chewy maple pumpkin cookies

If you’re looking for a way to capture the cozy essence of fall in your kitchen, these chewy maple pumpkin cookies will do just that. With their sweet and buttery flavor, they bring warmth and comfort to any occasion—be it a busy weeknight dessert or a delightful treat for family gatherings. The combination of maple syrup and pumpkin creates a unique twist that makes every bite feel like a hug in cookie form. Trust me, once you try these chewy maple pumpkin cookies, they’ll become a cherished favorite!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Easy to Prepare: With straightforward steps, even novice bakers can whip these up without stress.
• Perfect for Sharing: These cookies are excellent for gatherings, holidays, or simply enjoying with loved ones.
• Delicious Fall Flavor: The blend of spices and pumpkin captures the essence of autumn in each bite.
• Make-Ahead Friendly: The dough can chill overnight, making it easy to bake fresh cookies whenever you’re ready!
• Chewy Texture: The result is a wonderfully chewy cookie that keeps its softness even days later.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gathering your ingredients is half the fun! These simple and wholesome ingredients will help you create delicious chewy maple pumpkin cookies that everyone will love. Let’s take a look at what you’ll need:

Dry Ingredients

• 2 1/4 c (270g) all purpose flour
• 2 tsp pumpkin or chai spice blend
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt

Wet Ingredients

• 1 c (226g) European style unsalted butter, browned and cool but still liquid
• 1 c (200g) light brown sugar
• 1/3 c (79ml) pure maple syrup
• 1 large egg yolk, room temperature
• 1/2 c (125g) canned pumpkin, blotted
• 2 tsp (10ml) vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp (2.5ml) maple extract, optional

Coating Sugar

• 1/2 c (100g) granulated sugar
• 1/2 tsp pumpkin or chai spice blend

Variations

This recipe is wonderfully flexible! Feel free to play around with different flavors or add-ins based on your preferences. Here are some fun ideas:

• Add Nuts: Toss in some chopped pecans or walnuts for an extra crunch!
• Chocolate Chips: Mix in dark chocolate chips for a rich twist that pairs beautifully with pumpkin.
• Swap Spices: Experiment with ginger or cinnamon instead of the spice blend for a different flavor profile.
• Frosting Option: Top your cookies with a light maple glaze or cream cheese frosting for an indulgent treat.

How to Make chewy maple pumpkin cookies

Step 1: Make the Brown Butter

Start by making brown butter about an hour before you plan to bake. This step adds depth and nuttiness to the flavor of your cookies. Melt the butter in a heavy-bottom saucepan over medium heat and whisk it continuously. Once it begins to foam and develops brown bits at the bottom, remove it from heat and let it cool until it’s room temperature.

Step 2: Prepare the Pumpkin

To ensure your cookies aren’t too watery, it’s important to remove excess moisture from the canned pumpkin puree. Scoop about 1/2 cup onto paper towels laid over a shallow bowl and let it sit while you prepare other ingredients. After a few minutes, squeeze out any extra water before using.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

In another bowl, whisk together the flour, chosen spice blend, baking soda, and salt until well combined. This helps evenly distribute all the dry components throughout your dough.

Step 4: Mix Wet Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, stir together the cooled brown butter with light brown sugar and pure maple syrup until everything is nicely blended. Then add in the egg yolk and mix well before incorporating the blotted pumpkin along with vanilla and optional maple extracts.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures

Gently stir in your dry mixture into the wet mixture until just combined—be careful not to overmix! This will help keep those lovely chewy textures we’re after.

Step 6: Chill the Dough

Cover your cookie dough tightly with plastic wrap and place it in the fridge to chill for at least 8 hours or overnight. Chilling allows flavors to develop fully while also helping achieve that perfect chewy texture when baked.

Step 7: Preheat Oven & Prep Cookie Sheets

When you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Line one or two large cookie sheets with parchment paper so your cookies don’t stick!

Step 8: Roll Cookies in Sugar Coating

Mix together granulated sugar with additional spices used earlier until well combined. Scoop out dough using a cookie scoop then roll each ball in this spiced sugar mixture before placing them on prepared cookie sheets about 2-3 inches apart.

Step 9: Bake

Bake these delightful cookies for about 12-14 minutes. If they puff up more than desired halfway through baking time, give them a gentle bang on the oven rack—this helps flatten them out nicely!

Step 10: Cool & Enjoy!

Let your freshly baked cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 3-5 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack. Then enjoy these chewy maple pumpkin cookies while they’re still warm!

Pro Tips for Making chewy maple pumpkin cookies

Baking can be a delightful adventure, and with these tips, you’ll have the perfect chewy maple pumpkin cookies that everyone will love!

• Brown the butter properly: Make sure to watch your butter closely while browning. This step adds an incredible depth of flavor that makes your cookies extra delicious.

• Chill the dough: Don’t skip the chilling process! Allowing the dough to sit in the fridge lets the flavors meld together and prevents the cookies from spreading too much while baking.

• Use fresh spices: Freshly ground spices can significantly enhance the flavor of your cookies. Consider grinding whole spices for a more robust taste that complements the pumpkin beautifully.

• Adjust sweetness to taste: Before rolling your cookie dough balls in the spiced sugar, taste it. You can always adjust the spice mixture to match your preference for a little extra kick or sweetness.

• Monitor baking time closely: Every oven is different, so keep an eye on your cookies as they bake. They should be golden around the edges but still soft in the center when you pull them out.

How to Serve chewy maple pumpkin cookies

Serving these chewy maple pumpkin cookies is all about enhancing their warm, autumnal vibe. Here are some great ideas to showcase this delightful treat!

Garnishes

• Chopped pecans or walnuts: A sprinkle of chopped nuts adds a lovely crunch and pairs wonderfully with the soft texture of the cookies.
• Drizzle of maple syrup: A light drizzle of pure maple syrup over each cookie creates an extra layer of sweetness and makes them visually appealing.

Side Dishes

• Hot apple cider: The warm, spiced flavors of apple cider complement these cookies perfectly and make for a cozy pairing during fall gatherings.
• Pumpkin spice latte: Dive deeper into fall flavors by serving these cookies with a rich pumpkin spice latte; it’s like a warm hug in a mug!
• Creamy vanilla ice cream: Serve these chewy cookies alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent dessert that contrasts wonderfully with their chewy texture.
• Fruit salad with citrus dressing: A fresh fruit salad can balance out the sweetness of the cookies, bringing brightness and freshness to your dessert table.

Now that you have all these tips and serving ideas, you’re all set for baking up a storm! Enjoy your delightful chewy maple pumpkin cookies!

Make Ahead and Storage

These chewy maple pumpkin cookies are perfect for meal prep! You can make the dough ahead of time or store the baked cookies for a cozy treat whenever you need a sweet pick-me-up.

Storing Leftovers

• Allow the cookies to cool completely before storing.
• Place cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
• For longer freshness, layer parchment paper between cookies to prevent sticking.

Freezing

• To freeze, let the cookies cool completely, then place them in a single layer on a baking sheet.
• Once frozen, transfer the cookies to a freezer-safe bag or container; they’ll last for up to 3 months.
• Alternatively, you can freeze the cookie dough before baking. Scoop the dough onto a baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer to a bag.

Reheating

• When ready to enjoy frozen baked cookies, let them thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
• For a warm treat, reheat in the oven at 350°F (177°C) for 5-7 minutes.
• If reheating from frozen, add an extra minute or two to ensure they warm through.

FAQs

Have questions about making these chewy maple pumpkin cookies? Here are some common inquiries that might help!

Can I use regular butter instead of European style unsalted butter?

Yes! Regular unsalted butter works well too. Just be sure to brown it as instructed for that rich flavor.

How do I know when my chewy maple pumpkin cookies are done?

The cookies should be lightly golden around the edges but still soft in the center. If they puff up too much during baking, gently bang the pan against the oven rack as suggested.

How can I enhance the flavor of my chewy maple pumpkin cookies?

Adding extra spices like cinnamon or nutmeg can elevate their fall flavor. You can also mix in some chopped nuts or chocolate chips if you’re feeling adventurous!

Can I make chewy maple pumpkin cookies without an egg yolk?

If you prefer not to use an egg yolk, consider replacing it with 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce for similar moisture without compromising texture.

Final Thoughts

I hope you enjoy making these chewy maple pumpkin cookies as much as I do! They’re not just delicious but also capture all the warmth and flavors of fall in each bite. Whether you’re sharing them with friends or enjoying them solo with a cup of tea, these treats are sure to bring joy. Happy baking!