Irresistibly Chewy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
Chewy pumpkin chocolate chip cookies bring autumn’s warmest flavors to your favorite sweet treat.
These delightful morsels combine seasonal spices with rich, decadent chocolate in a perfectly balanced bite.
Soft and tender on the inside, with crisp edges that crackle softly, they represent comfort wrapped in a delicious package.
pumpkin velvety texture creates an incredible depth of moisture that elevates traditional cookie expectations.
Bakers adore how these cookies redefine simple ingredients into something magical and nostalgic.
chocolate chips scattered throughout add delightful bursts of intense sweetness that complement the warm, earthy pumpkin notes.
The resulting combination feels like a cozy sweater for your taste buds.
Chewy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies for Fall Cookie Cravings
Savor Nutty Browned Butter Magic: The recipe transforms ordinary butter into a rich, aromatic ingredient by carefully browning it, creating a deep, complex flavor that elevates the entire cookie experience.
Enjoy Perfectly Balanced Texture Delight: These cookies strike an incredible balance between chewy and soft, with crisp edges and a tender center that makes each bite supremely satisfying.
Master Clever Moisture Management: By carefully removing excess liquid from pumpkin puree and using precise cooling techniques for browned butter, the recipe ensures cookies won't become soggy, resulting in a consistently perfect texture that keeps chocolate chips intact and prevents spreading.
Must-Haves to Make Chewy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
Fat Ingredients:
Butter: Provides rich, nutty flavor through browning process, best when unsalted for controlled saltiness.
Egg Yolks: Adds richness and helps bind cookie ingredients, look for fresh large eggs.
Sugar and Sweeteners:
Brown Sugar, Granulated Sugar: Creates chewy texture and sweet caramel undertones, use fresh and clump-free sugars.
Dry Ingredients:
All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure for cookies, choose unbleached flour for best results.
Pumpkin Spice: Delivers warm seasonal flavor, pre-mixed blend or homemade mix works well.
Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and spread, ensure it's fresh and not expired.
Sea Salt: Enhances overall flavor complexity, fine grain recommended.
Moisture and Flavor Ingredients:
Pumpkin Puree: Adds moisture and subtle pumpkin taste, choose pure pumpkin without added spices.
Vanilla Extract: Deepens flavor profile, pure extract preferred over imitation.
Chocolate Ingredients:
Chocolate Chips, Chocolate Chunks: Provides melty chocolate pockets, semi-sweet or dark chocolate recommended.
Instructions for Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Chocolate Chips
Step 1: Prepare Baking Station
Warm up oven to 350°F
Cover two baking trays with parchment paper
Set trays aside for later use
Step 2: Create Magical Brown Butter
Select large stainless steel pan
Melt butter slowly
Watch for foaming and crackling sounds
Stir occasionally to prevent burning
Remove when butter turns golden and smells nutty
Transfer to glass measuring bowl
Refrigerate for 50-60 minutes
Stir every 10-15 minutes
Ensure butter reaches 75°F liquid consistency
Step 3: Dry Pumpkin Puree
Spread puree on clean plate
Use paper towels to remove excess moisture
Blot repeatedly until puree feels dry
Reduce volume to about ⅓ cup
Step 4: Blend Sweet Mixture
Whisk browned butter with brown and granulated sugars
Mix exactly one minute
Aim for pale wet sand texture
Step 5: Add Moisture Ingredients
Incorporate egg yolks
Pour vanilla extract
Mix in dried pumpkin puree
Blend until completely combined
Step 6: Create Cookie Dough
Fold in
Flour
Pumpkin spice
Baking soda
Sea salt
Chocolate chips
Mix until ingredients just combine
Step 7: Shape Cookie Delights
Use 3-tablespoon cookie scoop
Roll dough into perfect balls
Place on prepared baking trays
Space 2-3 inches apart
Optional: Press extra chocolate chunks on top
Step 8: Bake to Perfection
Bake one tray at a time
Cook 9-13 minutes
Look for golden brown edges
Centers should be slightly underbaked
Use cookie cutter to shape edges if desired
Step 9: Cool and Store
Transfer cookies to wire rack
Allow complete cooling
Store in airtight container
Keep at room temperature 2-3 days
For longer storage, refrigerate or freeze dough balls
Thaw to room temperature before baking
Enjoy your scrumptious homemade cookies!
Tips for Baking the Chewiest Pumpkin Cookies
Drain Pumpkin Thoroughly: Remove as much moisture as possible from the pumpkin puree to prevent soggy cookies and ensure a perfectly chewy texture.
Brown Butter Carefully: Watch the butter closely while browning to achieve a rich, nutty flavor without burning, stirring occasionally and removing from heat when golden brown bits appear.
Chill Butter Strategically: Cool browned butter to exactly 75°F, stirring periodically, to maintain the right consistency for optimal cookie structure.
Scoop Uniformly: Use a 3-tablespoon cookie scoop and roll dough between palms to create consistent, perfectly shaped cookies that bake evenly.
Shape After Baking: Use a large round cookie cutter to gently reshape warm cookies, creating professional-looking edges and a perfectly circular shape.
Best Way to Store Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
Refrigerate: Place cooled cookies in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Enjoy within 3-4 days for optimal freshness and texture.
Freeze: Wrap individual cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then store in a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag. Frozen cookies maintain quality for up to 2 months.
Reheat: Warm refrigerated or frozen cookies in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or in a preheated 300°F oven for 3-5 minutes. This restores their soft, chewy texture and brings out the rich, buttery flavor.
Serve Pumpkin Cookies with These Cozy Companions
Brew Cozy Chai Latte: Complement the warm, spicy pumpkin notes with a creamy chai tea latte, enhancing the cookie's autumnal flavor profile.
Pour Rich Caramel Macchiato: Drizzle a caramel macchiato alongside these cookies to echo the browned butter's nutty undertones and add decadent sweetness.
Serve Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Create a delightful contrast by pairing the warm, chewy cookies with cold, smooth vanilla bean ice cream for a classic dessert combination.
Variations That Make Pumpkin Cookies Even Better
Autumn Maple Crunch: Replace chocolate chips with maple-coated pecans for a rich, seasonal flavor profile. Add a sprinkle of maple sugar on top before baking to enhance the warm, woodsy taste.
Spiced Cream Cheese Swirl: Create a cream cheese mixture with pumpkin pie spice and swirl it through the cookie dough before baking. This adds a tangy, creamy element that complements the pumpkin's natural sweetness.
Salted Caramel Pumpkin: Drizzle homemade salted caramel sauce over the cooled cookies. Incorporate caramel bits into the dough for extra bursts of sweet-salty goodness that elevate the classic pumpkin chocolate chip cookie.
Nutty Pumpkin Harvest: Mix in toasted walnuts or almonds to add crunch and depth. Incorporate a handful of oats for a heartier texture that brings a rustic, wholesome feel to the classic cookie recipe.
Pumpkin chocolate chip cookies bring autumn’s warmth to classic cookie comfort. Spiced dough and melted chocolate create an irresistible treat that welcomes you into seasonal baking bliss.
Ingredients
Scale
Chewy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
Main Ingredients:
1 cup (227 grams) cold unsalted butter
1 cup (240 milliliters) finely chopped chocolate bar or chocolate chips
⅔ cup (160 milliliters) Libby’s Pumpkin Puree, room temperature
Sweeteners and Binding:
½ cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
½ cup (110 grams) light brown sugar, packed
2 large egg yolks, room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients:
1⅔ cup + 1 tablespoon (220 grams) all-purpose flour
2½ teaspoons pumpkin spice
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon fine sea salt
Instructions
Heat the oven to 350°F and prepare two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Transform butter into a golden-brown delicacy in a stainless steel pan, watching carefully as it develops rich, nutty aromas. Swirl occasionally to prevent burning.
Transfer browned butter to a measuring bowl and chill for approximately one hour, stirring periodically until it reaches a cool, liquid state.
Carefully remove excess moisture from pumpkin puree using paper towels, pressing gently until the texture feels relatively dry.
Combine cooled browned butter with both sugar varieties, whisking vigorously for exactly 60 seconds until the mixture resembles damp, sandy terrain.
Incorporate egg yolks, vanilla, and pumpkin puree, mixing until the ingredients form a smooth, cohesive blend.
Gently fold in flour, pumpkin spice, baking soda, sea salt, and chocolate chips, ensuring minimal mixing to maintain a tender texture.
Scoop cookie dough using a 3-tablespoon measure, rolling each portion between palms to create uniform spheres. Arrange on prepared baking sheets with ample spacing.
Optionally, embellish each dough ball with additional chocolate chunks for more intense chocolate pockets.
Bake individual trays for 9-13 minutes, targeting golden-brown edges with slightly underdone centers. Use a cookie cutter to shape edges for perfect circular cookies.
Allow cookies to cool completely on a wire rack before serving.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days. For extended preservation, refrigerate or freeze dough balls, allowing them to return to room temperature before baking.
Notes
Brown butter creates a rich, nutty depth that elevates the classic pumpkin chocolate chip cookie flavor profile.
Carefully press excess moisture from pumpkin puree to prevent soggy, dense cookies and ensure a perfect chewy texture.
Chill browned butter to the right temperature (75°F) for optimal cookie consistency and structure.
Scoop and roll dough balls uniformly to guarantee even baking and consistent cookie size.
Optional chocolate chunk topping adds visual appeal and extra melty chocolate pockets when baked.
Refrigerate or freeze dough balls for make-ahead convenience, extending the recipe’s versatility and storage options.
Focus: Blending culinary arts with nutritional science to create health-focused cuisine.
Certified Nutrition Specialist® (CNS®)
Credential: Advanced certification in personalized nutrition therapy.
David Bennett is the lead recipe creator and nutrition expert at HealthyChoices.org, your friendly space for tasty meals that nourish body and mind.
With a Culinary Nutrition degree from Johnson & Wales University and a Certified Nutrition Specialist® credential, David pairs practical nutrition with delicious cooking, creating recipes you’ll crave daily.
At Healthy Choices, David shares easy, nutritious dishes and smart cooking tips to make healthy eating something everyone can enjoy, with no complicated diets needed.
David Bennett
Founder & Head Recipe Developer
Expertise
Culinary Nutrition, Recipe Development, Nutritional Counseling, Food Science
Education
Johnson & Wales University
Certified Nutrition Specialist® (CNS®)
David Bennett is the lead recipe creator and nutrition expert at HealthyChoices.org, your friendly space for tasty meals that nourish body and mind.
With a Culinary Nutrition degree from Johnson & Wales University and a Certified Nutrition Specialist® credential, David pairs practical nutrition with delicious cooking, creating recipes you’ll crave daily.
At Healthy Choices, David shares easy, nutritious dishes and smart cooking tips to make healthy eating something everyone can enjoy, with no complicated diets needed.