If you are searching for a cozy, comforting treat that perfectly combines the warmth of autumn spices with the irresistible sweetness of chocolate, you’re in the right place. This Classic Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe is a delightful little indulgence that brings pumpkin purée and chocolate chips together in a soft, chewy cookie that feels like a warm hug on a chilly day. It’s the kind of recipe that can turn any regular afternoon into a celebration of flavor, easy enough for a busy weeknight but special enough to impress friends and family.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering these ingredients is the first step to creating a batch of cookies that are bursting with rich taste and fall-inspired charm. Each ingredient plays a crucial role, from the sweetness that balances the pumpkin’s earthiness to the spices that bring depth and warmth.
- Unsalted butter, 1/2 cup: Softened to create a tender, moist cookie base with just the right richness.
- Granulated sugar, 1/2 cup: Adds a clean sweetness and helps with that slight crispness on the edges.
- Brown sugar, 1/2 cup, packed: Brings a touch of molasses and moisture for that chewy texture.
- Pumpkin purée, 1/2 cup: The star ingredient, providing moisture, subtle sweetness, and that gorgeous golden color.
- Large egg, 1: Binds all the ingredients together, contributing to structure and softness.
- Vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon: Enhances the cookie’s flavor with a warm, inviting aroma.
- All-purpose flour, 1 1/2 cups: Gives the cookies their shape and chewiness.
- Baking soda, 1 teaspoon: Helps the cookies rise and stay fluffy.
- Ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon: Infuses a classic spiced note that pairs perfectly with pumpkin.
- Ground nutmeg, 1/2 teaspoon: Adds a gentle hint of warmth and complexity.
- Ground cloves, 1/4 teaspoon: Provides a subtle pungent spice that elevates the overall flavor.
- Salt, 1/2 teaspoon: Balances sweetness and enhances all the other flavors.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips, 1 cup: Brings delightful bursts of melty chocolate in every bite.
How to Make Classic Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Pans
Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking. This simple preparation step makes cleanup easier and helps your cookies come out looking perfect.
Step 2: Cream the Butters and Sugars
Using a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This process incorporates air, giving your cookies a tender crumb and a slight lift.
Step 3: Add Pumpkin, Egg, and Vanilla
Mix in the pumpkin purée, egg, and vanilla extract until the batter is smooth and silky. This blend forms the moist, flavorful foundation of your cookies, with the pumpkin adding moisture and a rich, earthy sweetness.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients Separately
In another bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. Combining your dry ingredients separately ensures that the spices and leavening agents are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Step 5: Incorporate Dry Ingredients and Fold in Chocolate Chips
Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet pumpkin mixture, stirring gently until just combined so you don’t overwork the dough. Then fold in the chocolate chips carefully, ensuring every cookie will have pockets of gooey, melty chocolate.
Step 6: Scoop and Arrange the Dough
Drop spoonfuls of cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing each about 2 inches apart. This spacing allows the cookies room to spread slightly without running into each other, ensuring even baking and perfect shapes.
Step 7: Bake Until Golden and Set
Bake your cookies for 10 to 12 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when the edges turn a lovely golden brown but the centers still look just set—not dry. This gives you that irresistible chewy texture with a tender bite.
Step 8: Cool Before Enjoying
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This resting step helps the cookies firm up and makes them easier to handle, plus the cooling helps the flavors fully develop.
How to Serve Classic Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
A simple dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of white chocolate over your pumpkin chocolate chip cookies adds a festive and elegant touch. If you want to enhance the pumpkin spice notes, a tiny sprinkle of cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice right after baking seals in extra warmth.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a warm cup of spiced chai tea, fresh coffee, or a glass of cold milk. If you’re serving them as part of a dessert spread, consider pumpkin or vanilla ice cream alongside for an extra creamy complement that everyone will love.
Creative Ways to Present
For a charming presentation, stack the cookies on a rustic wooden board tied with twine or arrange them in glass jars for gifting. You can also sandwich two cookies with a layer of cream cheese frosting or marshmallow fluff in between for a delectable twist that’s sure to wow your guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your leftover Classic Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. They’ll stay soft and chewy, ready to be enjoyed whenever that sweet craving strikes. Keeping them sealed tight also preserves the spices and moisture.
Freezing
You can freeze the baked cookies by placing them in a single layer on a baking sheet, freezing until solid, then transferring them to a freezer-friendly bag or container. They keep brilliantly for up to 3 months, making it easy to have seasonal treats ready whenever you want.
Reheating
To refresh frozen or stored cookies, pop them in a preheated oven at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for about 5 minutes or microwave them for 10 to 15 seconds. This little reheating trick revives their soft, gooey texture as if they just came out of the oven.
FAQs
Can I use canned pumpkin purée for this recipe?
Absolutely! Canned pumpkin purée works perfectly in the Classic Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe and provides consistent moisture and flavor. Just be sure not to use pumpkin pie filling, as it contains added sugar and spices that could affect the outcome.
What if I don’t have ground cloves?
If you don’t have ground cloves on hand, you can omit them or replace with a pinch of ground allspice or ginger. While cloves give a distinct warmth, the other spices will still maintain the cozy autumn flavor profile.
Can I substitute the chocolate chips with something else?
Definitely! You can swap chocolate chips with butterscotch chips, white chocolate chips, or even chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts for a delightful variation. Each substitution will add its own unique texture and flavor to the cookies.
Are these cookies soft or crunchy?
These cookies are wonderfully soft and chewy with just a slightly crisp edge. The pumpkin purée keeps them moist, making each bite tender and full of that comforting fall flavor we all adore.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can refrigerate the dough for up to 24 hours before baking. This resting period helps the flavors meld beautifully and can make the dough easier to scoop. Just be sure to let it come back to room temperature for a few minutes before baking for the best texture.
Final Thoughts
Now that you have this fantastic Classic Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe at your fingertips, I encourage you to dive into your kitchen and bake up a batch. The balance of tender pumpkin, warm spices, and melted chocolate chips is simply irresistible and perfect for sharing with loved ones or savoring on your own. These cookies bring a little slice of autumn magic into every bite—and trust me, once you try them, they’ll quickly become your new favorite fall treat.
Print
Classic Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Classic Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies combine the warm, spiced flavors of autumn pumpkin with sweet, melty chocolate chips. Soft and chewy with a perfect balance of spices, these cookies are a delightful treat for the fall season or any time you crave a seasonal twist on traditional chocolate chip cookies.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup pumpkin purée
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Add-ins
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which incorporates air and adds to cookie texture.
- Add Pumpkin and Egg: Mix in the pumpkin purée, egg, and vanilla extract until the mixture is well combined, creating a moist batter.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground cloves, and salt to evenly distribute the spices and leavening.
- Mix Dry into Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring just until combined to avoid overmixing which can toughen cookies. Fold in the chocolate chips gently.
- Portion Dough: Drop spoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to give the cookies room to spread.
- Bake: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the cookie edges turn golden and the centers are set but still soft.
- Cool: Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, which helps them firm up and prevents breakage.
Notes
- Ensure the butter is softened but not melted for proper creaming with sugars.
- Use fresh pumpkin purée, not pumpkin pie filling which contains added spices and sugar.
- For extra chewiness, refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes before baking.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- These cookies freeze well; freeze dough balls or baked cookies and thaw at room temperature before eating.
