Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar (plus 1/4 cup for rolling)
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree (blotted with a paper towel)
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon (for rolling)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to ensure the cookies don’t stick and the bottoms brown evenly.
- In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the softened butter, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, and brown sugar together on medium-high speed. Continue for about 2-3 minutes until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color.
- Add the blotted pumpkin puree, egg yolk, and vanilla extract. Beat until well combined. Note: It is important to blot the pumpkin with a paper towel to remove excess moisture, which prevents the cookies from becoming too puffy or cake-like.
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, salt, and pumpkin pie spice. Gradually add these dry ingredients to the wet mixture on low speed, mixing just until no streaks of flour remain. Do not overmix.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining 1/4 cup of granulated sugar and the tablespoon of ground cinnamon. This will be the “churro” coating that gives the cookies their signature sparkle and crunch.
- Scoop about 1.5 tablespoons of dough and roll it into a ball between your palms (about 1 inch in diameter). Roll the ball thoroughly in the cinnamon-sugar mixture until heavily coated, then place it on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. The cookies should look slightly set at the edges but still soft in the center. Allow them to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This resting time helps them firm up.
- Cook Time: 32 minutes
- Diet: Vegetarian