Chewy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies combine all the cozy flavors of fall with the texture of your favorite chocolate chip cookie. With a fudgy interior, melty chocolate chips, and a hint of cinnamon and ginger, these cookies are perfect for any pumpkin lover. Plus, the dough is quick to prepare and the cookies bake in just 10-12 minutes.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients
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For the dough:
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1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
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¾ teaspoon salt
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½ teaspoon baking powder
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¼ teaspoon baking soda
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1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
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½ teaspoon ground ginger
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¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
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½ cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
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¾ cup brown sugar
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¼ cup granulated sugar
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1 egg yolk
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⅓ cup squeezed pumpkin puree (from about ¾ cup puree)
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1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
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¾ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
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½ cup chopped pecans
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Directions
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Prepare the dry ingredients: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg.
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Combine wet ingredients: In another bowl, melt the butter and whisk in the brown sugar and granulated sugar until smooth. Stir in the pumpkin puree and vanilla extract until well combined.
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Mix dough: Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until the dough comes together. Stir in the chocolate chips and pecans.
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Refrigerate: Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or overnight).
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Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with silicone mats or parchment paper.
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Form cookies: Use a tablespoon-sized scoop to place dough balls onto the prepared sheets. Flatten each dough ball with the palm of your hand or the bottom of a glass into a ¼-½ inch disc.
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Bake: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set but the center is slightly underdone. Allow the cookies to set on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Nutrients (per cookie)
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Calories: 150
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Carbohydrates: 19g
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Protein: 2g
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Fat: 8g
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Saturated Fat: 4g
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Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g
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Monounsaturated Fat: 3g
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Trans Fat: 0.2g
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Cholesterol: 19mg
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Sodium: 97mg
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Potassium: 69mg
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Fiber: 1g
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Sugar: 11g
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Vitamin A: 663 IU
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Vitamin C: 0.2mg
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Calcium: 21mg
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Iron: 1mg
The Appeal of Pumpkin in Desserts
Pumpkin has long been a seasonal staple in fall recipes. With its naturally sweet and earthy flavor, pumpkin brings a comforting richness to baked goods. Whether in pies, cakes, or cookies, pumpkin enhances the texture, providing moisture while complementing a variety of spices. In this cookie recipe, pumpkin puree provides the ideal balance, keeping the cookies soft and chewy while contributing to the seasonal warmth that fall brings.
One of the best things about using pumpkin in cookies is how versatile it is. Its smooth texture pairs wonderfully with chocolate, and the mildness of the pumpkin allows the warm spices to shine through. The combination of pumpkin and chocolate chips in these cookies creates a unique dessert that celebrates the season’s flavors in every bite.
The Importance of Spices in Pumpkin Cookies
The spices used in these cookies—cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg—are the key ingredients that evoke the comforting flavors of fall. Cinnamon is the most common spice found in pumpkin desserts and is known for its sweet and warming properties. It pairs perfectly with the rich, earthy flavor of pumpkin and adds a hint of sweetness without overpowering the overall taste.
Ginger, with its slightly spicy kick, balances the sweetness of the cinnamon and pumpkin, providing a zesty contrast. Nutmeg, though used in smaller amounts, offers a subtle warmth that complements the other spices. Together, these spices create a harmony of flavors that enhances the pumpkin and chocolate chips, giving the cookies a rich, cozy taste that’s perfect for autumn.
The Role of Chocolate Chips in Pumpkin Cookies
While pumpkin and spices are undoubtedly the stars of this cookie recipe, the semi-sweet chocolate chips add an irresistible richness that makes each bite even more indulgent. The slightly bitter chocolate contrasts beautifully with the sweetness of the pumpkin and the spices, creating a balanced flavor profile that isn’t overly sweet.
The melting chocolate chips add a fudgy interior to the cookies, providing that classic gooey texture that makes chocolate chip cookies so irresistible. As the cookies bake, the chocolate chips soften and meld with the dough, creating pockets of melty goodness in every bite. This combination of pumpkin and chocolate is a winning flavor duo that ensures these cookies will be a hit with anyone who tries them.
The Impact of Pecans on Texture and Flavor
The addition of chopped pecans in these cookies adds another layer of texture and flavor that elevates them even further. Pecans are a great choice for pumpkin-flavored baked goods due to their nutty, buttery taste, which complements the pumpkin’s earthiness and the spices. The slight crunch of the pecans contrasts nicely with the chewy cookie base, adding an unexpected, satisfying bite.
Pecans also provide healthy fats and some added nutritional value, making them a perfect complement to the indulgent chocolate chips and pumpkin base. Whether you’re a fan of nuts in cookies or not, the pecans in this recipe enhance the overall experience, giving the cookies an extra depth of flavor that enhances their fall-inspired essence.
The Importance of Chilling the Dough
One of the steps in this recipe that’s key to achieving the perfect texture is chilling the dough. After mixing the ingredients, the dough is covered and refrigerated for at least an hour—ideally overnight. This step allows the fats in the dough to firm up, which prevents the cookies from spreading too much during baking. As a result, the cookies maintain their chewy, dense texture instead of turning flat.
Chilling the dough also gives the flavors more time to meld, allowing the spices and pumpkin to fully infuse the cookie dough. Although it’s tempting to skip the chilling step to save time, doing so will ensure the cookies turn out with the perfect consistency and depth of flavor.
Baking the Cookies to Perfection
Baking these cookies at the right temperature is essential to achieving the ideal texture. The oven should be preheated to 350°F, which is the perfect temperature to bake the cookies quickly while ensuring they remain chewy. The cookies should be baked for 10 to 12 minutes or until the edges are set but the centers are still slightly soft. This allows the cookies to stay chewy on the inside, with just a hint of crispness around the edges.
It’s important to let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes after removing them from the oven. This ensures that the cookies hold their shape and finish setting before being transferred to a wire rack to cool completely.
The Nutritional Value of Chewy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
While these cookies are a treat, they also provide a surprising amount of nutrients. Each cookie contains around 150 calories, which is a reasonable portion for a delicious dessert. The cookies offer a good balance of fats, with 8 grams of total fat, including 4 grams of saturated fat from the butter and chocolate chips. They also provide 19 grams of carbohydrates and 2 grams of protein, making them a relatively balanced indulgence.
What sets these cookies apart nutritionally is their high vitamin A content. The pumpkin puree used in the dough provides a significant amount of vitamin A, which is essential for eye health and overall well-being. With 663 IU of vitamin A per cookie, these cookies offer a tasty way to boost your intake of this important nutrient.
Conclusion: The Perfect Fall Cookie
Chewy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies are the ultimate fall treat, combining the cozy, comforting flavors of pumpkin and spices with the rich, indulgent texture of chocolate chip cookies. The soft and fudgy interior, combined with the melty chocolate chips and crunchy pecans, creates a cookie that’s irresistible to all who try it.
These cookies are perfect for any occasion, from cozy fall afternoons to festive gatherings. They bring together the best of autumn’s flavors in a simple yet delicious cookie form. Easy to make and even easier to enjoy, these chewy pumpkin chocolate chip cookies are sure to become a seasonal favorite in your household.
With their delightful blend of textures and flavors, these cookies offer a perfect balance of sweet and savory that makes them an exceptional treat for pumpkin lovers and chocolate enthusiasts alike. Whether you’re baking for yourself or sharing with friends, these cookies are sure to bring warmth and joy to any fall celebration.