t keep my eyes open any longer. But up until that point it was a fun game to watch. Drama before the 2nd inning was even over. Gotta love it.
My biggest gripe about big games and series like this is that they give you a time (ex. 730pm) but then the game doesn’t actually start for 30+ minutes later. Can’t they be more specific and say pre-game coverage? Which they do for regular season, I just swear they don’t in post-season coverage which kind of drives me bonkers. Of course maybe they really do and I’m just focused on a time, any time, so I don’t miss the game and it just so happens to be the wrong time. Someone remind me in the future to not start watching until the game is minutes from officially starting. Of course a little early is totally okay because I like catching the National Anthem. Â :)
Enough about baseball… let’s talk cookies… because you’re probably mad at me for shoving these in your face and rambling on about something else, right? ;)
It’s hard to believe I’ve never in my life (or that I know of) had a Lofthouse style cookie. I’m sure I’ve seen them in stores plenty but I never bought them. Why? Because I like to make my own cookies and because prepackaged baked goods can occasionally be questionable… will they be soft or crunchy or *gasp* crumbly? Will they even taste good? Don’t get me wrong, I buy my fair share of pre-made stuff but baked goods in clear plastic bins isn’t high on my list. Not to mention that they’re typically in the ‘not safe’ list of foods for this house because bakeries have nuts and they’re a no-no here.
After seeing soft batch Lofthouse style cookies floating around all over the blogosphere, I finally decided to tackle them myself. My only regret is that I didn’t make them sooner! So soft and packed with flavor. I made both a vanilla version and a pumpkin version. For the vanilla cookies, you’ll have to hop on over to Katrina’s to grab the recipe as I’m sharing it over there today! If you’re looking for the pumpkin recipe… look no further!
Both flavors are ridiculously tasty and the sprinkles are 200% necessary. If you’re looking for a classic, try the soft batch vanilla cookies. If you’re looking for a fun seasonal version of your favorite Lofthouse style cookie… try these soft batch frosted pumpkin cookies. Plenty of spice and flavor packed into a small treat! Bonus, for those of you looking for egg-free dessert recipes, add this pumpkin cookie to your list. Yes, egg-free! Be sure to check out what other egg-free desserts I have as well!
Remember to stop by Katrina’s to grab the soft batch vanilla frosted cookie recipe. The pumpkin cookie recipe can be found below.
Soft Batch Frosted Pumpkin Cookies
Ingredients
Cookie ingredients:
- 3/4 C unsalted butter softened
- 1/2 C granulated sugar
- 1/4 C light brown sugar
- 4 1/2 Tbsp pumpkin puree
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- Pinch of ground cloves
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 2 1/4 C all purpose flour
Frosting ingredients:
- 2 1/2 C powdered sugar
- 2-3 Tbsp unsalted butter softened
- 1/2 Tbsp vanilla extract or pure maple syrup
- 3-4 Tbsp milk or water
Topping:
- Sprinkles
Instructions
- In a large bowl or stand mixer, cream together butter and sugars. Mix in pumpkin and vanilla. When mixture is just barely combined, add remaining dry ingredients. Mix until no streaks remain and batter is lump free.
- Cover and chill for at least one hour.
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Using a medium cookie scoop, scoop dough, shape into smooth balls and gently flatten slightly. Bake for 10-11 minutes. Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 1 minute prior to transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- When cookies have cooled completely, prepare frosting. In a medium bowl, mix together powdered sugar and butter until evenly dispersed, mixture may be crumbly. Add vanilla and 1 Tbsp of milk or water at a time until desired icing consistency is reached.
- Frost cookies with a small offset spatula and immediately top off with sprinkles. Allow frosting to set or enjoy immediately. Once frosting has set completely, store cookies in an airtight container.
Notes
More pumpkin recipes to try:
Jamaican spiced pumpkin pie
Maple pumpkin mini cheesecakes with brown sugar maple whipped cream
Pumpkin cinnamon swirl bread
Pumpkin snickerdoodle cookies
Pumpkin mousse parfaits
Pumpkin cheesecake
Pumpkin donut holes
Perfect soft batch chocolate chip cookies
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I am not sure I have ever had a Lofthouse cookie either but I’m lovin these pumpkin flavored ones!!
Thanks Nancy!
These look absolutely beautiful. I can taste them already!
Thanks Ali!
These look so much better than any store could ever, ever make! I too have never had one of these kinds of cookies, but I think that needs to change, especially with the holiday season ahead! :)
You definitely should try them! :)
These look so fluffy and moist and a bite of pumpkin heaven! I need a few right now!
Thanks Steph! :)
These sound fabulous! I can’t get enough of pumpkin lately!
Tis the season! :) And thanks Amy!
These cookies look amazing! I must be doing something wrong because my cookies always look like something is wrong with them! lol i will be trying this recipe and i pray it comes out as good as your cookies look! :)
lol What matters is how they taste ;) Good luck! And thank you :)
I never buy cookies from the grocery store for the same reasons, but I admit that I LOVE this style of cookie. I’m so excited to make them at home!
Thanks Nora! I hope you do try them sometime :)
Toootally watching the series. Pffft. My life is food and baseball. BUT, I think Paul and I are the rare fans that just love a good game, doesn’t so much matter who’s in it. Having said that, I grew up watching the A’s and have in recent years fallen in love with the Giants. Since neither of them are in it, I’ll vote for your Red Sox! AND I’ll take a few of these cookies. No problem.
Woohoo best answer and cookies with the game would be fab!
I’m obsessed with these kind of cookies! Looks absolutely delicious, Rachel!
Thanks Marie!
I made your pumpkin chocolate chip cookies with my friend a couple weeks ago and accidentally added the full can of pumpkin! I just added more flour and they came out pretty good, just puffier than I had wanted. I’ve been meaning to retry them but now I want these too.
Haha! Oops! :) It happens but I’m glad you still enjoyed them. Let me know if you try them again or if you try these ones!
I haven’t actually had a soft batch Lofthouse cookie before. Looks like I need to make a batch of these pumpkin ones. I love that they’re so versatile for any holiday :)
Imagine the possibilities :)
I started playing around with some lofthouse copycat recipes about 6 mos ago and finally got them where I wanted them to be and then added PB. I love that you added pumpkin! And your frosting/sprinkles just totally make them even more irresistable!
Frosting and sprinkles make everything better! :)
These look great! They look thick and I’m guessing moist. Love thick cookies, make the desert worth while :)
A soft pumpkin cookie with maple icing sounds incredibly perfect right now. And it’s 9am. LOVE the sprinkles.
Thanks Sally!
I swear, between the Bruins and Red Sox I feel like all I’ve done is watch sports every night for the past 2 weeks. Not that I’m complaining – I’m going to be so bummed when it’s all over! I love lofthouse cookies, a pumpkin version is awesome, especially with sprinkles!
I haven’t been able to stay up. I try and fail every time. I’m just not cut out for staying up late anymore.
wow these look so good! I loft soft cookies, but PUMPKIN soft cookies sound even better! Definitely trying this recipe this week!
Enjoy! :)
Rach, just as I mentioned over at Katrina’s blog, you ROCK! Beautiful cookies, girl. Thank you for guest posting for Katrina and supporting her blog. (I pinned those cookies from here to Kingdom Come on all applicable group boards at Pinterest in support.) You are a good friend. Love that you made a pumpkin version of the Lofthouse cookies as well. They’re so festive with the Fall sprinkles! Thanks for sharing. xo
Thank you Stacy! The extra shares from her post are much appreciated. :)
I adore the simplicity and old-school feel of these cookies. They make me want to curl up in front of a fireplace with a good book :) Did you prefer the vanilla or the pumpkin? I’m torn and don’t know which one to try first!
Thanks so much Beth. I loved them both but probably the pumpkin a bit more. I’d start with that one since it’s an in season flavor :)
I don’t see any eggs listed in this recipe. Is that correct? I’m guessing the pumpkin makes up for the eggs. I’m making these as I type. Can’t wait to try them!
You are correct. The pumpkin replaces the eggs, so this is an egg-free cookie recipe. :) Enjoy!!
Rachael, I have been secretly stalking your site and now I’m happy to finally say hi! Love the site and your recipes! I made your loft house cookies sans pumpkin and they were a hit! I am doing a post on them tomorrow and would love for you to stop by the site!
I made these this afternoon.They were a big hit with my whole family.
So glad to hear it, Bette! Thanks for sharing. :)