Autumn Pumpkin Snickerdoodles

Pumpkin Pie Snickerdoodles: The Quintessential Fall Cookie Twist!

Embrace the vibrant flavors of autumn with our delightful Pumpkin Pie Snickerdoodles! This recipe offers a sensational fall twist on a beloved classic cookie, promising to become a new family favorite. Infused with rich pumpkin pie spice and a comforting pumpkin essence, these cookies are surprisingly easy to make and deliver an irresistible chewy texture with that signature snickerdoodle tang. If your heart sings for all things pumpkin, you’re in for a treat! Be sure to explore some of our other cherished pumpkin recipes:

The Best Pumpkin Bars: A moist and flavorful classic, perfect for any occasion.
Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Muffins: Light, fluffy, and bursting with cinnamon-sugar goodness.
Cranberry Pecan Pumpkin Bread: A hearty and aromatic loaf, ideal for breakfast or dessert.

These seasonal sensations bring together the best of both worlds: the playful charm of a snickerdoodle and the comforting warmth of pumpkin pie. Get ready to fill your kitchen with the enticing aroma of fall baking!

Discover the Magic of Pumpkin Pie Snickerdoodles

There’s something truly special about a Snickerdoodle. Beyond its whimsical name, this cookie stands out with its characteristic crackled surface, soft and chewy interior, and the delightful tang from cream of tartar, all coated in a comforting cinnamon-sugar embrace. It’s a cookie that’s not only fun to say but absolutely fabulous to eat! Snickerdoodles are also fantastic for involving the kids in the kitchen, making them an ideal after-school snack or a sweet activity for a cozy weekend afternoon.

My quest to create the ultimate fall cookie led me, about six months ago, to the idea of a Pumpkin Pie Snickerdoodle. I started with my tried-and-true Totally Addicting Snickerdoodles recipe as a foundation. Through careful experimentation, I developed a few clever tricks to ensure these pumpkin-infused delights retained the perfect chewy texture and incredible flavor that defines a classic snickerdoodle, while adding that unmistakable taste of pumpkin pie.

The Wonderful World of Snickerdoodles

As an ardent fan of snickerdoodles, my website features a variety of recipes that celebrate this iconic cookie. Each variation brings its own unique character, proving just how versatile and beloved the snickerdoodle truly is:

Mexican Chocolate Snickerdoodles: A spicy and rich twist, combining cocoa with a hint of chili.
White Chocolate Snickerdoodles: Indulgently sweet with creamy white chocolate chips.
Totally Addicting Snickerdoodles: The classic, perfectly chewy recipe that started it all.
White Chocolate Snickerdoodle Latte: A comforting drink inspired by the cookie’s flavors.

Each of these recipes showcases the adaptability of the snickerdoodle, but for fall, nothing quite captures the essence of the season like our Pumpkin Pie Snickerdoodles.

The Secret Ingredient: Where Did the Eggs Go?

When you first glance at the ingredient list for our Pumpkin Pie Snickerdoodles, you might notice something surprising: there are no eggs! This isn’t a mistake or an oversight; it’s a deliberate and essential part of what makes these cookies so uniquely delicious.

In this particular recipe, the pure pumpkin takes on the crucial role of replacing the eggs entirely. My initial experiments involved simply reducing the egg count from my standard favorite Snickerdoodle recipe, but I found that the texture just wasn’t quite right. The cookies lacked the desired chewiness and moistness. It was only by completely eliminating both eggs and increasing the proportion of pumpkin that I achieved the perfect balance of both flavor and that wonderfully soft, chewy texture I was striving for. The pumpkin not only imparts its signature fall taste and beautiful orange hue but also acts as a natural binder and moisturizer, ensuring each bite is soft and satisfying.

Falling in Love with Pumpkin Snickerdoodles

It wasn’t until a few years ago that I truly fell head over heels for Snickerdoodles, but once I did, they quickly became a staple in our home. My boys, especially Reece, absolutely adore them. These Pumpkin Pie Snickerdoodles have not only met but far exceeded their already high expectations, earning rave reviews from even the pickiest cookie connoisseurs in the family!

The mellow, earthy flavor of the pumpkin is beautifully complemented and enhanced by the warm, aromatic notes of pumpkin pie spice. To truly maximize that comforting fall essence, I’ve incorporated pumpkin pie spice not only into the cookie dough itself but also into the traditional cinnamon-sugar coating. This dual application ensures a delightful “punch of spice” in every single bite, making these cookies an unforgettable seasonal treat. It’s this thoughtful layering of flavors that elevates these snickerdoodles from good to absolutely extraordinary, capturing the very essence of autumn in cookie form.

Essential Ingredients for Your Pumpkin Pie Snickerdoodles

Snickerdoodle cookies are universally adored, and these pumpkin pie-inspired variations are simply perfect for ushering in the fall season. To help you whip up a batch of these irresistible cookies this weekend, here’s a detailed look at the ingredients you’ll need. Each component plays a vital role in achieving that signature chewy texture and rich, comforting flavor:

**Butter (softened):** Provides a rich flavor foundation and contributes to the cookies’ tenderness. Ensure it’s softened, not melted, for proper creaming.
**Butter-flavored shortening:** This is a key ingredient for achieving that classic chewy snickerdoodle texture. Shortening has a higher melting point than butter, which helps the cookies spread less and retain their shape and chewiness.
**Granulated Sugar:** Sweetens the dough and helps create the crisp exterior and chewy interior.
**Brown Sugar:** Adds a deeper, molasses-like flavor and additional moisture, further enhancing the chewiness of the cookies.
**Pure Pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling):** The star of the show! It provides natural sweetness, moisture, and its distinctive fall flavor. Crucially, it replaces the eggs in this recipe. You can even make your own pumpkin puree!
**Vanilla Extract:** A staple in almost any cookie recipe, vanilla enhances all the other flavors and adds a touch of warmth.
**All-Purpose Flour:** The structural base of the cookie.
**Cream of Tartar:** This unique ingredient is what gives snickerdoodles their characteristic tangy flavor and contributes to their soft, chewy texture and slightly puffy appearance. Don’t skip it!
**Baking Soda:** A leavening agent that reacts with the cream of tartar to help the cookies rise and spread slightly, contributing to their soft crumb.
**Baking Powder:** Another leavening agent, working in conjunction with baking soda to ensure proper lift.
**Pumpkin Pie Spice:** A blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and sometimes allspice, it delivers that quintessential pumpkin pie aroma and flavor. We use it generously!
**Salt:** Balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavors in the dough.
**Ground Cinnamon:** Used primarily in the classic coating for snickerdoodles, providing warmth and a beautiful aroma.

The combination of these ingredients, especially the duo of butter and butter-flavored shortening, along with the unique leavening properties of cream of tartar and baking soda, creates a cookie that is truly unparalleled. And with the addition of pure pumpkin and ample pumpkin pie spice, you get a taste of autumn in every single bite.

On a personal note, I just realized I used my last can of pumpkin! It’s incredible how quickly I go through it during the fall season. I sincerely hope you’re not getting tired of pumpkin recipes yet, because I have even more delightful pumpkin creations heading your way soon!

More Indulgent Pumpkin Recipes to Savor

The versatility of pumpkin extends far beyond just pies and lattes. It’s a fantastic ingredient that brings moisture, sweetness, and a lovely autumnal warmth to a wide array of baked goods and treats. If you’re as pumpkin-obsessed as I am, you’ll love exploring these other delicious ways to enjoy this seasonal favorite:

Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice: Why buy it when you can make your own superior blend? This recipe allows you to customize the intensity of each spice, ensuring your pumpkin creations are always perfectly flavored.
Slow Cooker Pumpkin Butter: A rich, concentrated spread that’s fantastic on toast, stirred into oatmeal, or as a flavorful addition to glazes and fillings. The slow cooker makes it incredibly easy!
Pumpkin Cheesecake Banana Bread: A marvelous mashup of two beloved quick breads, elevated with a creamy cheesecake swirl. It’s an absolute showstopper for brunch or dessert.
One Bowl Caramel Pumpkin Blondies: These chewy, sweet blondies are incredibly simple to make, requiring just one bowl for mixing. The addition of caramel takes them over the top!
The BEST Pumpkin Bars: A classic for a reason, these moist and tender bars are usually topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting, making them an irresistible fall dessert.

Each of these recipes brings a unique pumpkin experience to your table, perfect for sharing with family and friends throughout the autumn season and beyond.

How To Make Perfect Pumpkin Pie Snickerdoodles: A Step-by-Step Guide

Finished Pumpkin Pie Snickerdoodles ready for serving.

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5 from 1 vote

Pumpkin Pie Snickerdoodles

These Pumpkin Pie Snickerdoodles are a fabulous fall twist on a classic cookie. Bursting with delicious pumpkin pie flavor, they’re an easy-to-make cookie that the whole family will adore for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any autumnal celebration!

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword pumpkin pie snickerdoodles, snickerdoodles, pumpkin cookies, fall baking

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 8 minutes

Total Time 18 minutes

Servings 36 cookies

Calories 125kcal

Author Trish – Mom On Timeout

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter softened
1/2 cup butter-flavored shortening
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup pure pumpkin not pumpkin pie filling make your own!
1 tbsp vanilla extract
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp cream of tartar
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp baking powder
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/4 tsp salt

Sugar Mixture to Roll In

4 tbsp granulated sugar
3 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice

Instructions

**Prepare the Wet Ingredients:** In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, cream together the softened butter, butter-flavored shortening, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
**Incorporate Pumpkin and Vanilla:** Add the pure pumpkin puree and vanilla extract to the creamed mixture. Mix on low speed until thoroughly combined and smooth.
**Combine Dry Ingredients:** In a separate medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, and salt until evenly distributed.
**Mix Wet and Dry:** Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet creamed mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough. Once mixed, cover the bowl and refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes. Chilling is crucial for easy handling and to prevent excessive spreading during baking.
**Preheat Oven:** While the dough is chilling, preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
**Prepare the Rolling Mixture:** In a small, shallow bowl, combine the granulated sugar, additional pumpkin pie spice, and ground cinnamon. Stir well to create your spiced sugar coating.
**Form and Coat Cookies:** Remove the chilled dough from the refrigerator. Roll the dough into small, approximately 1-inch balls. The dough will be slightly sticky, which helps the coating adhere.
**Roll in Sugar Mixture:** Generously roll each dough ball in the prepared spiced sugar mixture, ensuring they are fully coated. Place the coated balls about 2 inches apart on your parchment-lined cookie sheet.
**Bake:** Bake for 8 minutes. The cookies will look soft and slightly puffy, with a crackled surface. They might seem underdone, but this is key to their chewy texture. Do not overbake!
**Cool:** Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the cookies cool on the sheet for two minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire cooling rack to cool completely. This allows them to set without breaking.

Nutrition

Originally published October 7, 2013. This timeless recipe continues to bring joy to countless families every fall!

Explore more delightful pumpkin recipes to brighten your fall season:

Pumpkin Ginger Bars with Maple Glaze: A spiced, moist bar cookie with a decadent maple topping, perfect for holiday gatherings.

Pumpkin Butterscotch Fudge: An incredibly smooth and rich fudge that marries the flavors of pumpkin and butterscotch for an unforgettable treat.

Pumpkin Walnut Oatmeal Raisin Cookies: A wholesome yet indulgent cookie, combining the chewiness of oatmeal with the crunch of walnuts and sweetness of raisins, all infused with pumpkin spice.

For a complete collection of dinner recipes, please visit our dedicated section HERE.
For all dessert recipes, including more sweet indulgences, explore HERE.
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