Introduction
The fall season brings a delightful array of flavors, and what better way to celebrate than with homemade cookies that echo the essence of autumn? These pumpkin-spiced cookies are perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a cozy gathering or a festive celebration. With a touch of sweetness and the warm spices of pumpkin pie, they are sure to become a favorite in your recipe collection.
Detailed Ingredients
Cookies:
– 1 stick unsalted butter, softened
– 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
– 1/2 cup brown sugar
– 1/4 cup granulated sugar
– 2 large eggs
– 1 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
– 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
– 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
– 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
– 1 1/2 teaspoons maple extract
– 1/4 teaspoon salt
Icing:
– 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
– 1 tablespoon milk
– 1/2 teaspoon maple extract
– 3/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
Prep Time
2 hours (including chilling time)
Cook Time
8-10 minutes
Total Time
2 hours 10 minutes
Yield
Approximately 24 cookies
To create these delightful cookies, start by creaming together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth in a stand mixer. Incorporate the vanilla extract, maple extract, and eggs, mixing thoroughly.
In a separate bowl, whisk the dry ingredients: flour, baking soda, salt, cream of tartar, and pumpkin pie spice. Gradually fold this mixture into the wet ingredients until just combined. If the dough is sticky, sprinkle in a bit more flour until a nice ball forms.
Wrap the dough in plastic or store it in a zippered bag, making sure to remove excess air, and refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours. This step is essential for achieving the right texture.
Once chilled, preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Roll the dough on a lightly floured surface to the desired thickness (1/4 to 1/8 inch). Use cookie cutters or a glass to cut out shapes, placing them on a prepared baking sheet and ensuring enough space between each cookie.
Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes or until the edges start to brown slightly. Let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a cooling rack to cool completely.
For the icing, whisk the confectioners’ sugar, maple extract, and pumpkin pie spice together. Gradually add milk until you achieve the desired consistency. Once the cookies have cooled, use the back of a spoon to ice them, then allow the icing to set.
These pumpkin-spiced cookies will certainly bring warmth and joy to your kitchen and delight anyone who tries them! Enjoy!
Detailed Directions and Instructions
Step 1: Creaming the Butter and Sugars
Cream the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together in a stand mixer until smooth.
Step 2: Adding Extracts and Eggs
Add the vanilla extract, maple extract, and eggs; mix well until fully combined.
Step 3: Mixing Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cream of tartar, and pumpkin pie spice.
Step 4: Combining Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. The dough should form a ball; if it’s sticky, add a bit more flour.
Step 5: Chilling the Dough
Wrap the dough in plastic wrap or place it in a zippered bag, removing all air. Refrigerate for 2 hours.
Step 6: Preheating the Oven
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
Step 7: Rolling Out the Dough
Roll out the dough on a floured surface to a thickness of 1/4 to 1/8 inch.
Step 8: Cutting Out Shapes
Cut out shapes using cookie cutters or a glass and place them on a baking sheet, leaving an inch of space between each cookie.
Step 9: Baking the Cookies
Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges just begin to brown.
Step 10: Cooling the Cookies
Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the trays for 2-3 minutes, then transfer them to cooling racks to cool completely.
Step 11: Preparing the Icing
For the icing, whisk together the confectioners’ sugar, maple extract, and pumpkin pie spice. Gradually add the milk until you achieve the desired consistency.
Step 12: Icing the Cookies
Use the back of a spoon to ice the cookies, then let them sit until the icing has set.
Notes
Tip for Dough Consistency
If the dough is too sticky, don’t hesitate to add a little more flour to achieve the right texture.
Cooling the Cookies
Properly cooling the cookies before icing is essential to prevent the icing from melting.
Icing Consistency
Adjust the amount of milk in the icing to reach your desired consistency; for thicker icing, use less milk, and for thinner icing, use more.
Storage
Store the iced cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain freshness.
Cook techniques
Creaming Butter and Sugars
This technique involves beating softened butter with sugars until the mixture is smooth and fluffy. It incorporates air into the dough, resulting in cookies with a light texture.
Whisking Dry Ingredients
Whisking together flour, baking soda, salt, cream of tartar, and pumpkin pie spice ensures even distribution of the leavening agents and spices, which contributes to a more uniform rise and flavor in the cookies.
Chilling the Dough
Refrigerating the cookie dough allows the flavors to meld and firms up the fat, making it easier to roll out. This step also helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
Rolling Out Dough
When rolling out cookie dough, ensure an even thickness (between 1/4 to 1/8 inch) for uniform baking. Using a floured surface prevents sticking, allowing for clean, shaped cookies.
Baking
Baking at the appropriate temperature and time (375°F for 8-10 minutes) is crucial. Watch for the edges to start browning, indicating that the cookies are done, while still maintaining a soft center.
Cooling Cookies
Allowing the cookies to cool on the tray for a few minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack helps them firm up, preventing breakage while handling.
Making Icing
Combining confectioners’ sugar, maple extract, pumpkin pie spice, and milk gradually helps achieve the desired consistency for icing cookies, making it easy to spread or drizzle.
Icing Cookies
Using the back of a spoon helps to create an even layer of icing on the cookies, ensuring a nice presentation. Allowing the icing to set ensures it won’t smudge after decorating.
FAQ
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?
Yes, you can use salted butter, but you may want to omit the added salt in the recipe to balance the flavors.
What can I substitute for cream of tartar?
You can substitute cream of tartar with an equal amount of lemon juice or white vinegar, which will provide similar acid for the recipe.
How can I know when the cookies are done baking?
Cookies are done when the edges are lightly browned, and the center appears set but slightly soft. They will firm up as they cool.
Why is my cookie dough sticky?
If your cookie dough is too sticky, it could be due to not enough flour. Adding a bit more flour, a tablespoon at a time, can help until the desired consistency is achieved.
How long can I store the iced cookies?
Iced cookies can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to one week or in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
Conclusion
The combination of warm spices and sweet maple notes in these cookies creates a delightful treat that’s perfect for any occasion. The buttery texture paired with a creamy icing enhances the flavor experience, making these cookies a wonderful choice for gatherings or as a cozy snack at home. Enjoy the deliciousness that comes with every bite!
More recipes suggestions and combination
Spiced Chocolate Chip Cookies
Incorporate chocolate chips into the cookie dough for a sweet and rich contrast to the spices.
Maple Pecan Cookies
Add chopped pecans to the dough for a crunchy texture and extra nuttiness alongside the maple flavor.
Pumpkin Cream Cheese Swirl Cookies
Create a cream cheese filling and swirl it into the cookie dough before baking for a creamy, indulgent twist.
Cinnamon Sugar Dusting
Before baking, sprinkle a mixture of cinnamon and sugar on top of the cookies for an added crunch and sweetness.
Apple Cider Cookies
Substitute part of the butter with apple cider for a fruity undertone that complements the spices beautifully.
