If you’re searching for a truly irresistible fall treat, these Healthy Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Salted Maple Frosting are your new go-to. Each bite is perfectly pillowy, spiced just right, and capped with a creamy, maple-kissed layer of frosting with a hint of saltiness that makes the pumpkin flavor shine. These cookies are healthier but taste totally decadent—they’re what I crave when I want something special for cozy afternoons or holiday gatherings. If pumpkin pie isn’t doing it for you this season, you’ll want to bake a batch ASAP and see how everyone lights up at first taste!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The secret to these cookies isn’t just in the pumpkin, but the way each ingredient brings something essential to the party. Every item is carefully chosen to enhance the flavor, keep the cookies delightfully soft, or give that all-important frosting its signature sweet-and-salty gloss.
- Pumpkin purée: Brings natural moisture, subtle earthy sweetness, and gorgeous golden color.
- Coconut sugar or light brown sugar: Adds gentle caramel notes and warmth without overwhelming sweetness.
- Coconut oil or unsalted butter (melted and cooled): Keeps cookies ultra-soft and tender, and enhances richness.
- Large egg: Binds everything together and gives a little lift for that perfect chewy crumb.
- Vanilla extract: Rounds out all the pumpkin spice flavor with its classic sweet aroma.
- Whole wheat pastry flour or all-purpose flour: Offers softness and a little wholesome goodness, without compromising texture.
- Baking powder: Gives the cookies a slight rise for that dreamy cakey texture.
- Baking soda: Works alongside baking powder to help the cookies stay fluffy—not flat.
- Ground cinnamon: Essential for cozy spice flavor you expect in a great pumpkin dessert.
- Ground ginger: Brings gentle warmth and depth that balances the sweetness beautifully.
- Ground nutmeg: Just a hint adds intoxicating aroma and autumnal complexity.
- Salt: Naturally intensifies all the other flavors—it’s a crucial finishing touch!
- Pure maple syrup (for frosting): Gives a deep, caramel-like sweetness with unmistakable maple flavor.
- Cream cheese (softened, for frosting): The tangy base for a creamy, rich, well-balanced frosting.
- Butter (softened, for frosting): Adds volume and that classic smoothness you want in frosting.
- Sea salt (for frosting): Lifts and brightens the sweetness, keeping things from becoming one-note.
- Powdered sugar (for frosting): Transforms the frosting into a whipped, luscious finish with great spreadability.
How to Make Healthy Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Salted Maple Frosting
Step 1: Prep Your Baking Sheet
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup a total breeze. It sets you up for picture-perfect cookies every time!
Step 2: Mix Wet Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together your pumpkin purée, coconut sugar, melted coconut oil, egg, and vanilla extract until silky smooth. This blend is your flavor base and will make sure every cookie is soft and flavorful from the inside out.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, gently whisk your flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt. Stirring these spices together before adding to the wet mix creates a uniform flavor and ensures every bite is equally cozy and spiced.
Step 4: Bring it All Together
Add your dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Stir everything together until just combined—stop as soon as you no longer see streaks of flour. This will keep your cookies tender, not tough. If you want, fold in a handful of mini chocolate chips or pecans for an extra twist!
Step 5: Shape and Bake
Use a rounded tablespoon to scoop dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing each cookie about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the edges are set and the tops feel a little springy when pressed. Let them cool completely on a wire rack to finish setting up those irresistibly soft centers.
Step 6: Make the Salted Maple Frosting
For the dreamy frosting, beat together the maple syrup, softened cream cheese, butter, and a pinch of sea salt until smooth and creamy. Slowly mix in the powdered sugar to reach your ideal consistency—it should be thick but easily spreadable.
Step 7: Frost and Finish
Once your cookies are completely cool, spread or swirl the salted maple frosting generously over each one. If you like, finish with a sprinkle of extra flaky sea salt on top for that bakery-fancy look and an extra salty-sweet pop!
How to Serve Healthy Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Salted Maple Frosting
Garnishes
To give your cookies a professional (and delicious) finishing touch, sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt over the frosting while it’s still soft. You can also add a dusting of ground cinnamon or a light grating of nutmeg for even more aroma and cozy vibes.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair perfectly with a big mug of spiced chai latte, a classic cup of black coffee, or even a glass of cold, creamy milk. For dessert spreads, serve alongside apple slices or spiced pecans for that full fall flavor experience.
Creative Ways to Present
Try stacking a few cookies on a pretty plate and finishing with a drizzle of maple syrup for dramatic effect. Or, make mini cookie sandwiches with a dollop of frosting between two cookies. They’re a show-stopping addition to any dessert tray or holiday cookie box!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
To keep Healthy Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Salted Maple Frosting at their best, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. The cookies stay unbelievably moist and the frosting sets up beautifully, so you don’t have to worry about them drying out.
Freezing
If you want to make these cookies ahead, freeze the unfrosted cookies in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to two months. Thaw at room temperature, then frost just before serving to keep everything fresh and flavorful. You can even freeze the frosting separately!
Reheating
If you love a warm, fresh-from-the-oven treat, pop the plain (unfrosted) cookies in the microwave for about 10 seconds. If they’re already frosted, let them come to room temperature before serving—the frosting is best soft and creamy, not melted.
FAQs
Can I make these Healthy Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Salted Maple Frosting dairy-free?
Absolutely! Just use dairy-free butter and cream cheese in the frosting, and opt for coconut oil instead of butter in the cookie dough. The result is just as luscious and satisfying as the original.
Do I have to use coconut sugar?
No, if you don’t have coconut sugar on hand, light brown sugar works beautifully as a substitute. Both ingredients give that lovely depth of flavor and keep the cookies moist and soft.
Can I use homemade pumpkin purée?
Definitely! Homemade pumpkin purée is delicious, just make sure it’s not too watery. If it seems a bit thin, blot it with paper towels or strain it so your cookie dough doesn’t get too wet.
How thick should the frosting be?
Aim for a consistency that holds its shape when you spread it but isn’t so stiff that it tears the cookies. If it’s too thin, add a little more powdered sugar; if it’s too thick, a splash of maple syrup or milk will loosen it up.
How long will these cookies stay soft?
Thanks to the pumpkin, these cookies stay plush and tender for several days when stored properly. In fact, some say they’re even better the next day, as the flavors and texture have time to meld and mellow.
Final Thoughts
If you love pumpkin season as much as I do, these Healthy Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Salted Maple Frosting absolutely belong in your baking rotation. They’re easy, shareable, and loaded with fall flavor—and that luscious frosting just seals the deal. Go ahead and whip up a batch; you and your friends are in for a cozy, unforgettable treat!
Print
Healthy Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Salted Maple Frosting Recipe
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: About 18 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in these delicious Healthy Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Salted Maple Frosting. These flavorful cookies are easy to make and perfect for fall.
Ingredients
Main Cookie Ingredients:
- 1 cup canned pumpkin purée
- ½ cup coconut sugar or light brown sugar
- ¼ cup coconut oil or unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1½ cups whole wheat pastry flour or all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Salted Maple Frosting Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons cream cheese, softened
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare baking sheet: Preheat oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a large bowl, combine pumpkin purée, coconut sugar, melted coconut oil, egg, and vanilla until smooth.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix until just combined.
- Bake cookies: Drop dough onto baking sheet and bake for 10–12 minutes until set.
- Make frosting: Beat together maple syrup, cream cheese, butter, and sea salt. Gradually mix in powdered sugar until creamy.
- Frost cookies: Spread frosting on cooled cookies and sprinkle with sea salt.
Notes
- For dairy-free option, use dairy-free cream cheese and butter in the frosting.
- You can add mini chocolate chips or chopped pecans to the dough for extra flavor.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to keep them soft for days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: ~120
- Sugar: ~10 g
- Sodium: ~90 mg
- Fat: ~5 g
- Saturated Fat: ~2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: ~3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: ~16 g
- Fiber: ~1 g
- Protein: ~2 g
- Cholesterol: ~10 mg
