Pumpkin Cookies with Penuche Frosting: A Fall Baking Delight
Autumn’s crisp air and vibrant colors signal the arrival of pumpkin spice season! And what better way to celebrate than with soft, chewy pumpkin cookies generously frosted with a rich, buttery penuche frosting? These cookies are not only delicious but also incredibly satisfying to make. The warm spices, the creamy frosting, and the comforting aroma filling your kitchen will make this your go-to fall baking recipe.
This blog post will guide you through a step-by-step recipe for creating these delectable treats, complete with tips and tricks to ensure baking success. So, preheat your oven, gather your ingredients, and let’s embark on this delightful baking adventure!
Why You’ll Love These Pumpkin Cookies
Before diving into the recipe, let’s explore why these pumpkin cookies with penuche frosting are worth your time and effort:
* **Incredibly Moist and Chewy:** The pumpkin puree adds a natural moisture that keeps the cookies soft and chewy for days.
* **Warm and Spicy Flavor:** A blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves creates a comforting and aromatic spice profile.
* **Rich and Buttery Penuche Frosting:** The penuche frosting, made with brown sugar and butter, is the perfect complement to the pumpkin spice, adding a sweet and nutty flavor.
* **Easy to Make:** Despite the seemingly complex name, this recipe is surprisingly straightforward and easy to follow.
* **Perfect for Fall:** These cookies are the quintessential fall treat, perfect for holidays, gatherings, or simply enjoying with a warm cup of coffee or tea.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Before you begin, make sure you have all the necessary ingredients on hand. This will streamline the baking process and prevent any last-minute scrambling.
For the Pumpkin Cookies:
* **All-Purpose Flour:** 3 cups (360g)
* **Baking Soda:** 1 teaspoon
* **Baking Powder:** 1 teaspoon
* **Ground Cinnamon:** 1 teaspoon
* **Ground Nutmeg:** 1/2 teaspoon
* **Ground Ginger:** 1/2 teaspoon
* **Ground Cloves:** 1/4 teaspoon
* **Salt:** 1/2 teaspoon
* **Unsalted Butter:** 1 cup (2 sticks or 226g), softened
* **Granulated Sugar:** 1 cup (200g)
* **Packed Brown Sugar:** 1 cup (220g)
* **Eggs:** 2 large
* **Pumpkin Puree:** 1 cup (245g), not pumpkin pie filling
* **Vanilla Extract:** 1 teaspoon
For the Penuche Frosting:
* **Unsalted Butter:** 1/2 cup (1 stick or 113g)
* **Packed Brown Sugar:** 1 cup (220g)
* **Milk:** 1/4 cup (60ml)
* **Vanilla Extract:** 1 teaspoon
* **Powdered Sugar:** 3-4 cups (360-480g), depending on desired consistency
* **Pinch of Salt:** (Optional, to balance sweetness)
Equipment You’ll Need
* **Mixing Bowls:** Large and medium sizes
* **Electric Mixer:** Stand mixer or hand mixer
* **Measuring Cups and Spoons**
* **Baking Sheets:** 2-3
* **Parchment Paper or Silicone Baking Mats:** To line the baking sheets
* **Cookie Scoop:** Optional, for uniform cookies
* **Wire Cooling Rack**
* **Saucepan:** For making the penuche frosting
* **Rubber Spatula**
Step-by-Step Instructions: Making the Pumpkin Cookies
Now that you have all your ingredients and equipment ready, let’s get started!
**Step 1: Preheat and Prepare**
* Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Make sure your oven is properly calibrated for accurate baking.
* Line your baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. This will prevent the cookies from sticking and make cleanup easier.
**Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients**
* In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and salt. Whisking ensures that the spices are evenly distributed throughout the flour.
**Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars**
* In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This process should take about 3-5 minutes. Creaming the butter and sugar incorporates air, which contributes to the cookies’ light and airy texture.
**Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla**
* Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then, stir in the vanilla extract.
**Step 5: Incorporate Pumpkin Puree**
* Add the pumpkin puree to the wet ingredients and mix until well combined. The mixture may look slightly curdled at this point, but don’t worry; it will come together when you add the dry ingredients.
**Step 6: Gradually Add Dry Ingredients**
* Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in tough cookies. Mix until the flour is just incorporated and no streaks remain.
**Step 7: Scoop and Bake**
* Use a cookie scoop or spoon to drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie.
* Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown and the centers are set. The baking time may vary depending on your oven, so keep a close eye on the cookies.
**Step 8: Cool Completely**
* Remove the baking sheets from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire cooling rack to cool completely. Cooling the cookies completely is essential before frosting, as the frosting will melt if applied to warm cookies.
Step-by-Step Instructions: Making the Penuche Frosting
While the cookies are cooling, you can prepare the penuche frosting.
**Step 1: Melt Butter and Brown Sugar**
* In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the brown sugar and stir until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is smooth.
**Step 2: Add Milk and Simmer**
* Stir in the milk and bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring constantly. Continue to simmer for 1-2 minutes, or until the mixture is slightly thickened.
**Step 3: Remove from Heat and Cool Slightly**
* Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the mixture cool slightly for about 5-10 minutes. This will prevent the frosting from being too runny.
**Step 4: Add Vanilla and Powdered Sugar**
* Stir in the vanilla extract. Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing well after each addition until the frosting reaches your desired consistency. If the frosting is too thick, add a little more milk, one tablespoon at a time. If the frosting is too thin, add a little more powdered sugar.
* Add a pinch of salt if desired to balance the sweetness.
**Step 5: Frost the Cookies**
* Once the cookies are completely cool, frost them generously with the penuche frosting. You can use a knife, spatula, or piping bag to apply the frosting.
**Step 6: Let Frosting Set**
* Allow the frosting to set for at least 30 minutes before serving. This will prevent the frosting from being too sticky.
Tips and Tricks for Baking Success
Here are some helpful tips and tricks to ensure your pumpkin cookies with penuche frosting turn out perfectly:
* **Use Room Temperature Ingredients:** Make sure your butter and eggs are at room temperature. This will help them incorporate more easily and create a smoother batter.
* **Don’t Overmix the Dough:** Overmixing the dough can develop the gluten, resulting in tough cookies. Mix until the flour is just incorporated.
* **Measure Flour Accurately:** Use a kitchen scale to measure your flour for the most accurate results. If you don’t have a scale, spoon the flour into your measuring cup and level it off with a knife.
* **Use Fresh Spices:** Fresh spices will provide the best flavor. If your spices are old, they may have lost their potency.
* **Don’t Overbake the Cookies:** Overbaking the cookies will make them dry and crumbly. Bake until the edges are lightly golden brown and the centers are set.
* **Cool Cookies Completely Before Frosting:** Frosting warm cookies will cause the frosting to melt and become runny.
* **Adjust Frosting Consistency:** Adjust the amount of powdered sugar and milk in the frosting to achieve your desired consistency.
* **Add Decorations:** Get creative and add decorations to your cookies, such as sprinkles, chopped nuts, or a drizzle of melted chocolate.
* **Store Properly:** Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Variations and Adaptations
Here are some variations and adaptations to customize these pumpkin cookies to your liking:
* **Chocolate Chips:** Add 1 cup of chocolate chips to the cookie dough for a chocolatey twist.
* **Nuts:** Add 1/2 cup of chopped nuts, such as walnuts or pecans, to the cookie dough or sprinkle them on top of the frosting.
* **Dried Cranberries:** Add 1/2 cup of dried cranberries to the cookie dough for a festive flavor.
* **Cream Cheese Frosting:** Substitute the penuche frosting with a cream cheese frosting for a tangy flavor.
* **Maple Syrup:** Add 1-2 tablespoons of maple syrup to the penuche frosting for a maple-flavored frosting.
* **Spice it Up:** Increase the amount of spices for a bolder flavor.
* **Gluten-Free:** Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
* **Vegan:** Substitute the butter with vegan butter, the eggs with flax eggs or applesauce, and the milk with plant-based milk.
Serving Suggestions
These pumpkin cookies with penuche frosting are delicious on their own, but here are some serving suggestions to elevate your experience:
* **Pair with Coffee or Tea:** Enjoy these cookies with a warm cup of coffee or tea for a comforting afternoon treat.
* **Serve with Ice Cream:** Crumble these cookies over vanilla ice cream for a decadent dessert.
* **Gift to Friends and Family:** Package these cookies in a decorative box or tin and gift them to friends and family.
* **Bring to a Potluck:** These cookies are a crowd-pleaser and are perfect for bringing to potlucks and gatherings.
* **Enjoy as a Snack:** These cookies are a satisfying snack any time of day.
Nutritional Information (Approximate)
*Please note that the following is an estimated nutritional information and may vary depending on specific ingredients and serving sizes.*
* **Calories:** 250-300 per cookie
* **Fat:** 12-15g
* **Saturated Fat:** 7-9g
* **Cholesterol:** 30-40mg
* **Sodium:** 100-150mg
* **Carbohydrates:** 35-40g
* **Sugar:** 20-25g
* **Protein:** 2-3g
Conclusion
These pumpkin cookies with penuche frosting are a delightful treat that captures the essence of fall. With their moist and chewy texture, warm spices, and rich, buttery frosting, they are sure to become a family favorite. So, gather your ingredients, follow the step-by-step instructions, and enjoy the process of creating these delicious cookies. Happy baking!