These easy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies are a delicious and creative way to enjoy pumpkin. We love making them as a shareable treat during holiday parties! If you are a pumpkin lover, you have to try this pumpkin cookies recipe.
Jump to:
These cookies have just the right amount of pumpkin. The addition of pumpkin pie spice brings warm notes of nutmeg and clove that pair perfectly with the pumpkin and chocolate. We love them during the fall, but sometimes we make them at other times of the year when we have a pumpkin craving.
If you like chocolate chip cookie recipes, you will love Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies and Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookies.
Why You’ll Love This Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cookies Recipe
- A tasty alternative to pumpkin pie: Make these pumpkin cookies in place of pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving dessert this year.
- Easy to make: This is an uncomplicated chocolate chip pumpkin cookie recipe that you can make even if you aren’t a baker.
- Ready in less than 30 minutes: Prep and baking time all together takes less than half an hour!
- No need to chill the dough. You can bake these cookies as soon as you make the dough and scoop them onto the baking sheets. Chilling the dough isn’t required for this recipe.
Ingredients
These are the best pumpkin chocolate chip cookies we’ve ever had. Here are all of the essential ingredients you’ll need to make them yourself!
- Butter: We use unsalted butter in these cookies since we also add some salt to the dough. Leave the butter out to soften before you get started so it mixes easily with the sugars.
- Sugar: We use a combination of white sugar and light brown sugar for the perfect chewy texture and depth of flavor.
- Pumpkin: Make sure to use pure pumpkin, not pie filling, when making these chocolate chip pumpkin cookies since you'll be adding spices.
- Eggs: These are essential for the structure of the cookies. We also recommend that these are room temperature as well for the best consistency of the cookie dough.
- Flour: Simple all-purpose flour is used here, but you can substitute your favorite 1:1 gluten-free blend if you wish.
- Flavorings: We add pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, salt, and vanilla extract to these pumpkin spice chocolate chip cookies. They complement the pumpkin puree and chocolate chips.
- Baking soda and powder: These leavening agents ensure that the cookies aren’t dense and spread properly as they bake.
- Chocolate chips: Ghirardelli makes high-quality chocolate, so we love using their semi-sweet chocolate chips. Feel free to use another brand that you like instead!
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- White chocolate: Swap the semi-sweet chocolate chips for white chocolate chips for a more complex flavor profile.
- Cranberry: Add dried cranberries for a tart flavor and chewy texture.
- Maple: Use maple extract instead of vanilla extract for a deep, rich flavor.
How to Make Pumpkin Cookies with Chocolate Chips
To make these easy pumpkin-flavored cookies, line your baking sheets with parchment paper and preheat the oven to 350° F. This will be very helpful while you prepare the cookie dough.
Step 1: Cream the butter and sugars. Add the butter, white sugar, and brown sugar to a large mixing bowl. Use an electric mixer to cream the butter and sugars together until they are fluffy.
Step 2: Add the eggs. Next, beat in one egg at a time until the mixture is nice and creamy.
Step 3: Stir in the pumpkin and vanilla. Mix in the pumpkin puree and vanilla extract until they are well combined and smooth.
Step 4: Add the dry ingredients. Gradually add the spices, salt, vanilla extract, baking soda, and baking powder. Once they are well mixed, gently stir in the flour until a soft and sticky dough forms.
Step 5: Fold in chocolate chips. Gently fold in the chocolate chips just until they are mixed throughout.
Step 6: Scoop the dough. Use a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop to form the cookies. Be sure to place them 2 inches apart on the baking sheets.
Step 7: Bake and cool. Place the pans into the oven and bake the cookies for 12-14 minutes. The center of each cookie will be soft, and the edges a light golden brown. Allow the cookies to cool completely before serving!
Hint: Use a large spoon to scoop if needed!
We recommend using a cookie scoop if you have one, but a large spoon will work just as well.
Storage Directions
- Storing: Store extra cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. They can also be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. They will thaw out in just a couple of hours on the counter when you're ready to eat them.
- Freezing Cookie Dough: Store unbaked cookies dough balls in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. Flash freeze them for an hour on a lined baking tray and then transfer them to a container with parchment in between the layers to prevent sticking. Thaw the dough overnight in the refrigerator before using.
- Make Ahead: Prepare the pumpkin cookie dough and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before scooping and baking.
Serving Suggestions
- Enjoy one of these delectable cookies with a hot cup of coffee or apple cider.
- Are you looking for Christmas cookie ideas? We love making a variety of cookies during the holiday season. Try this recipe alongside other tasty cookies such as these Homemade Snickerdoodles, Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip Cookies, and Frosted Sugar Cookies.
- Serve this delicious Puff Pastry Chicken Pot Pie for dinner and these pumpkin and chocolate chip cookies for dessert!
Expert Tips
- Double or triple the recipe: Making these for a bake sale or party? Feel free to double or even triple the recipe if needed!
- Dry the pumpkin: Since pumpkin puree holds a lot of moisture, we recommend patting it dry. Spread it over some paper towels to absorb some of the excess moisture before adding it to the dough.
- Cool the cookies on the baking sheet: Allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheets. If you would like to transfer them to a cooling rack, wait a few minutes so they don’t fall apart when you move them.
Recipe FAQs
If the ingredients become too warm, it can result in a stickier dough. Place the bowl of dough in the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes to make it easier to handle. A slightly sticky dough is okay because you will be scooping the dough, not rolling it into balls.
This is likely because the dough was overmixed. When mixing ingredients, only do so until they are just combined, so the result is a soft cookie.
More Delicious Pumpkin Recipes
I would love it if you would leave a 5 Star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating below. Then follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest! Share your favorite recipes or ask questions in my Facebook Group.
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar
- ⅔ cup light brown sugar
- ⅔ cup pumpkin
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1½ tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp baking powder
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat over to 350℉. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
- Cream together butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Add one egg at a time and mix until creamy. Add pumpkin and vanilla extract and mix well.
- Mix in pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, salt, baking soda, and baking powder. Slowly mix in flour until well blended. Carefully stir in chocolate chips.
- Scoop the cookie dough onto the baking sheets using a 2-inch cookie scoop, leaving two inches between each cookie. Bake for 12-14 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies turn a slight golden brown color.
- Cool completely, and enjoy!
Notes
- Double or triple the recipe: Making these for a bake sale or party? Feel free to double or even triple the recipe if needed!
- Dry the pumpkin: Since pumpkin puree holds a lot of moisture, we recommend patting it dry. Spread it over some paper towels to absorb some of the excess moisture before adding it to the dough.
- Cool the cookies on the baking sheet: Allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheets. If you would like to transfer them to a cooling rack, wait a few minutes so they don’t fall apart when you move them.
Nutrition
*All nutrition information provided is automatically calculated and is an estimate and will vary based on ingredients, brands, and changes in cooking methods listed in the recipe. If you need exact numbers on your ingredients, I would recommend calculating them with your prefered nutrition calculator.
Ryan Allen
These pumpking chocolate chip cookies are burtsting with flavor and so soft.