Ingredients

2 sticks (1 cup) salted butter, at room temperature

1 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup pumpkin butter

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 egg, at room temperature

2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup cinnamon sugar

6 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature

4 tablespoons salted butter, at room temperature

2 cups powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon salt

Fall sprinkles (for decorating)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350° F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 2: In a bowl, beat together the butter, brown sugar, and vanilla extract until light and fluffy.

Step 3: Mix in the pumpkin butter, then add the egg and combine well.

Step 4: Add the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt, beating until just combined.

Step 5: Roll the dough into tablespoon-sized balls, then roll each ball through the cinnamon sugar.

Step 6: Place the coated dough balls 3 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.

Step 7: Bake for 8 minutes, rotate the pan, then bake for another 3–4 minutes or until edges start to set.

Step 8: Let the cookies cool completely on the baking sheet.

Step 9: Meanwhile, make the frosting by beating together the cream cheese and butter until smooth.

Step 10: Add vanilla extract, powdered sugar, and salt, then beat until light and fluffy.

Step 11: Frost each cooled cookie and decorate with fall sprinkles as desired.

Tips & Variations

Use room temperature ingredients to ensure the dough and frosting come together smoothly.

Substitute pumpkin butter with canned pumpkin mixed with a touch of brown sugar and spices if needed.

For extra flavor, add a pinch of ground cloves or ginger to the dough spices.

Chill the dough for 30 minutes before rolling to make handling easier and improve texture.

Experiment with different sprinkles or chopped nuts for varied decoration and crunch.

FAQs

Can I use pumpkin puree instead of pumpkin butter?

Yes, but pumpkin butter has added sweetness and spices that pumpkin puree lacks. If using puree, you may want to add a bit of brown sugar and cinnamon to mimic the flavor.

How do I prevent the frosting from melting on warm cookies?

Make sure the cookies are completely cooled before frosting. If the cookies are warm, the frosting may soften and melt. You can also chill the frosted cookies briefly to help set the frosting.