Chewy Pumpkin Sandwich Cookies with Spiced Cream Cheese Frosting: Your Ultimate Fall Treat

Get ready to embrace the cozy flavors of autumn with these irresistible **Pumpkin Sandwich Cookies**! Imagine a soft, chewy pumpkin spice cookie, generously filled with a velvety cinnamon-spiced cream cheese buttercream, all “smushed” together to create the perfect fall treat. This recipe is designed to bring warmth and deliciousness to your kitchen, making it a staple for the season.

If there’s one thing that truly defines the autumn season, it’s the comforting aroma of warm spices blending with the rich, earthy flavor of pumpkin in all kinds of delectable treats! These **Pumpkin Sandwich Cookies** capture everything wonderful about fall in a single bite. You’ll find yourself falling in love with their soft, **fluffy pumpkin cookies**, perfectly complemented by a smooth and tangy **cream cheese frosting**. They are truly the ideal **fall season dessert** to enjoy alongside a warm cup of coffee, a steaming mug of tea, or while snuggled up with a cozy blanket on a crisp evening.

Whether you’re eagerly searching for new **pumpkin recipes** to add to your repertoire or need an easy-to-make dessert that’s impressive enough for any gathering, these cookies are exactly what you need. They’ll make this **time of year** extra special and undeniably delicious, appealing to both seasoned bakers and beginners alike.

More Delicious Pumpkin Recipes to Explore

• Easy Pumpkin Churro Bundt Cake
• Spiced Pumpkin Bundt Cake With Brown Sugar Icing
• The Most Delicious Pumpkin Coffee Cake Cookies
• Best Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll Blondie With Frosting
• Chocolate Chip Cookie Sandwich with Caramel

Why You’ll Fall in Love with This Pumpkin Sandwich Cookie Recipe

• Soft and Chewy Texture: These cookies boast a truly perfect **chewy texture** that melts in your mouth, infused with just the right amount of authentic **pumpkin flavor**. They are designed to be substantial yet tender, making every bite a delight.
• Perfect for Fall: The harmonious blend of fragrant **pumpkin pie spice**, rich **brown sugar**, and decadent **cream cheese frosting** makes these cookies an absolute must-have for the entire **fall season**. They embody the very essence of autumn.
• Simple, Accessible Ingredients: You’ll be delighted to find that you only need a few common pantry staples. Ingredients like pure **pumpkin puree**, creamy **unsalted butter**, and versatile **all-purpose flour** are all it takes to whip up these incredibly delicious cookies without a fuss.
• Luxurious Creamy Filling: The star of the show, the rich and smooth **cream cheese filling**, provides a beautiful, tangy contrast that perfectly balances the sweetness and spiced notes of the soft **pumpkin cookies**. It’s truly what makes these sandwich cookies stand out.
• Make-Ahead Friendly: Planning for a party or just want to enjoy delicious treats throughout the week? These **pumpkin sandwich cookies** are wonderfully convenient. They store exceptionally well in an **airtight container**, meaning you can prepare them a day or two in advance and they’ll taste just as fresh and delightful.

Ingredients for Your Irresistible Pumpkin Sandwich Cookies

Here’s everything you’ll need to create these truly irresistible **pumpkin sandwich cookies**. For the precise measurements and detailed instructions, be sure to check out the full recipe card at the bottom of the page!

• **Pumpkin purée**: This is the heart of your fall cookies, delivering that classic pumpkin flavor and essential moisture. Always double-check to ensure you’re using 100% pure pumpkin, not the pre-spiced pie filling.
• **Unsalted butter (room temperature)**: Provides richness and contributes to the perfect structure for both the cookies and the frosting. Browning a portion of it adds an incredible depth of flavor!
• **Brown sugar**: Adds a delightful sweetness and a subtle molasses flavor that harmonizes beautifully with pumpkin and fall spices.
• **All-purpose flour**: The foundational ingredient for your cookies. Measure it accurately to ensure your cookies remain soft, tender, and never dry.
• **Pumpkin pie spice**: A warming blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and sometimes ginger, which instantly evokes the taste of fall in every bite.
• **Cream cheese**: Forms the tangy, creamy base for your luscious, spiced frosting. Ensure it’s softened for the best texture.
• **Powdered sugar**: Sweetens and thickens the frosting, creating that smooth, luxurious, and pipeable consistency.
• **Vanilla extract**: A classic enhancer that rounds out the flavors of both the cookie dough and the frosting with its warm, aromatic notes.
• **Egg yolk**: Adds richness to the cookie dough and acts as a binder, contributing to the perfect chewy texture.
• **Baking powder**: Gives the cookies a lovely lift, ensuring they turn out soft and delightfully fluffy.
• **Salt**: Crucial for balancing all the sweetness and truly highlighting the complex flavors of the spices.
• **Granulated Sugar (for rolling)**: For that extra sparkle and a hint of sweet crunch on the cookie exterior.
• **Ground Cardamom (optional, for rolling)**: A secret ingredient for an elevated spice blend, highly recommended for an extra layer of warmth.

Ingredient Spotlight: The Secrets to Perfect Pumpkin Cookies

Achieving the perfect texture and flavor in these pumpkin sandwich cookies hinges on a few key ingredients and techniques. Understanding their role can make all the difference:

• **Blotting the Pumpkin Puree**: This step is absolutely critical! Canned pumpkin puree contains a lot of excess moisture, which can lead to cakey or soggy cookies that spread too much. By pressing out this extra liquid with paper towels, you concentrate the pumpkin flavor and ensure your cookies achieve that ideal soft and chewy texture. Don’t skip this!
• **Browned Butter**: While the original recipe calls for “brown butter,” it’s worth highlighting why this simple step elevates the cookies. Browning butter creates a deep, nutty, toasty flavor that adds incredible complexity and richness, perfectly complementing the pumpkin and spices. It’s an extra step that pays off immensely in flavor.
• **Pumpkin Pie Spice Blend**: This isn’t just a generic spice mix; it’s the signature flavor of fall. Using a good quality blend (or making your own) ensures that each cookie is infused with that quintessential autumn warmth. Consider adding an extra pinch of cinnamon or a tiny dash of ginger to your frosting for an even more pronounced spice kick.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Your Pumpkin Sandwich Cookies

Ready to bake? Here’s how to create these delightful **Pumpkin Cookie Sandwiches**. Remember, the complete list of instructions and ingredient quantities can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of the page!

1. **Brown the Butter**: In a medium saucepan, gently melt the butter over medium heat. Swirl the pan occasionally and continue cooking until the butter solids at the bottom turn a beautiful golden brown and emit a rich, nutty aroma—this usually takes about 5-7 minutes. Be vigilant to prevent burning! Once browned, remove from heat and let it cool slightly for 10-15 minutes, ensuring it’s warm but not hot before proceeding.
2. **Prepare Your Pumpkin Puree**: This is a crucial step for perfect cookie texture! While the butter cools, blot your pumpkin puree. Spread the puree evenly on a flat surface, such as a plate or a sheet pan. Place a few layers of paper towel over the top and gently press to absorb the excess liquid. Repeat this blotting process at least five more times until a significant amount of moisture has been removed; you should be left with about 3-4 tablespoons of concentrated pumpkin. Alternatively, you can place the pumpkin puree in the center of a cheesecloth, twist it tightly, and squeeze out the liquid, allowing it to sit for a few minutes before unwrapping.
3. **Combine Wet Ingredients**: In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly whisk together the slightly cooled browned butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar vigorously for 1 ½ minutes until well combined and fluffy. Incorporate the large egg, whisking vigorously for another 45 seconds until the mixture lightens in color and achieves a thick, paste-like consistency. Finally, stir in the pure vanilla extract and your blotted pumpkin puree, whisking for about 1 minute until everything is fully integrated and smooth.
4. **Add Dry Ingredients**: In a separate medium bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, corn starch, ground cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice. Gradually add this **flour mixture** to your wet ingredients. Switch to a **rubber spatula** and gently fold the mixture until *just* combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough cookies.
5. **Form and Chill the Cookie Dough**: Using a **cookie scoop** (approximately 3 tablespoons of dough per cookie), form uniform **dough balls**. Place these dough balls on **ungreased cookie sheets** that have been lined with **parchment paper**, ensuring they are spaced about 2 inches apart. Place the baking sheets with the dough balls into the fridge while your oven preheats.
6. **Preheat Oven & Prepare Rolling Sugar**: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) and ensure your two baking sheets are lined with parchment paper. In a medium shallow bowl, mix together the ¼ cup granulated sugar, ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, and the optional ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom. Set this mixture aside for rolling.
7. **Bake the Cookies**: Once the oven reaches temperature, roll each chilled cookie dough ball in the cinnamon-sugar mixture, coating it evenly. Place them back on the prepared baking sheets and bake for 10-12 minutes. The cookies are ready when their edges are lightly golden and their centers remain soft. If your cookies don’t spread flat enough during baking, you can gently press them down with the bottom of a cup or a spatula immediately after removing them from the oven to create an even, flat surface. Aim for a thickness of about ¼ inch.
8. **Cool Completely**: Allow the baked cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet before transferring them to a **cooling rack**. This step is essential to prevent them from breaking and ensures the frosting won’t melt when applied. While they cool, proceed to make the frosting.
9. **Make the Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting**: In the bowl of an **electric mixer** fitted with the **paddle attachment** (or using an electric hand mixer), beat the softened cream cheese and softened unsalted butter on medium speed for about 2 minutes until light and fluffy. Stop and scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl, then beat for another 2 minutes. With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the powdered sugar, followed by the vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Once combined, increase the speed to medium and beat for 1-2 minutes until the frosting is perfectly smooth and wonderfully fluffy.
10. **Assemble the Sandwiches**: Once the cookies are completely cool, it’s time to assemble! Spread or pipe a generous amount of the **cream cheese frosting** onto the **flat sides** of half of the cooled cookies. If you’re using a **piping bag**, a Wilton tip #1M is highly recommended for creating an even and professional-looking distribution. **Sandwich the remaining cookies** on top, gently pressing to secure them. You’ll want about ¼ inch of frosting in the middle for that perfect balance of cookie to cream.

Expert Tips and Tricks for the Best Pumpkin Cookie Sandwiches

Making these pumpkin sandwich cookies is a joy, and with these helpful tips, you’ll achieve perfect results every time:

• **Thoroughly Blot the Pumpkin Puree**: As mentioned, this is paramount! Excess moisture is the enemy of a chewy cookie. Use several layers of **paper towels** to blot your **pumpkin puree** until most of the liquid is absorbed. This crucial step helps maintain that ideal **chewy, fluffy pumpkin cookies** texture and prevents them from spreading too thin or becoming cakey.
• **Avoid Overmixing the Dough**: Once you **combine the flour mixture** with the wet ingredients, fold gently using a **rubber spatula**. Overmixing develops too much gluten, which can lead to tough, dense cookies instead of the soft, tender ones we’re aiming for. Stop mixing as soon as no dry streaks of flour remain.
• **Don’t Overmix the Frosting**: While you want the frosting to be smooth and fluffy, beating it for too long after adding the powdered sugar can incorporate too much air, making it less stable or potentially grainy. Beat until *just* smooth and light.
• **Measure Flour Correctly**: Always **spoon and level your all-purpose flour** into your measuring cup. Scooping directly from the bag can compact the flour, leading to too much being used, which will result in dry, crumbly cookies.
• **Ensure Room Temperature Ingredients for Frosting**: For the creamiest, smoothest **cream cheese frosting**, it’s essential that both your **cream cheese** and **unsalted butter** are at **room temperature**. This allows them to combine seamlessly without lumps and whip up to a light, airy consistency.
• **Chill Dough if Needed**: If your cookie dough feels too sticky or soft to handle easily, or if you live in a warm environment, pop it in the fridge for 10-15 minutes before rolling. Chilling helps the dough firm up, making it easier to shape and preventing the cookies from spreading too much in the oven, ensuring they stay nice and thick.
• **Bake Until Just Set**: Keep an eye on your cookies! Pull them from the oven when the edges are lightly golden, but the centers still look slightly soft. They will continue to set and firm up on the hot baking sheet as they cool, leading to that perfectly chewy texture. Overbaking will result in dry cookies.
• **Cool Cookies Completely Before Frosting**: Patience is a virtue here! If your cookies are even slightly warm, the **cream cheese frosting** will melt and slide right off, creating a messy situation. Ensure they are completely cool to the touch before assembling.
• **Piping for Perfection**: If you’re using a **piping bag** for the frosting and desire perfectly neat spirals or dollops, fill the bag and then chill it in the fridge for 5-10 minutes. This little trick makes the frosting firmer and much easier to pipe with control, especially if you’re using a tip like a Wilton #1M for a professional finish.

Serving Suggestions & Delightful Variations

These pumpkin sandwich cookies are a delicious treat on their own, but here are some ideas to make them even more special:

• **Pairing**: Serve them with your favorite hot beverage like a pumpkin spice latte, a warm apple cider, or a classic cup of coffee. They also make a fantastic addition to any fall dessert platter.
• **Add a Crunch**: Before sandwiching, roll the edges of the frosted cookies in finely chopped pecans or walnuts for a delightful textural contrast.
• **Chocolate Lover’s Twist**: Mix in some mini chocolate chips to your cookie dough for a pumpkin chocolate chip sandwich cookie. Or, drizzle melted dark chocolate over the finished sandwiches for an elegant touch.
• **Maple Infusion**: For an extra layer of **fall flavor**, add a tablespoon of pure **maple syrup** to your cream cheese frosting. It beautifully complements the pumpkin and cinnamon.
• **Spice it Up**: Experiment with the spices in your cookie dough or frosting. A tiny pinch of ground cloves or allspice can add even more depth to your pumpkin spice blend.
• **Different Frosting Flavors**: While cream cheese is classic, consider a browned butter frosting or a simple vanilla buttercream if you’re looking for a different profile.

Recommended Baking Tools for Success

Having the right tools can make your baking experience much smoother and more enjoyable:

• **Parchment paper**: Essential for lining your baking sheets. It ensures easy cleanup, prevents sticking, and helps your cookies spread evenly for consistent results.
• **Electric mixer or hand mixer**: Crucial for achieving that light, fluffy, and smooth consistency in your cream cheese frosting.
• **Cooling rack**: Allows air to circulate around your cookies, ensuring they cool evenly and prevent them from becoming soggy on the bottom.
• **Cookie scoop**: A game-changer for consistent dough balls, ensuring all your cookies bake evenly and look uniform.
• **Wilton piping tip #1M**: Ideal for creating beautiful, even swirls of frosting for a professional presentation.
• **Baking Sheets**: Sturdy, heavy-duty baking sheets are crucial for even heat distribution, preventing hot spots that can burn your cookies.
• **Rubber Spatula**: Gentle on dough, perfect for folding dry ingredients into wet without overmixing.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Pumpkin Sandwich Cookies

Here are answers to some common questions you might have about making these delicious pumpkin sandwich cookies:

Storing and Freezing Your Pumpkin Sandwich Cookies

Proper storage ensures your delightful **Pumpkin Sandwich Cookies** stay fresh and delicious for as long as possible:

Storage

To store your assembled **Pumpkin Sandwich Cookies**, place them in an **airtight container**. They will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For optimal texture and flavor, it’s best to allow them to come to room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before serving. If you haven’t frosted them yet, the unfrosted cookies can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2-3 days.

Freezing

For longer preservation, these cookies freeze beautifully! You have a couple of options:

• **Unfrosted Cookies**: Bake the cookies as directed and let them cool completely. Once cool, arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze for about an hour until firm. Then, transfer the frozen cookies to a freezer-safe bag or **airtight container**, separating layers with parchment paper. They will keep for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before frosting and serving.
• **Assembled Sandwich Cookies**: For maximum convenience, you can freeze the finished **Pumpkin Sandwich Cookies**. Individually wrap each sandwich cookie tightly in **plastic wrap**, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or an airtight container. They can be frozen for up to 2 months. To serve, simply allow the cookies to thaw in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature for a few hours.

If you loved these **Pumpkin Sandwich Cookies**, don’t forget to leave a 5-star rating and a comment below! I’d love to hear your feedback or answer any questions you have. Follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok for more fun and delicious recipes!

FOR MORE PUMPKIN RECIPES HERE ARE SOME!

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