Soft Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

When fall shows up, these pumpkin chocolate chip cookies are the first thing on my baking list. These tried-and-true soft pumpkin cookies were one of the first recipes I created back in the fall of 2008. If you’re craving a chewy pumpkin cookie, start with this simple recipe. They’re so easy that you can make dozens of cookies at once or a single batch. Below, you’ll find ways to swap ingredients or make substitutions to this super simple and best pumpkin chocolate chip cookie recipe!

Do chocolate chips taste good with pumpkin?

I realize that some people strongly oppose mixing pumpkin with chocolate. I’m here to tell you: it’s okay! Mini chocolate chips enhance the taste and texture of these soft pumpkin cookies, but there are more options.

If you prefer no chocolate chips, simply omit them from the recipe. It’s that simple! Or, swap them out for these alternative ingredients.

Replace the chocolate chips

You can do more than just skip the chocolate chips in this recipe. Add in the following ingredients to replace (or combine with) the chocolate chips.

• Chopped walnuts
• White chocolate chips
• Toffee pieces
• Your favorite candy bars

Another way to alter this recipe is to top the cookies with icing. Try this sweet and zesty lemon icing!

Lemon Icing for Cookies

• ¾ cup confectioners sugar
• 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
• Zest of one lemon
• 1 tablespoon coconut or heavy cream
• Drop of vanilla
• Mix well and ice the pumpkin cookies after they’ve cooled to room temperature

Freeze them

Turn these chewy pumpkin cookies into a frozen treat! After baking, freeze the cookies in a freezer bag. Then, fill them with cinnamon or vanilla ice cream for a tasty pumpkin chocolate chip cookie ice cream sandwich.

Add spices

You can turn these into pumpkin spice cookies or add your favorite spices. Depending on the spices you choose, you can also leave in the chocolate chips. Add the following spices, or mix and match to your taste!

• Cinnamon
• Nutmeg
• Allspice
• Cardamom
• Pumpkin pie spice

The perfect soft pumpkin chocolate chip cookie

If you're trying to find the “perfect” pumpkin chocolate chip cookie recipe, these recipe variations will help you find what's right for you.

Some pumpkin cookie recipes result in a fluffy or puffy cookie, similar to a muffin top, while others deliver a flatter pumpkin chocolate chip cookie.

To alter this recipe to one way or the other, use these recipe and ingredient substitutions.

Flat pumpkin chocolate chip cookies

Get a flatter pumpkin cookie by using this recipe alteration. Follow the original recipe, but make these adjustments.

• Increase the butter from ½ cup to ¾ cup
• Reduce the pumpkin puree by half – from one cup to ½ cup
• Increase your baking temperature from 350 to 375 degrees
• Bake for 9-11 minutes

Fluffy pumpkin chocolate chip cookies

For fluffier pumpkin cookie texture, try this recipe variation. I consider these more of a muffin texture but in cookie form.

• Reduce the butter by half to ¼ cup
• Keep the pumpkin ratio the same
• Increase the oven temperature to 375 degrees and bake for 9 minutes

Tips for making the best pumpkin cookies

To get the best homemade pumpkin cookies with the best possible chewy texture, make sure you do the following steps.

• Use only canned pumpkin or homemade pumpkin puree.
• Don’t use pumpkin pie filling—this is a completely different ingredient.
• Don’t overbake the pumpkin cookies. When they’re ready, they may appear slightly under-baked. That’s ok! The cookies will firm up as they cool.
• If freezing, wait until they have completely cooled before putting them into freezer bags or containers.
• Use parchment paper to avoid burnt bottoms. If you’re using a non-stick baking sheet, this is especially important.
• Reduce the oven temperature by 15-25º if you’re baking in high-altitude areas.

With all these options and ingredient substitutes, you're sure to find the right pumpkin cookie recipe. Remember, it's okay to personalize this recipe! Before making changes, start by following the original pumpkin chocolate chip cookie recipe and taking note of what works best.

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