Few treats capture the flavor of fall quite like pumpkin spice cookies—soft, golden, and infused with cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and clove. These cookies embody everything cozy and comforting about the season. But unlike overly sweet bakery versions, this recipe finds balance: real pumpkin purée adds natural sweetness and moisture, while wholesome ingredients give every bite a tender crumb and warm spice finish.
Pumpkin spice has a story all its own. What started as a blend of common pie spices in 18th-century American kitchens evolved into a cultural phenomenon—appearing in lattes, granola, candles, and beyond. In baking, however, it remains timeless. These cookies are a reminder that pumpkin spice, at its best, is about flavor harmony and nostalgia, not excess.
Made with naturally gluten-free ingredients and pantry staples like almond flour, coconut sugar, and pumpkin purée, these cookies deliver the soft texture and fragrant aroma of fall baking without the heaviness of traditional recipes. They’re equally perfect with morning coffee, tucked into lunchboxes, or served warm with a drizzle of glaze on a crisp October afternoon.
How to Make Pumpkin Spice Cookies
Makes 30 cookies
Recipe Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups oat flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ teaspoon fine grain sea salt
- ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- Pinch ground nutmeg
- 1 ¾ cups raw walnuts or pecans
- 6 tablespoons unrefined coconut oil
- ¼ cup 100% pure maple syrup
- 10 tablespoons coconut sugar or brown sugar
- 1 cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
- 2 cups old fashioned rolled oats
- 1 cup unsulphured raisins or vegan chocolate chips
Recipe Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
- If you need to make oat flour, place 1 ¾ cups rolled oats in a food processor and process until powdery. Place oat flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg in a large mixing bowl and whisk together.
- Place walnuts in a food processor and blend into a fine meal. Add oil, maple syrup, coconut sugar and pumpkin and process until mixture has the consistency of natural nut butter.
- Stir walnut mixture into flour mixture. Fold in 2 cups rolled oats and the raisins.
- Use a 1 ¾ -inch ice cream scooper to form dough into balls, and place on baking sheets (you can fit 12 on a sheet). Flatten cookies slightly with a damp hand.
- Bake 13 to 15 minutes or until cookies begin to brown and tops look dry.
- Cool a few minutes and then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
Pumpkin Spice Cookies Nutrition Facts
*Estimated per cookie (recipe yields 30 cookies). Based strictly on Thrive Market’s ingredient amounts.
| Serving Size | 1 cookie |
|---|---|
| Calories | ≈ 155 kcal |
| Protein | ≈ 3 g |
| Carbs | ≈ 20 g |
| Sugar | ≈ 10 g |
| Fiber | ≈ 2 g |
| Fat | ≈ 8 g |
Pumpkin Spice Cookie Variations & Tips
- Glazed finish: Whisk powdered sugar with a splash of almond milk and drizzle over cooled cookies for a bakery-style glaze.
- Chocolate chip version: Stir in dark or dairy-free chocolate chips for a rich pumpkin-chocolate twist.
- Nutty crunch: Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the batter for extra texture and depth.
- Spice swap: Try adding cardamom or a touch of black pepper for a more complex spice profile.
- Vegan option: Use a flax egg (1 tbsp flaxseed meal + 2.5 tbsp water) in place of a regular egg.
- Storage tip: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature up to 4 days, or refrigerate to extend freshness.
- Make-ahead dough: Chill dough for 30 minutes before baking for thicker, chewier cookies.
Best Pumpkin Spice Cookie Pairings
- Hot coffee or pumpkin spice latte: The natural partner for spiced cookies.
- Chai or cinnamon tea: Enhances the spice notes while keeping the pairing cozy and caffeine-light.
- Apple cider: Warm or chilled, it complements pumpkin spice beautifully.
- Vegan vanilla ice cream: Sandwich between two cookies for an easy fall ice cream sandwich.
- Greek yogurt or coconut yogurt: For breakfast, dip a cookie in yogurt with fruit for a balanced start.
- Dark chocolate squares: A sophisticated pairing that elevates the cookie’s spice sweetness.
When to Make Pumpkin Spice Cookies
- Fall baking weekends: The perfect cookie project when the weather turns crisp.
- Thanksgiving dessert trays: A bite-sized complement to pies and tarts.
- Halloween parties: Seasonal and kid-friendly treat that travels well.
- Friendsgiving gatherings: Shareable, easy to package, and universally loved.
- Autumn picnics or coffee dates: Pair with warm drinks for a cozy outdoor snack.
- Holiday gifting: Package in parchment or tins for homemade gifts that celebrate the season.
Photo credit: Pamela Salzman
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Cookie Recipes, Cookies, Dairy-Free Recipes, Gluten-Free Cookies, Gluten-Free Foods, Gluten-Free Recipes, Pumpkin Recipes, Sugar-Free, Vegan Recipes, Vegetarian RecipesShare this article
Pamela Salzman
Pamela Salzman is a Los Angeles based natural foods cooking instructor and certified holistic health counselor. She teaches private, healthful cooking classes throughout Los Angeles and the South Bay.