The Best Soft and Chewy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

These soft and chewy pumpkin chocolate chip cookies bring all the comfort of warm autumn spices in a treat you can enjoy any time of year. The pumpkin puree keeps them tender while the chocolate chips melt into every bite, creating a perfect mix of sweetness and warmth. Unlike many pumpkin cookies that turn out cakey, this recipe gives you a true chewy texture with golden edges and soft centers. The dough comes together easily with simple ingredients, making these cookies great for holidays, gatherings, or cozy evenings at home. Each bite is filled with cinnamon, pumpkin, and rich chocolate which makes them feel nostalgic, comforting, and completely satisfying.

Ingredients Needed

Dry Ingredients

• 2 and 1 quarter cups all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 half teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 quarter teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 quarter teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 half teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

• 1 half cup unsalted butter softened
• 3 quarters cup brown sugar packed
• 1 half cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 1 large egg yolk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Mix ins

• 1 and 1 half cups chocolate chips
• 1 half cup chopped pecans or walnuts optional

These ingredients create a soft chewy texture with warm spice and a generous amount of chocolate in every bite.

Step by Step Instructions

Prepare the dry mixture

Place the flour, baking soda, spices, and salt in a bowl and whisk gently until fully combined. This helps the spices mix evenly and keeps the cookie flavor balanced.

Cream the butter and sugars

Add the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar to a large bowl and beat for two to three minutes until light and creamy. This step creates a smooth base that helps the cookies stay soft.

Add the pumpkin and other wet ingredients

Add the pumpkin puree, egg yolk, and vanilla and mix until smooth. Using only the yolk keeps the cookies chewy instead of cakey.

Combine the wet and dry mixtures

Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix on low just until the flour disappears. The dough will be thick and slightly sticky. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies soft.

Fold in the chocolate chips

Add the chocolate chips and nuts if using. Fold them into the dough with a spatula. Make sure the chocolate is spread evenly so each cookie has the right amount of sweetness and melt.

Chill the dough

Cover the bowl and chill the dough for at least thirty minutes. This helps it firm up, hold its shape, and develop a better chewy texture.

Bake the cookies

Preheat the oven to three hundred fifty degrees Fahrenheit and line your baking sheets. Scoop the dough two inches apart and bake for ten to twelve minutes. Let the cookies rest for five minutes before cooling on a rack.

Tips for Customizing the Recipe

This pumpkin cookie recipe is easy to customize. You can adjust the spices to make the flavor lighter or deeper and even add a touch of cardamom or allspice for a warm twist. Mix in your favorite chocolate chips or chunks for extra richness or add pecans, walnuts, or pumpkin seeds for a little crunch. A dusting of cinnamon sugar or a drizzle of melted chocolate can make the cookies sweeter while using coconut sugar adds a deeper caramel flavor. The dough also stores well so you can refrigerate it or freeze rolled dough balls and bake them later by adding two extra minutes to the bake time.

Nutritional Information

Each cookie contains approximately one hundred sixty calories with about seven grams of total fat and four grams of saturated fat. They provide around twenty two grams of carbohydrates and about twelve grams of sugar along with roughly two grams of protein. These values can vary slightly depending on cookie size and ingredient brands but they give a clear general idea of the nutritional content.

Serving Suggestions

These soft and chewy pumpkin chocolate chip cookies taste amazing warm from the oven when the chocolate is melted and the texture is extra comforting. They are just as delicious at room temperature when the flavors settle and become even richer. You can enjoy them with a glass of milk, a warm cup of coffee, chai tea, or spiced hot chocolate. For a more indulgent treat, crumble them over ice cream or layer them in a parfait with whipped cream. They also make great lunchbox snacks, party treats, or holiday gifts. You can wrap them individually or place them on a platter and even sprinkle a little cinnamon sugar on top for a nice finishing touch.

Frequently Asked Questions