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Soft Gluten Free Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

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★★★★

4 from 69 reviews

These Soft Gluten Free Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting are a perfect autumn treat, combining the warm flavors of pumpkin pie spice with a tender gluten-free cookie base. Topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting, these cookies are soft, moist, and delightfully spiced, making them an ideal dessert for seasonal celebrations or any cozy occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 cups Gluten Free All-Purpose Flour
  • ¾ teaspoon Xanthan Gum (omit if your flour blend contains it)
  • 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
  • 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
  • ½ teaspoon Fine Sea Salt
  • 2 teaspoons Pumpkin Pie Spice

Wet Ingredients

  • ½ cup Unsalted Butter (1 stick), softened
  • ⅔ cup Light Brown Sugar, lightly packed
  • ⅓ cup Granulated Sugar
  • 1 large Egg
  • 1 tablespoon Pure Vanilla Extract
  • 1 cup Pumpkin Puree

Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 4 oz. Cream Cheese, room temperature
  • ¼ cup Unsalted Butter (½ stick), softened
  • 2 ¼ cups Powdered Sugar
  • ½ teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
  • ½ teaspoon Fresh Lemon Juice

Instructions

  1. Make the Cookies: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the gluten free all-purpose flour, xanthan gum (if using), fine sea salt, baking powder, baking soda, and pumpkin pie spice. Set this mixture aside for later.
  3. Cream Butter and Sugars: Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, add the softened unsalted butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar. Mix on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy, indicating that the sugars are well incorporated.
  4. Add Eggs and Flavorings: Beat in the egg until fully combined. Then mix in the pure vanilla extract and pumpkin puree, stirring until the wet ingredients are thoroughly combined.
  5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet mixture. Mix until fully incorporated, forming a soft dough.
  6. Scoop the Dough: Use a medium cookie scoop or a tablespoon (about 1 ½ tablespoons) to drop dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
  7. Bake the Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 14-16 minutes or until the cookies are set and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just moist crumbs. Remove from oven and let cookies cool on the pans for 10 minutes.
  8. Cool Completely: Transfer the cookies to wire cooling racks and allow them to cool completely before frosting, which is crucial to prevent the frosting from melting.
  9. Make the Cream Cheese Frosting: In the clean bowl of the stand mixer with paddle attachment, beat the room temperature cream cheese and softened butter on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
  10. Add Powdered Sugar and Flavorings: Add powdered sugar, pure vanilla extract, and fresh lemon juice. Mix on low speed until combined, then increase to medium speed and beat for an additional minute to achieve a smooth, creamy frosting.
  11. Frost the Cookies: Using an offset spatula, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over each cooled cookie. Optionally, dust the tops with a sprinkle of cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice for an extra touch of warmth and color.

Notes

  • Ensure cookies are completely cooled before frosting to prevent the cream cheese frosting from melting.
  • If your gluten free flour blend already contains xanthan gum, omit it from the recipe to avoid texture issues.
  • You can substitute pumpkin pie spice with a mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves if desired.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator due to the cream cheese frosting; bring to room temperature before serving for best taste.
  • For a dairy-free version, substitute the butter and cream cheese with suitable non-dairy alternatives.

Keywords: gluten free pumpkin cookies, cream cheese frosting, pumpkin spice cookies, soft pumpkin cookies, fall desserts, gluten free baking

Find it online: https://epicrecipebox.com/soft-gluten-free-pumpkin-cookies-with-cream-cheese-frosting-recipe/