Brown Butter Pumpkin Cookies (Print Version)

Soft, chewy cookies with pumpkin, brown butter, and aromatic spices. Great for fall and easy to make.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Wet Ingredients

01 - 1 cup unsalted butter
02 - 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
03 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
04 - 2/3 cup pumpkin purée (not pumpkin pie filling)
05 - 1 large egg yolk
06 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

→ Dry Ingredients

07 - 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
08 - 1 teaspoon baking soda
09 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
10 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
11 - 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
12 - 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
13 - 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
14 - 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

→ Optional Add-Ins

15 - 1 cup semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips
16 - 1/2 cup chopped toasted pecans or walnuts

# How to Make It:

01 - In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt unsalted butter, stirring often until it foams, turns golden, and gives a nutty aroma (about 5 to 7 minutes). Transfer to a mixing bowl and let cool for 10 minutes.
02 - Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
03 - In a large bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, ground nutmeg, and ground cloves until thoroughly mixed.
04 - Add light brown sugar and granulated sugar to cooled brown butter. Whisk briskly until homogenous.
05 - Add pumpkin purée, egg yolk, and vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture. Stir until the mixture is smooth.
06 - Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just incorporated, avoiding overmixing.
07 - If desired, gently mix in chocolate chips and/or chopped toasted pecans or walnuts.
08 - Using a cookie scoop or spoon, portion approximately 2 tablespoons of dough per cookie onto prepared baking sheets, spacing them 2 inches apart.
09 - Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until edges are set and centers appear just underdone.
10 - Let cookies rest on baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • Uses everyday pantry ingredients
  • Expertly combines warm seasonal spices and pumpkin for an unbeatable autumn twist
  • Ready in just over half an hour from start to finish
  • Perfect as a snack dessert or edible gift for loved ones
02 -
  • Packed with all the cozy flavors of fall thanks to brown butter and pumpkin
  • Cookies stay incredibly soft days after baking
  • Fantastic make-ahead dough that handles optional add-ins like chocolate or nuts
03 -
  • Never rush the browning butter step as the nutty depth is worth the extra few minutes
  • Let the dough chill for even more flavor development and minimal spreading
  • Underbake slightly for the perfect soft chewy centers
  • Use the spoon and level method to avoid packing too much flour which keeps the cookies tender
  • Always taste your pumpkin purée before using as flavor can vary brand to brand

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