Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

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This soft Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies recipe makes chewy, tender cookies with the perfect combination of pumpkin, spices, and chocolate!

One of our favorite pumpkin desserts is pumpkin chocolate chip muffins so I decided to make a cookie version. The result is a fabulous combination of chocolate chip cookies and pumpkin muffins! Although they are traditionally made in the fall we love them year-round.

pumpkin chocolate chip cookie ingredients in glass bowls

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies Ingredients

These pumpkin chocolate chip cookies have all of the basic cookie ingredients plus pumpkin puree, spices, and mini chocolate chips.

Butter and Shortening: I like using a combination of butter and shortening in my cookie recipes. Shortening helps the cookies rise more and gives them a light texture while preventing the cookies from spreading too much. On the other hand, butter brings flavor and helps make the cookies crispy.
Granulated Sugar and Brown Sugar: For this recipe, we used some brown sugar in addition to the granulated sugar because it adds a little extra flavor and color. If you prefer, you can choose to use only granulated sugar.
Egg: The egg adds fat and moisture to these cookies as well as provides structure and leavening.
Vanilla Extract: You only need to add a little vanilla extract to make a big difference in your baked goods and be sure to use pure vanilla extract for the best results.
Pumpkin Puree: This recipe uses canned pumpkin. Look for cans of 100% pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling. The extra pumpkin puree can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer to use for another recipe. Try making a pumpkin smoothie or pumpkin spice latte!
Flour: The all-purpose flour provides the structure for the cookies and gives them shape and texture.
Baking Powder and Baking Soda: These are the main leaveners in this cookie recipe and help with the texture.
Spices: These cookies have the perfect blend of ground cinnamon, salt, ground ginger, ground nutmeg, and ground cloves in them!
Chocolate Chips: I used mini semi-sweet chocolate chips because they disperse evenly throughout the batter so that you get a little taste of chocolate in every bite.

chocolate chip pumpkin cookies on a wire rack

How To Make Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cookies From Scratch

Making pumpkin chocolate chip cookies is similar to making pumpkin muffins but instead of scooping the batter into the muffin pan, you scoop it onto a cookie sheet.

Cream the Fats and Sugars: Creaming the butter and shortening with the granulated sugar and brown sugar means that you are beating them together at a medium-high speed to form a well-combined creamy mixture that is light in color and fluffy in texture.
Beat in the Egg and Vanilla: Add the egg and vanilla and continue beating until combined.
Add the Pumpkin Puree: For the remaining ingredients, you’ll want to use a low speed to stir the ingredients in rather than beat them into the mixture. Add the pumpkin puree and stir until it is combined.
Stir in the Dry Ingredients: Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves in a separate bowl before stirring them into the batter for the pumpkin cookies. This will help ensure that the leavening agents and spices are evenly dispersed throughout the batter. Then, stir in the mini chocolate chips.
Scoop the Dough Onto Baking Sheets: I prefer using a cookie dough scoop to form the cookie dough balls because it gives you even amounts of dough each time. This will help the cookies finish baking at the same time.
Bake: Bake the cookies at 350˚F for 8-10 minutes. Once you pull them out of the oven, leave them on the baking sheet for a couple of minutes so they can cool slightly and set. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

a stack of pumpkin chocolate chip cookies

What else can I add to these cookies?

It’s always fun to customize your desserts! If you want to add more to these cookies, here are a few suggestions:

Baking Chips: You can use regular semi-sweet chocolate chips instead of mini ones. Or use dark chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, or white chocolate chips instead.
Nuts: Chopped walnuts or pecans would be delicious in these cookies as well.
Cranberries: Add a cup of dried cranberries to the cookie dough for a pop of color and flavor.
Frosting: You could drizzle them with melted chocolate or powdered sugar glaze. Or top them with cream cheese buttercream or a sprinkle of powdered sugar.

Frequently Asked Questions About This Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Can you freeze pumpkin chocolate chip cookies?

Yes, you can freeze pumpkin chocolate chip cookies. Store them in an airtight container in the freezer with parchment paper between the layers to prevent them from sticking together. Since these cookies have a light texture, they thaw quickly!

What are pumpkin chocolate chip cookies?

Pumpkin chocolate chip cookies are like a combination of pumpkin muffins and chocolate chip cookies. They are light in texture like a muffin but have the shape of a cookie.

Are pumpkin chocolate chip cookies healthy?

Although pumpkin chocolate chip cookies do contain pumpkin puree, they are considered a dessert and can be enjoyed in moderation as part of a healthy diet.

a plate with several pumpkin chocolate chip cookies on it

Want more pumpkin recipes? Try these next:

A homemade Pumpkin Pie is a must at every holiday dinner from Thanksgiving to Christmas! Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

This Pumpkins Cake recipe is so easy to make with a cake mix, pumpkin puree, and pumpkin pie spice! Top with cream cheese frosting for the ultimate treat.

This moist Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread is full of delicious spices and chocolate chips. Better make a double batch because one loaf won’t last long!

Pumpkin Cheesecake Dessert has two layers of smooth, creamy cheesecake with a gingersnap crust. Made in a 9×13 inch pan this cheesecake is made for sharing!