Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies

Oh my gosh, you guys! I just made the yummiest pumpkin oatmeal cookies ever. They smell like fall and cozy hugs in my kitchen.

I love how soft and chewy they are, with little bursts of cinnamon and pumpkin flavor. Honestly, I couldn’t stop sneaking bites while baking.

Imagine grabbing one warm from the oven with a cup of coffee or cocoa. Pure happiness in every bite, I promise.

So, let’s bake these together! I’ll show you how easy it is to make them from scratch.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Perfect for Fall: The combination of pumpkin puree and pumpkin spice gives these cookies the perfect autumn vibe.
• Chewy and Delicious: The oats provide a chewy texture, while the pumpkin adds a touch of moistness and depth of flavor.
• Simple Ingredients: With basic pantry staples and canned pumpkin puree, these cookies come together effortlessly.
• Make-Ahead Friendly: You can easily make the dough ahead of time and bake them when you’re ready, or freeze them for later.
• Customizable Glaze: The glaze adds a touch of sweetness without overwhelming the natural flavors of the cookie.

Required Kitchen Tools

To make these Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies, you’ll need a few basic tools:

• Medium-sized mixing bowls: For combining your wet and dry ingredients.
• Hand or stand mixer: This helps to cream the butter and sugars together, making the dough light and airy.
• Baking sheet: For baking the cookies.
• Cookie scoop: To make sure your cookies are evenly sized.
• Cooling rack: To allow the cookies to cool completely before serving.
• Small saucepan (for the glaze): To heat and combine the ingredients for the glaze.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make these soft and chewy pumpkin oatmeal cookies (exact measurements are in the recipe card below):

For the Cookies:

• Unsalted Butter: 1 cup (226g), softened. It helps create the rich base for the cookies.
• Brown Sugar: 1 cup (200g), firmly packed. Brown sugar adds a deeper, caramel-like sweetness to the cookies.
• Granulated Sugar: ½ cup (100g), for a slight contrast in sweetness and to help with the cookie’s texture.
• Pumpkin Puree: ⅔ cup (160g), this adds the signature pumpkin flavor and moisture.
• Egg Yolks: 2 large egg yolks, which help bind the dough and give it structure.
• Vanilla Extract: 2 teaspoons, to bring out the sweetness and complement the pumpkin and spices.
• All-Purpose Flour: 2 ⅓ cups (291g), forms the base of the dough and helps hold everything together.
• Pumpkin Spice: 2 teaspoons, a perfect mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, and other spices to bring out the warmth of the pumpkin.
• Baking Soda: 1 teaspoon, helps the cookies rise and become light and airy.
• Baking Powder: ½ teaspoon, enhances the fluffiness of the cookies.
• Table Salt: 1 teaspoon, to balance out the sweetness and bring out the flavors.
• Old-Fashioned Oats: 2 cups (160g), providing chewiness and heartiness to the cookies.

For the Glaze:

• Powdered Sugar: 1 ¼ cups (160g), adds sweetness and helps the glaze come together.
• Brown Sugar: 1 tablespoon, for a touch of rich caramel flavor.
• Milk: 1 ½ – 3 tablespoons, to help thin the glaze to the desired consistency.
• Light Corn Syrup: 1 tablespoon, to give the glaze a smooth, shiny finish.
• Vanilla Extract: ¼ teaspoon, for flavor depth.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to ensure your cookies don’t stick and bake evenly.

2. Prepare the Wet Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the unsalted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This should take about 3-4 minutes using a hand or stand mixer. Adding the sugars slowly ensures a smooth, even texture in your dough.

Add in the pumpkin puree, egg yolks, and vanilla extract. Beat these together until well combined. The pumpkin will create a moist dough, and the vanilla will add a hint of warmth.

3. Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, pumpkin spice, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. These dry ingredients will help to build structure in the cookies and balance the sweetness of the pumpkin.

4. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in dense cookies. The dough should be thick and sticky.

5. Stir in the Oats

Fold in the old-fashioned oats. The oats will give your cookies that perfect chewy texture and make them hearty enough to feel satisfying.

6. Scoop and Bake

Use a cookie scoop to portion out the dough onto the prepared baking sheets. Aim for about 1 ½ tablespoons of dough per cookie, spaced about 2 inches apart. These cookies will spread a little, so give them some room to expand.

Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the centers are set. The cookies may still look a little soft in the middle—that’s okay! They’ll firm up as they cool.

7. Let the Cookies Cool

Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps the cookies maintain their shape.

Making the Glaze

While the cookies are cooling, prepare the glaze.

1. Combine the Glaze Ingredients

In a small saucepan, combine the powdered sugar, brown sugar, and milk. Heat over low heat, stirring until the sugars dissolve completely.

Add in the light corn syrup and vanilla extract. Continue stirring until the glaze is smooth and slightly thickened. If it’s too thick, add a little more milk, one teaspoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.

2. Drizzle the Glaze

Once the cookies have cooled, drizzle the glaze over each cookie. I recommend using a spoon or small piping bag to create a beautiful drizzle pattern. Let the glaze set for a few minutes before serving.

Variations for Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies

While these Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies are delicious as-is, there are plenty of fun ways to customize the recipe to your liking:

• Add Chocolate Chips: If you love a little chocolate with your pumpkin, mix in a cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips or white chocolate chips for a rich contrast.
• Nuts: Add chopped walnuts or pecans for an extra crunch and nutty flavor.
• Dried Fruit: Dried cranberries or raisins can bring a chewy texture and a pop of tartness that pairs perfectly with the pumpkin.
• Spices: Feel free to increase the amount of pumpkin spice or add in ground cinnamon or nutmeg if you want more warmth and depth of flavor.
• Chill the Dough: If you want a thicker cookie with a slightly chewy center, chill the dough for 30 minutes to 1 hour before baking.

How to Serve Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies

These cookies are delicious on their own, but they can also be used as part of a fall dessert spread or paired with other comforting treats.

• Pair with a Hot Drink: Serve these cookies alongside a steaming cup of apple cider, coffee, or chai latte for the ultimate cozy fall experience.
• For a Dessert Table: These cookies are perfect for a fall gathering, Thanksgiving dinner, or holiday cookie exchange.
• On Their Own: They’re also great as a snack to enjoy after school, at work, or anytime you’re craving a little sweetness.

Storing Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies

To keep these cookies fresh:

• Room Temperature: Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. They will stay soft and chewy for several days.
• In the Freezer: You can freeze these cookies for up to 3 months. To freeze, place the cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze for 1-2 hours. Then, transfer the cookies to a freezer-safe bag or container. When you’re ready to enjoy them, simply thaw at room temperature for a few hours.

Nutrition Information

Here’s an approximate breakdown of the nutritional content per cookie (based on the recipe making about 24 cookies):

Nutrient	Per Cookie (1 cookie)
Calories	140 kcal
Total Fat	5g
Saturated Fat	3g
Carbohydrates	22g
Fiber	1g
Sugars	14g
Protein	2g
Sodium	75mg

Conclusion

These Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies are an absolute treat for anyone looking to enjoy the flavors of fall in a delicious and easy-to-make dessert. Whether you’re sharing them with family and friends or enjoying them solo with a hot beverage, they’re sure to become a seasonal favorite. The combination of oats, pumpkin, and spice creates a comforting and flavorful bite that captures the essence of autumn.

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