Pumpkin Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies: A Fall Baking Delight

Fall is in the air, and that means it’s time to embrace all things pumpkin! These Pumpkin Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies are the perfect treat to celebrate the season. They’re soft, chewy, packed with pumpkin spice, and studded with chocolate chips. The addition of oatmeal adds a delightful texture and nutty flavor that complements the pumpkin perfectly. This recipe is easy to follow and yields incredibly delicious cookies that everyone will love. Get ready to fill your kitchen with the warm, inviting aroma of autumn!

## Why You’ll Love These Cookies

* **Perfect Fall Flavor:** The combination of pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, and cinnamon creates a quintessential fall flavor profile.
* **Soft and Chewy Texture:** These cookies are incredibly soft and chewy, thanks to the brown sugar and pumpkin puree.
* **Oatmeal Goodness:** The oatmeal adds a subtle nutty flavor and a slightly chewy texture that elevates these cookies.
* **Chocolate Chip Bliss:** Chocolate chips add the perfect amount of sweetness and melty goodness.
* **Easy to Make:** This recipe is straightforward and doesn’t require any special equipment.
* **Crowd-Pleaser:** These cookies are always a hit with family and friends.

## Ingredients You’ll Need

Before you start baking, gather all your ingredients. Here’s a detailed list:

* **Pumpkin Puree:** 1 cup (not pumpkin pie filling!). Make sure it’s 100% pumpkin.
* **Unsalted Butter:** 1/2 cup (1 stick), softened to room temperature. Softened butter is crucial for a smooth batter.
* **Brown Sugar:** 1/2 cup, packed. Brown sugar contributes to the cookies’ chewy texture and adds a molasses-like flavor.
* **Granulated Sugar:** 1/4 cup. Granulated sugar provides sweetness and helps the cookies spread slightly.
* **Egg:** 1 large egg. The egg binds the ingredients together and adds richness.
* **Vanilla Extract:** 1 teaspoon. Vanilla extract enhances the other flavors in the cookies.
* **All-Purpose Flour:** 1 1/2 cups. Use a level measurement for accurate results. Spoon the flour into the measuring cup and level it off with a knife.
* **Oats:** 1 cup rolled oats (old-fashioned oats). Rolled oats provide a chewy texture and nutty flavor. Quick oats can be used in a pinch, but the texture will be slightly different.
* **Pumpkin Pie Spice:** 1 teaspoon. Pumpkin pie spice is a blend of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves, creating a warm and comforting flavor.
* **Cinnamon:** 1/2 teaspoon. Cinnamon adds a warm and spicy note.
* **Baking Soda:** 1/2 teaspoon. Baking soda helps the cookies rise and gives them a slightly chewy texture.
* **Salt:** 1/4 teaspoon. Salt enhances the other flavors and balances the sweetness.
* **Chocolate Chips:** 1 cup (semi-sweet, milk chocolate, or dark chocolate). Choose your favorite type of chocolate chips! You can even use a combination.
* **Optional: Chopped Nuts:** 1/2 cup (walnuts, pecans, or almonds). Adding chopped nuts provides extra texture and flavor.

## Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these detailed instructions for perfectly baked Pumpkin Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies:

### Step 1: Preheat and Prep

* Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This temperature ensures the cookies bake evenly without burning.
* Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Parchment paper prevents the cookies from sticking and makes cleanup a breeze. You can also use a silicone baking mat.

### Step 2: Cream Together Butter and Sugars

* In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar using an electric mixer (or a sturdy spoon). Beat until the mixture is light and fluffy. This process incorporates air into the batter, resulting in lighter and more tender cookies. It usually takes about 3-5 minutes.

### Step 3: Add Egg and Vanilla

* Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined. Make sure the egg is fully incorporated into the butter and sugar mixture. This ensures a smooth and even batter.

### Step 4: Mix in Pumpkin Puree

* Stir in the pumpkin puree until just combined. Be careful not to overmix at this stage. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in tough cookies.

### Step 5: Combine Dry Ingredients

* In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, oats, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. Whisking ensures that the dry ingredients are evenly distributed, preventing clumps of baking soda or salt in the cookies.

### Step 6: Gradually Add Dry Ingredients to Wet Ingredients

* Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed (or by hand) until just combined. Add the dry ingredients in two or three additions, mixing until just incorporated after each addition. Again, be careful not to overmix.

### Step 7: Stir in Chocolate Chips (and Nuts, if using)

* Stir in the chocolate chips (and chopped nuts, if using) until evenly distributed throughout the dough. Use a rubber spatula or wooden spoon to gently fold in the chocolate chips and nuts.

### Step 8: Drop by Rounded Tablespoons onto Baking Sheet

* Drop rounded tablespoons of cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie. Using a cookie scoop or a tablespoon helps ensure that the cookies are uniform in size, which leads to even baking. You can also roll the dough into balls for a more uniform appearance.

### Step 9: Bake

* Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers are set. The baking time may vary slightly depending on your oven. Keep a close eye on the cookies to prevent them from burning. The cookies should be slightly soft in the center when you remove them from the oven; they will continue to set as they cool.

### Step 10: Cool

* Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This allows the cookies to firm up slightly and prevents them from breaking when you transfer them. Cooling on a wire rack allows air to circulate around the cookies, preventing them from becoming soggy.

## Tips for Perfect Pumpkin Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

* **Use Room Temperature Ingredients:** Softened butter and room temperature eggs are essential for creating a smooth and well-emulsified batter. This ensures that the ingredients combine properly and results in a more tender cookie.
* **Don’t Overmix:** Overmixing the dough can develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in tough cookies. Mix the wet and dry ingredients until just combined.
* **Measure Flour Accurately:** Use the spoon and level method to measure your flour. Spoon the flour into the measuring cup and level it off with a knife. This prevents you from adding too much flour, which can make the cookies dry and crumbly.
* **Chill the Dough (Optional):** Chilling the dough for 30 minutes to an hour before baking can help prevent the cookies from spreading too much in the oven. This will result in thicker, chewier cookies. If you choose to chill the dough, you may need to add a minute or two to the baking time.
* **Use High-Quality Chocolate Chips:** The quality of the chocolate chips can significantly impact the flavor of the cookies. Use your favorite brand of semi-sweet, milk chocolate, or dark chocolate chips.
* **Add a Sprinkle of Sea Salt:** A sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top of the baked cookies enhances the sweetness and adds a touch of sophistication.
* **Store Properly:** Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. To keep them fresh for longer, you can freeze them for up to 2 months. Thaw the cookies at room temperature before serving.

## Variations and Substitutions

* **Nut-Free:** Omit the chopped nuts or use sunflower seeds instead.
* **Vegan:** Substitute the butter with vegan butter, the egg with a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water), and use vegan chocolate chips.
* **Gluten-Free:** Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend and ensure that the oats are certified gluten-free.
* **Spice it Up:** Add a pinch of cayenne pepper for a subtle kick.
* **Add-Ins:** Experiment with different add-ins such as dried cranberries, chopped walnuts, or white chocolate chips.
* **Frosting:** Once cooled, frost the cookies with a simple cream cheese frosting or a pumpkin spice glaze.

## Serving Suggestions

These Pumpkin Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies are delicious on their own, but here are a few serving suggestions to elevate your experience:

* **With a Glass of Milk:** A classic combination that never disappoints.
* **With Coffee or Tea:** The warm spices in the cookies pair perfectly with a hot beverage.
* **As an Ice Cream Sandwich:** Sandwich a scoop of vanilla ice cream between two cookies for a decadent treat.
* **As a Dessert on a Fall-Themed Platter:** Arrange the cookies on a platter with other fall favorites like apple pie, pumpkin bread, and caramel apples.
* **As a Gift:** Package the cookies in a decorative box or bag and give them as a thoughtful gift to friends, family, or neighbors.

## Recipe Card

**Yields:** Approximately 24 cookies
**Prep time:** 15 minutes
**Cook time:** 10-12 minutes

**Ingredients:**

* 1 cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
* 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
* 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
* 1/4 cup granulated sugar
* 1 large egg
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 cup rolled oats (old-fashioned oats)
* 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
* 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
* 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 1 cup chocolate chips (semi-sweet, milk chocolate, or dark chocolate)
* Optional: 1/2 cup chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans, or almonds)

**Instructions:**

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
4. Stir in the pumpkin puree until just combined.
5. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, oats, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt.
6. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
7. Stir in the chocolate chips (and nuts, if using) until evenly distributed.
8. Drop rounded tablespoons of cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie.
9. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers are set.
10. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Enjoy these delicious and easy Pumpkin Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies! They’re the perfect fall treat to share with family and friends.