pumpkin cookies with cream cheese frosting
Fall should have been here by now.
New England always felt like fall at least a week or two before the autumnal equinox. Here in the Rocky mountains, we’re still waiting. This could go on, with 75 degree highs everyday, until a week before Halloween. Then it will snow, and my children will freeze their little fingers and toes when they go trick-or-treating.
I hate being cheated out of fall.
I usually make these pumpkin cookies the first time there’s a nip in the air. It seems like that will never happen. But that doesn’t mean that all the rest of you aren’t in your own homes, curled up next to real fires (as opposed to my make-believe gas fireplace fire), drinking hot apple cider and roasting marshmallows. So if you are one of those people who are already enjoying a cool autumn, this recipe is for you. (But they’re still good, no matter how hot it is.)
pumpkin cookies with cream cheese frosting
For the cookies:
1 cup golden raisins
1 cup (250g) orange juice
1 stick (8 tablespoons, or 110g) unsalted butter at room temperature
1 1/2 cups (330g) sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
1 cup (250g) canned pumpkin
2 1/2 cups (375g) unbleached all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees (180 degrees Celsius). Place raisins in a small bowl and cover with orange juice. Set aside.
2. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar. Stir in egg, vanilla, and ginger. Mix in pumpkin.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
4. Fold dry ingredients into pumpkin mixture. Drain raisins and add to the batter, mixing just enough to incorporate.
5. Drop by two tablespoonfuls onto an ungreased cookie sheet, allowing a one inch space between each cookie. Bake until set and only slightly golden brown around the edges, about 15-18 minutes.
6. Allow to cool completely and frost with cream cheese frosting (recipe follows).
For the frosting:
4 ounces (110g) cream cheese, at room temperature
4 tablespoons (55g) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup (80g) confectioner’s sugar
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon heavy cream (or milk—whatever you have)
1. Cream butter and cream cheese together. Stir in sugar, vanilla, and cream. Use a whisk to break up any lumps.
September 23rd, 2008 at 7:31 pm
this is the recipe for me….I usually make pumpkin bread (my son’s favorite snack) sometimes I mix in choc chips, just because. But I have a hard time making these things when it doesn’t feel cozy/autumn/sweater weather. It seems strange to most but my food choices are based on my weather-mood. Just as soon as I get a sec, I’ll be adding this to my cookie jar-
Thanks for the inspiration!
PS-on a side note, I went to Sur La Table today, do you have one there? Anyway, I was getting a wedding gift but wished I was getting something for me! They carry fantastic variety.
September 23rd, 2008 at 8:11 pm
Unfortunately, I haven’t seen a Sur La Table where I live now, though I often go to the one in Salt Lake City. I love that store, too.
September 23rd, 2008 at 10:57 pm
Such cute photos! Love the shot with the spatula
It’s getting to kind of weather your cookies are perfect for but I wouldn’t minf having some of this right now.
September 24th, 2008 at 5:09 am
Oh, my those look wonderful! I know my oldest would be all over those cookies. I’m marking them to try… maybe this weekend since we are in NJ and have enjoyed some slightly cooler weather lately. Hope you get a chill in the air before the really cold weather sets in!
September 24th, 2008 at 11:28 am
Wow! Those look Yummy! Will have try those out this week. Thanks for sharing!
September 24th, 2008 at 11:38 am
I like to make pumpkin recipes just to make it feel more like fall outside! these are gorgeous!
September 24th, 2008 at 11:58 am
These looked so wonderful, I had to make them right away. They are so very easy and delicious!! I am in NJ, and it is supposed to get chilly, what a perfect fall cookie, I went and bought some spiced cider to go with them… YUMMY!
September 24th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
Ooo, these look good. I really like pumpkin desserts, especially with cream cheese icing, YUM!
The pictures of your “baby” helping are too cute!
~ingrid
September 24th, 2008 at 12:33 pm
I can’t wait to try these out (we don’t have fall weather here in Atlanta yet either). Your helper is adorable! I love the little chubby hands…
September 24th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
I came for the cookies - but can’t leave without saying what a gorgeous little helper!! i can’t wait until my Seven is old enough to “help” me bake!!
susan of http://www.doughmesstic.com
September 24th, 2008 at 2:27 pm
Pumpkin is my favorite in the fall–pumpkin pie, bread, cookies, soup, etc. These look sooooo yummy! Fall is slowly coming to Kansas. We love the cool evenings. Thanks for sharing! You always have such yummy things!
September 24th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
If we waited for the cold t get here before we made our favorite food in Big D, we’d never eat! ha.
75 degrees sounds like Heaven! And your cookies look super delish!
Thanks for the great recipe–looking forward to making them soon in 90 degree weather. ha.
September 24th, 2008 at 4:00 pm
Our favorite local coffee shop makes pumpkin cookies, my parents take my son their to get one for a special treat- I will share this with my my, I think she will enjoy baking these- she makes a mean pumpkin muffin. Thanks for sharing!
September 24th, 2008 at 7:07 pm
Jaime-
I just came across your blog on Facebook and I LOVE, LOVE it!! You are awesome!
I have been needing to be re-inspired in the cooking area, and your recipes and awesome photography are going to make it happen for me:). I am going to link to your site from my own blog. I hope you are well. It sounds like you guys are in UT. We are in NYC- and yes, you are right in your post about the Fall season in the North East, it is beautiful right now! I am going to have to whip up a batch of these pumpkin cookies. BTW loved your post on The Well-Trained Mind. Awesome book. Inspired me to home school my kids this year.
September 24th, 2008 at 9:08 pm
Those look so yummy! I am definitely going to make them sometime. Unfortunately, I will most likely never feel that “nip” in the air. I live in Arizona, and we are still “enjoying” 100 degree days. How’s that for late September? BTW, your kiddies are ADORABLE!
September 24th, 2008 at 10:43 pm
Hi there! Came across your blog via StumbleUpon. I like all the recipes you have posted here, I’m going to have to try some of them! This one in particular - pumpkin is 100% my vice this time of year, normally I go the pumpkin-chocolate-chip-muffin or pumpkin scone route but this is a new one!
Happy blogging
September 25th, 2008 at 8:05 am
I found this via foodgawker. They look wonderful - thank you for sharing.
Your helper is adorable.
September 25th, 2008 at 9:22 am
Your cookies look delicious! My son loves anything pumpkin so I will definitely try these!!!
September 25th, 2008 at 11:30 am
Thank you for this recipe. We live in Rhode Island its nice and chilly out today so me and my son made these this morning. They are so so yummy. Have a feeling they wont last long. Thank you so much for sharing your recipe(s)!
September 26th, 2008 at 1:51 am
Those cookies look FABULOUS, and I’m going to have to make them sometime soon for my son (and okay, I’ll have to have one or three myself! *grin*). Your babe? A DOLL!! *smile* Thanks for sharing the recipe, and for helping me look forward to fall and all it’s wonderful smells!!
September 26th, 2008 at 9:02 pm
[...] of WSFD stumbled upon a blog of cooking recipes this week and left a comment on one of the recipes. Later, Angi received an e-mail from the blog’s owner that thanked her for leaving the [...]
September 27th, 2008 at 8:16 pm
These pumpkin cookies are delish! I offered my 15 year old sone one earlier and he said “mom, you know I don’t care for pumpkin things” but I made him take 1 bite and he said they are “ok”
But later that night I caught him sneaking one from the kitchen 
He then said “ok, mom these are the ONLY pumpkin things I like” 
Thanks for all of the recipes. I will attempt the carmel tommorw.
September 29th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
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September 29th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
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September 29th, 2008 at 2:17 pm
[...] My Salt put up a scrumptious post of a pumpkin cream cheese spread. Yum! That’s like my pumpkin cookies and the frosting all mixed into one! So if you liked those, you’ll love this [...]
October 3rd, 2008 at 10:31 am
A friend of mine made these cookies for me and I was instantly in HEAVEN!!!! Can’t wait to try this recipe out for myself and my family. Thank you for your site:)
October 8th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
These look yummy. Next on my list of things to cook was pumpkin muffins, but maybe I’ll make these instead:-)
October 14th, 2008 at 10:40 am
These look delicious…I think I’m gonna make em today! It’s the perfect 60°autumnal day!
October 17th, 2008 at 9:23 am
hmm these look delicious! no orange juice on hand though… i’m going to give it a whirl with apple juice and see what happens.
October 26th, 2008 at 8:26 pm
Jaime, I love your blog! I show it to multiple people. You have a very professional look about it, and everything always looks so good! When my brother in law saw it, he said, “Man! She has a lucky husband!” Referring to how good all of your food looks. I am also amazed at how often you are able to post! We miss you guys! I love making pumpkin cookies as well. I tried them for the first time last Thanksgiving and had to get the recipe! They are a great holiday treat!
October 27th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
Made this recipe for a holiday party and it was a total hit! Thanks, yum!