Description
These Healthy Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Salted Maple Frosting are moist, tender, and richly flavored with pumpkin and warm spices. Naturally sweetened with maple syrup and coconut sugar, and topped with a perfectly balanced salted maple frosting, they offer an indulgent yet wholesome dessert option that stays soft for days. Ideal for fall, cozy snacks, and guilt-free indulgence.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup pumpkin puree (fresh or canned)
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt (room temperature)
- 1/2 cup coconut sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/4 cups whole wheat flour (or gluten-free baking blend for GF option)
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- Pinch of salt
Salted Maple Frosting
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened (or vegan butter for vegan option)
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- Pinch of sea salt
Instructions
- Prepare the Cookie Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine pumpkin puree, Greek yogurt, coconut sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together whole wheat flour, baking soda, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and a pinch of salt.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring just until incorporated. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender and soft.
- Bake the Cookies: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Scoop dough in rounded tablespoons onto the tray, spacing 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are set but centers remain soft.
- Make the Salted Maple Frosting: While cookies cool, beat softened butter, maple syrup, and sea salt until light and fluffy. Adjust sweetness and saltiness as desired.
- Frost and Serve: Once cookies are completely cooled, generously spread or pipe the frosting on top. Serve immediately or store for later.
Notes
- Use fresh or canned pure pumpkin—not pumpkin pie filling—for best results.
- Remove cookies from oven when edges are set but centers are slightly undercooked to retain softness.
- Chill frosting before spreading to help it hold shape and prevent melting.
- Use room temperature ingredients for smooth dough and creamy frosting.
- Experiment with spices like nutmeg or cloves to personalize flavor.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature up to 3 days.
- Freeze unfrosted cookies wrapped individually for up to 3 months; frost after thawing.
- Warm cookies briefly before frosting for a fresh-baked softness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 60mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 10mg