Our #1 Pumpkin Dessert Recipe Is So Good, It Sells 'By the Pound’ At Church Bake Sales

Nearly 4,000 reviewers have given this seasonal recipe a 5-star rating.

A green plate with iced pumpkin cookies
Photo:

Allrecipes/Diana Chistruga

It’s not really fall until you have a pumpkin dessert—so you should really make sure the first sweet, spicy, and cozy bite of the year is a good one. Kick off baking season with our #1 pumpkin recipe of all time: these easy iced pumpkin cookies. With nearly 4,000 5-star ratings from Allrecipes community members, this top-rated treat is sure to become an autumnal favorite. 

Iced Pumpkin Cookies on blue and white plate

Sheila LaLonde

Why We Love These Cookies

  • No fancy ingredients required: Unlike lots of other bakery-worthy desserts that might require a trip to a specialty store, this recipe comes together with ingredients you likely have on hand. What you don’t already have, such as pumpkin puree, you can buy for just a couple bucks. 
  • They’re wonderfully fluffy: According to multiple reviewers, “cookies” is a misnomer—they say these treats should actually be called “muffin tops.” That’s because, thanks to two leaveners (baking soda and baking powder), they’re much more cake-like than traditional cookies. 
  • You can make them ahead of time: As the holiday season approaches, make-ahead desserts start looking better and better. Since these cookies don’t feature a soft cream cheese-based frosting, the icing hardens quickly and stacks well. Plus, you can always freeze the dough balls to bake whenever you have unexpected company or crave a sweet treat. 
  • They’re customizable: Of course, some people prefer a thick cream cheese frosting. Others prefer no icing at all, so they might opt to roll the dough in cinnamon-sugar before baking. The world is your oyster when it comes to these versatile cookies! You can also make this recipe your own with mix-ins (such as chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, chopped pecans, walnuts, and/or raisins).
Iced pumpkin cookies

Aimee B.

What the Allrecipes Community Has to Say

  • “These are always such a big hit at parties and get-togethers! I’m always being asked for the recipe. They’re chewy, soft, and the perfect seasonal treat people of all ages will enjoy. I highly recommend these!” —Raelene S.
  • “I followed the recipe exactly and these cookies are delicious! They are very easy to make and definitely holiday party-worthy.” —Linda Lou Jett
  • “Made these cookies for my family and they absolutely loved them, so when it was time for my company’s annual Halloween bake-off, I decided to enter—and WON FIRST PLACE!! Thanks for this AMAZING go-to fall favorite!!” —Dejalen
  • “I’ve been making cookies for my local church bazaar. We sell them by the pound! My husband says they're the best yet!!” —Peggy Thomas
  • “Fantastic with or without icing. Soft, fluffy cookie with a mild flavor that made the whole house smell amazing while baking.” —Jamie

Get the Recipe: Iced Pumpkin Cookies

Was this page helpful?