If you are looking for an easy to make, delicious dessert recipe than you are going to love these Cake Mix Pumpkin Cookies. Soft and fluffy cookies that are full of the flavors of Autumn and made with only 2 ingredients!
The combination of boxed cake mix and pumpkin puree will allow you to get the cookies made and in the oven in a matter of a few minutes. Once they bake and come out of the oven you can eat them right away or let them cool and top them with cream cheese frosting.
As much as I like old-fashioned pumpkin cookies, you just can’t beat the simplicity of this recipe. It is a great recipe to make when you don’t want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen or when you need a last minute dessert.
What Type of Cake Mix To Make Pumpkin Cookies
Spice Cake Mix – Although cookies can be made with any variety of cake mix, to get the most flavor use a spice cake mix for this recipe. The warm spices that are included in the spice cake mix pair perfectly with the flavor of pumpkin.
However, if you have trouble finding a box of spice cake mix you do have a couple of other options:
Carrot Cake – If you can’t find spice cake mix the second best option is a box of Carrot Cake mix. It has a similar flavor profile to spice cake.
Yellow Cake – Although if you can’t find spice cake or carrot cake mix you can use a box of yellow cake mix. However, you will need to add 2 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice to the dry mix to give it that warm spice flavor.
Pumpkin Puree (Not Pumpkin Pie Filling)
When you go to purchase pumpkin puree be careful that you don’t pick up a can of pumpkin pie filling by mistake. Although these two products are stocked next to each other on the grocery store shelves this time of the year, they are definitely two different products.
100% canned pumpkin is pumpkin (or a combination of different varieties of squash) that has been cooked down and pureed. No other ingredients are added to the puree.
On the other hand, pumpkin pie filling is made by adding various ingredients including spices so that you can simply pour the contents into a pie shell and make a pumpkin pie. Pie filling won’t work in this recipe so be sure that you purchase plain pumpkin puree to make the cookies.
Easy To Make Cake Mix Pumpkin Cookies
Now that you have your spice cake mix and pure pumpkin puree it is time to make the cookies! With just a few steps you will have the cookies in the oven in no time!
Step 1: Make the dough – In a medium size mixing bowl and the spice cake dry mix. You do not need to add any of the ingredients listed on the back of the cake box. Then add the entire can of pumpkin puree and mix until no dry mix is visible and the batter is clump-free.
Step 2: Drop the dough on the baking sheet – These cookies are what is known as drop cookies. You simply scoop up some dough and place the mound on the baking sheet. However, I still use a medium size cookie scoop so that the cookies are similar in size which ensures even baking.
*This cookie dough is much thicker and stickier than other standard cookie recipes. Therefore, I highly recommend lining the backing sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat so that the cookies don’t stick to the pan.
Step 3: Bake the cookies – Place the baking sheet in a preheated oven set at 350ºF. The cookies will take about 13-15 minutes or unti the outer edges of the cookies start to turn light golden brown in color.
Once they come out of the oven allow the cake mix pumpkin cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. This will allow the cookies a little time to firm up before you transfer them to a wire cooling rack.
Optional Ingredients & Add-Ins
Although the cookies are delicious, you have some options where you can customize the cookies with other ingredients to your liking. Below I have listed several other ways to make cake mix pumpkin cookies.
1. Frosting – For a classic pumpkin cookie taste add a layer of frosting on top. However be sure to let your cookies cool completely and then add a thick layer of cream cheese frosting on top. The classic combination is a favorite among many. *For even more flavor drizzle a little maple syrup in the frosting.
2. Sprinkles – To give the cookies a little color, add sprinkles to the cookie batter before you drop them on the baking sheet. Or put the sprinkles on top of the frosting for added color.
3. Baking chips – Add some semi-sweet chocolate chips to give the cookies a little extra sweet flavor. Although I like to add white chocolate chips and butterscotch chips as well.
4. Chopped nuts – For extra crunch and flavor add a half a cup of chopped nuts to the batter. Both pecans and walnuts are popular choices.
5. Raisins – Add standard or golden raisins for a little bite and chew to your cookies.
Cake Mix Pumpkin Cookies
*A printable recipe card is located at the bottom of this article which contains the specific measurements, temperatures and cook times. However, continue reading below to learn about more helpful tips about this specific recipe.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 box spice cake mix
- 1 (15 oz) can of pumpkin puree
Optional:
Cream cheese frosting
INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat or use a baking stone so that the cookies do not stick to the pan. Set aside.
In a medium bowl add the cake mix and the entire can of pumpkin puree. Use a hand mixer or a silicone spatula to mix the ingredients. Keep mixing until there are no lumps of cake mix visible.
Use a tablespoon or a medium cookie scoop to drop mounds of cookie dough on the prepared baking sheet. Be sure to leave at least 1 inch between the cookies.
Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 13-15 minutes, or until edges start to turn golden brown.
Remove the baking sheet from the oven and allow the cookies to cool for 5 minutes. Use a small spatula to transfer to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.
Frost with cream cheese or buttercream frosting if desired.
Store frosted cookies in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. Unfrosted cookies can be stored at room temperature for 3 days. Or store unfrosted cookies in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
Enjoy! Mary
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Other Pumpkin Inspired Recipes
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Cake Mix Pumpkin Cookies
Make delicious pumpkin cookies with only a box of cake mix and pumpkin puree. An easy dessert recipe perfect for Fall!
Ingredients
- 1 box spice cake mix
- 1 (15 oz) can of pumpkin puree
Optional
- cream cheese or buttercream frosting
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Set aside
- In a medium bowl add the cake mix and the entire can of pumpkin puree. Use a hand mixer or a silicone spatula to mix the ingredients until there are no lumps of cake mix visible.
- Use a tablespoon or a medium cookie scoop to drop mounds of cookie dough on the prepared baking sheet, leaving at least 1 inch between the cookies.
- Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 13-15 minutes, or until edges start to turn golden brown.
- Remove the baking sheet from the oven and allow the cookies to cool for 5 minutes. Use a small spatula to transfer to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.
- Frost with cream cheese or buttercream frosting if desired.
Notes
- You can store unfrosted cookies at room temperature for up to 3 days in a closed container or for up to a week in the refrigerator.
- Store frosted cookies in the refrigerator for up to 1 week in a covered container.
- Freezer Option: Freeze unfrosted cookies in an air tight container for up to 3 months. It is best to flash freeze them on a baking sheet lined with wax paper. Then place the frozen cookies in an air tight container, stacked with layers of wax paper placed between them.
Recipe provided by iCookfortwo.com
Nutrition Information
Yield 10 Serving Size 1 cookieAmount Per Serving Calories 204Total Fat 2gSaturated Fat 1gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 1gCholesterol 0mgSodium 383mgCarbohydrates 45gFiber 1gSugar 23gProtein 2g
Nutritional Information is to be used as a general guideline only . Nutritional calculations will vary from the types and brands of the products used.