Creating Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Cinnamon Frosting is an enjoyable process. Follow these simple steps to ensure perfect results every time:
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup easy.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Add Pumpkin and Egg: Mix in the pumpkin puree, egg, and vanilla extract until combined. This will create a rich, wet mixture.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Do not overmix, as this will affect the texture.
- Scoop the Dough: Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to drop dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake: Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are set and the tops appear slightly cracked.
- Cool the Cookies: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare the Frosting: In a medium bowl, combine powdered sugar, softened butter, milk, cinnamon, and vanilla extract. Beat until smooth and creamy.
- Frost the Cookies: Once the cookies are completely cool, use a knife or spatula to spread a generous amount of frosting on each cookie.