Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies

Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies

Pumpkin purée and pumpkin spice make these chewy, cake-like cookies the ultimate cozy fall treat. The cookies are great on their own, but a cap of pumpkin spice frosting makes them even better. In keeping with the autumnal theme, the frosting includes a little bit of pumpkin purée, which imparts a creamy orange hue and well balanced flavor. If you don’t keep a pumpkin spice blend on hand, cinnamon is a great substitute.

Yield: About 30 cookies

For the Cookies

½ cup/113 grams unsalted butter, softened

¾ cup/150 grams light brown sugar

¼ cup/50 grams granulated sugar

½ cup/115 grams pumpkin purée

2 teaspoons pumpkin spice

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 teaspoon kosher salt (such as Diamond Crystal)

1½ cups/135 grams old-fashioned rolled oats

1 cup/128 grams all-purpose flour

½ teaspoon baking soda

For the Frosting (optional)

½ cup/113 grams unsalted butter, softened

1 cup/120 grams powdered sugar

1 tablespoon pumpkin purée

1 teaspoon pumpkin spice

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Pinch salt

Heat oven to 350 degrees and line two large rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper. Place your racks in the top and bottom third of the oven.

Prepare the cookies: Using a large bowl and electric mixer, cream the butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, 5 minutes. Mix in the pumpkin purée, pumpkin spice, vanilla and salt until well combined.

Add the oats, flour and baking soda and mix on low speed until moistened, then switch to a flexible spatula to mix just until combined.

Scoop the dough in heaping tablespoons onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between scoops. Use damp fingers to gently press and slightly flatten each portion; they will not spread much.

Bake 14 to 16 minutes or until the cookies are matte and slightly golden on the edges, rotating the pans from front to back and switching racks halfway through. Cool completely on the baking sheets.

While the cookies cool, prepare the frosting (if using): In a medium bowl, combine the butter, powdered sugar, pumpkin purée, pumpkin spice, vanilla and salt. Mix on low with an electric mixer until the sugar is moistened, then adjust speed to medium-high and mix until light and fluffy, scraping the bowl as necessary, about 3 minutes.

Spread about 2 teaspoons of frosting onto each cooled cookie. Store frosted cookies in an airtight container, layering with parchment or wax paper, and keep in the fridge or at room temperature.

TIP: Make your own Pumpkin Spice Blend:

3 Tbsp. ground cinnamon

2 tsp. ground ginger

2 tsp. nutmeg

1 1/2 tsp. ground allspice

1 1/2 tsp. ground cloves

Store the extras in a jar for next time.