These Chewy Maple Pumpkin Cookies are the perfect fall treat! With soft, spiced dough and a crackly sugar topping, they deliver the cozy flavors of autumn in every bite. Made with browned butter, pumpkin, and a touch of maple syrup, these cookies are tender and full of warmth. Whether you’re enjoying them with a cup of tea or serving them at a gathering, they’re sure to bring joy to your day.

Full Recipe: 

Ingredients

• Dry Ingredients

  • 4 ½ cups (540g) all-purpose flour

  • 4 tsp pumpkin or chai spice blend

  • 1 tsp baking soda

  • 1 tsp salt

• Wet Ingredients

  • 2 cups (452g) European-style unsalted butter, browned and cooled

  • 2 cups (400g) light brown sugar

  • ⅔ cup (158ml) pure maple syrup

  • 2 large egg yolks (room temperature)

  • 1 cup (250g) canned pumpkin, blotted

  • 4 tsp vanilla extract

  • 1 tsp maple extract (optional)

• Spiced Sugar Coating

  • 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar

  • 1 tsp pumpkin or chai spice blend

Directions

1. Prepare the Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together flour, spice blend, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

2. Brown the Butter: Melt butter in a light-colored pan over medium heat. Swirl constantly until it turns golden with a nutty aroma (about 5-8 minutes). Pour into a heatproof bowl and cool for 15 minutes.

3. Mix the Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk the browned butter, brown sugar, and maple syrup until smooth. Add egg yolks, blotted pumpkin, vanilla, and maple extract (if using). Mix until smooth.

4. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually fold in the dry ingredients, mixing gently until fully combined. The dough should be soft and sticky.

5. Chill the Dough: Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 8 hours (overnight is best).

6. Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Mix the spiced sugar coating ingredients in a small bowl. Scoop dough into 2-tbsp balls, roll in the sugar, and place on the baking sheets, spaced 2 inches apart. Bake for 11-12 minutes, until edges are set but the centers look soft.

7. Cool and Serve: Let the cookies rest on the sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Allow them to cool for 10 minutes before enjoying.

Nutrients (per cookie, estimated)

• Calories: 170 kcal

• Protein: 2g

• Fat: 8g

  • Saturated Fat: 5g

• Carbohydrates: 24g

  • Sugars: 14g

• Fiber: 1g

• Sodium: 70mg

The Role of Browned Butter in Maple Pumpkin Cookies

Browned butter is a key ingredient in these Chewy Maple Pumpkin Cookies, and it’s one of the elements that make these cookies truly exceptional. When butter is browned, its milk solids caramelize, producing a nutty, deep flavor that enhances the overall taste of the cookie. This process adds a rich, almost toasty flavor to the dough, creating a savory base that pairs beautifully with the sweetness of the pumpkin and maple syrup.

The nuttiness of the browned butter brings out the warm spices in the cookies, such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove, providing a comforting depth that makes each bite feel more indulgent. The aroma of browned butter alone is enough to get anyone in the mood for baking, and its rich, complex flavor gives these cookies an extra layer of sophistication that elevates them from your average fall treat.

Pumpkin: A Fall Favorite with Health Benefits

Pumpkin is another star ingredient in these cookies, offering both flavor and a variety of health benefits. As a low-calorie ingredient, pumpkin adds a touch of natural sweetness to the dough without overwhelming the taste. It’s packed with vitamins, particularly vitamin A, which is essential for healthy vision and immune function. Pumpkin is also a great source of fiber, which promotes digestion and helps to keep you feeling full longer.

In addition to its nutritional benefits, pumpkin provides moisture to the dough, ensuring that these cookies stay soft and chewy even after baking. Its mild flavor complements the spiced elements in the cookie, enhancing the overall taste while still allowing the other ingredients, like the maple syrup and browned butter, to shine through. The use of canned pumpkin, blotted to remove excess moisture, ensures that the dough doesn’t become too runny, resulting in a perfect texture.

Maple Syrup: A Natural Sweetener with a Rich Flavor

Maple syrup is one of the key ingredients that contribute to the distinctive flavor of these cookies. Its rich, slightly caramelized sweetness gives the cookies an authentic fall taste, and it pairs perfectly with the pumpkin and spices. Unlike refined sugar, which can sometimes taste overly sweet or one-dimensional, maple syrup adds a deeper, more complex flavor to the dough. The natural sugars in maple syrup are balanced by its subtle hints of woodiness, which complements the earthy pumpkin and the toasty browned butter.

In addition to its flavor, maple syrup offers some nutritional benefits as well. It contains a range of minerals, including manganese, zinc, and calcium, all of which contribute to overall health. While maple syrup is still a sugar, it is a more natural alternative to processed sugars and provides a richer, more satisfying taste.

Spices: Bringing Warmth and Complexity to the Cookies

The combination of spices used in these Chewy Maple Pumpkin Cookies adds warmth and depth to the flavor profile, capturing the essence of fall. Pumpkin pie spice or chai spice blend is often used to enhance the seasonal flavors, creating a comforting and aromatic experience with every bite. Cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger are key components in these spice blends, and they bring a cozy, familiar taste to the cookies that instantly transports you to autumn.

Cinnamon, in particular, is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and its ability to regulate blood sugar, making it a beneficial addition to the recipe. Nutmeg and ginger, while providing flavor, also offer antioxidants and other health-promoting compounds. The addition of spices not only elevates the taste of the cookies but also contributes to their overall appeal, making them the perfect treat for a chilly fall day.

The Importance of Chilling the Dough

Chilling the dough for these Chewy Maple Pumpkin Cookies is an essential step that helps ensure the perfect texture. By refrigerating the dough for at least 8 hours, or overnight, you allow the flour to fully hydrate and the flavors to meld together. Chilling also helps solidify the fats in the dough, making it easier to scoop and shape the cookies without them spreading too much during baking.

Additionally, chilling the dough prevents the cookies from becoming too flat and ensures that they bake up thick and chewy, with the edges slightly crisping while the centers remain soft. While it may seem like a small step, letting the dough rest in the refrigerator results in a better texture and flavor, making it an important part of the cookie-making process.

The Spiced Sugar Coating: A Sweet Touch

The spiced sugar coating on these cookies is one of the finishing touches that sets them apart. As the cookies bake, the sugar coating creates a crackly, slightly crisp texture that adds an extra layer of sweetness and visual appeal. The sugar also enhances the spiced flavor, giving the cookies an added warmth that complements the other ingredients.

The spiced sugar coating not only looks beautiful but also contributes to the overall flavor experience, providing a satisfying contrast to the soft, chewy interior of the cookie. It’s the perfect way to bring a little extra crunch to each bite while highlighting the autumn spices used in the dough.

Perfect for Every Occasion

These Chewy Maple Pumpkin Cookies are perfect for a variety of occasions. Whether you’re baking them for a cozy weekend treat, bringing them to a fall gathering, or simply indulging in a delicious snack with your afternoon tea, these cookies are sure to please. Their comforting flavors and soft, chewy texture make them the ultimate fall cookie, and the combination of pumpkin, maple syrup, and spices is a timeless classic that never goes out of style.

These cookies also make for an excellent homemade gift. Packaged in a cute box or bag, they’re a thoughtful and delicious present for friends and family during the fall season. Whether for a birthday, holiday, or just because, these cookies are a great way to share the warmth and flavors of autumn with others.

Conclusion: A Fall Favorite You’ll Return to Year After Year

In conclusion, these Chewy Maple Pumpkin Cookies are the perfect embodiment of fall in every bite. The combination of browned butter, pumpkin, maple syrup, and autumn spices creates a rich and comforting flavor that is both satisfying and indulgent. The soft, chewy texture and crackly sugar topping make these cookies irresistible, and the ability to customize the sweetness and spice level makes them a versatile treat for any palate. Whether you’re enjoying them as a cozy snack at home or sharing them at a festive gathering, these cookies are sure to bring warmth, comfort, and joy to your fall season.