Brown Butter Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Cookies

Highlighted under: Seasonal & Festive

These Brown Butter Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Cookies combine the rich, nutty flavor of brown butter with the warm essence of pumpkin spice, creating the perfect treat for your Thanksgiving gatherings. Soft, chewy, and rolled in cinnamon sugar, these cookies are not only delicious but also a fun way to get kids involved in holiday baking. Add a cozy twist to your dessert table with these festive and easy-to-make cookies that everyone will love!

Rosie Mitchell

Created by

Rosie Mitchell

Last updated on 2025-11-23T13:15:54.652Z

These Brown Butter Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Cookies are the perfect festive treat for your holiday celebrations. Feel free to get creative and add your favorite mix-ins!

The Perfect Fall Treat

As the leaves change color and the air turns crisp, there's nothing quite like the comforting aroma of fresh-baked cookies filling your home. Brown Butter Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Cookies capture the essence of fall with their delightful pumpkin spice and nutty brown butter flavor. They are soft and chewy, making them a perfect treat to warm you up during the cooler months. These cookies not only satisfy your sweet tooth but also evoke a sense of nostalgia and warmth that only autumn can bring.

Thanksgiving is the perfect occasion to showcase these cookies, whether as a dessert or an afternoon snack. Their unique combination of flavors brings a festive twist to the traditional snickerdoodle, and they are sure to impress your guests. With their inviting aroma and beautiful golden hue, these cookies create a warm and inviting atmosphere at any gathering, making them a delightful addition to your holiday celebrations.

A Fun Baking Experience for All

Baking together as a family can be a wonderful way to create lasting memories. These Brown Butter Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Cookies offer a fantastic opportunity for kids to get involved in the kitchen. The process of rolling the dough into balls and coating them in cinnamon sugar is not only fun but also encourages creativity. Children love getting their hands a little messy, and the excitement of waiting for the cookies to bake makes the experience even more enjoyable.

Moreover, this recipe is simple enough for kids to follow with minimal supervision. As they mix the ingredients and roll the dough, they can learn valuable skills in the kitchen. Sharing the joy of baking gives families a chance to bond and create delicious treats together, making the holiday season even more special.

Storing and Enjoying Your Cookies

After you’ve baked these delightful cookies, you might wonder how to store them to maintain their freshness. To keep your Brown Butter Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Cookies soft and chewy, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They can generally last for about a week, though we doubt they’ll stick around that long! If you’d like to preserve them for a longer period, consider freezing them. Simply place the cooled cookies in a freezer-safe bag, where they can last for up to three months.

When you’re ready to enjoy your frozen cookies, simply let them thaw at room temperature or pop them in the microwave for a few seconds to revive their warmth. Whether you serve them warm out of the oven or as a sweet snack later, these cookies are sure to bring smiles to your friends and family, keeping the spirit of the holiday season alive all winter long.

Ingredients

Ingredients

For the Cookies

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, browned
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 cup pumpkin puree
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
  • 1 teaspoon salt

For Rolling

  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cinnamon

Mix well and prepare for baking!

Instructions

Instructions

Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Brown the Butter

In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat until it turns brown and fragrant. Let it cool slightly.

Mix Wet Ingredients

In a large bowl, combine brown butter, sugar, brown sugar, pumpkin puree, eggs, and vanilla. Mix until well combined.

Combine Dry Ingredients

In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, and salt.

Combine All Ingredients

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined.

Roll and Bake

In a small bowl, mix sugar and cinnamon. Roll dough into balls, coat in the cinnamon sugar, and place on the baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until slightly golden.

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.

Understanding Brown Butter

Brown butter, or 'beurre noisette,' is created by gently cooking butter until the milk solids turn golden brown. This process not only adds a rich, nutty flavor to your dishes but also enhances the overall taste of baked goods. When used in these snickerdoodles, brown butter gives the cookies a deeper flavor profile, perfectly complementing the sweetness of the pumpkin puree. Understanding this technique can elevate your baking and transform ordinary recipes into extraordinary treats.

To achieve the perfect brown butter, keep a close eye on it as it melts. Once it bubbles and begins to turn a rich amber color, remove it from the heat and allow it to cool slightly before incorporating it into your cookie dough. This small but important step ensures you capture the full flavor and aroma of brown butter in your baking.

Why Pumpkin Puree Matters

Pumpkin puree is a star ingredient in this cookie recipe, providing not only flavor but also moisture. Its natural sweetness complements the sugars used in the dough while helping to create that desired soft and chewy texture. Beyond deliciousness, pumpkin is packed with nutrients like vitamins A and C, making these cookies a slightly healthier option for holiday treats. Who said you can't enjoy treats with a boost of nutrition?

Using pure pumpkin puree instead of pumpkin pie filling ensures you maintain control over the sweetness and spices in your cookies. If you prefer a bolder pumpkin flavor, you can adjust the amount used, but be mindful that too much puree can alter the cookie's texture. This versatile ingredient not only enhances your cookie but also opens up a world of flavor possibilities in your holiday baking.

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Questions About Recipes

→ Can I freeze the cookie dough?

Yes, you can freeze the cookie dough for up to 3 months. Just make sure to wrap it tightly.

→ What can I substitute for pumpkin puree?

You can use applesauce or butternut squash puree as a substitute.

Brown Butter Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Cookies

These Brown Butter Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Cookies combine the rich, nutty flavor of brown butter with the warm essence of pumpkin spice, creating the perfect treat for your Thanksgiving gatherings. Soft, chewy, and rolled in cinnamon sugar, these cookies are not only delicious but also a fun way to get kids involved in holiday baking. Add a cozy twist to your dessert table with these festive and easy-to-make cookies that everyone will love!

Prep Time20 minutes
Cooking Duration12 minutes
Overall Time32 minutes

Created by: Rosie Mitchell

Recipe Type: Seasonal & Festive

Skill Level: easy

Final Quantity: 24 cookies

What You'll Need

For the Cookies

  1. 1 cup unsalted butter, browned
  2. 1 cup sugar
  3. 1 cup brown sugar
  4. 1 cup pumpkin puree
  5. 2 large eggs
  6. 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  7. 4 cups all-purpose flour
  8. 1 teaspoon baking soda
  9. 1 teaspoon baking powder
  10. 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
  11. 1 teaspoon salt

For Rolling

  1. 1/4 cup sugar
  2. 1 tablespoon cinnamon

How-To Steps

Step 01

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 02

In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat until it turns brown and fragrant. Let it cool slightly.

Step 03

In a large bowl, combine brown butter, sugar, brown sugar, pumpkin puree, eggs, and vanilla. Mix until well combined.

Step 04

In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, and salt.

Step 05

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined.

Step 06

In a small bowl, mix sugar and cinnamon. Roll dough into balls, coat in the cinnamon sugar, and place on the baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until slightly golden.

Nutritional Breakdown (Per Serving)

  • Total Fat: 7g
  • Sodium: 150mg
  • Carbohydrates: 20g
  • Protein: 2g