Ingredients
Method
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and line 2 baking sheets with parchment. Beat the 1/2 cup butter, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, and 1/4 cup brown sugar on medium speed for 3 minutes until pale and fluffy.
- Add the 1 large egg yolk, 1/3 cup blotted pumpkin puree, and 1 tsp vanilla extract. Mix on medium for 30 to 60 seconds until combined.
- Whisk together the 2 1/4 cups flour, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, and 1/2 tsp salt. Add to the wet ingredients and mix on low just until no dry streaks remain, about 45 seconds.
- Scoop the dough into 8 balls (about 3 tbsp each), flatten to 3/4 inch thick, and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 11 to 13 minutes until edges are set and tops are matte. Cool on the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Beat the 8 oz cream cheese and 1/4 cup butter on medium-high for 2 minutes until smooth. Add the 1 1/2 cups sifted powdered sugar, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, and 1 tsp vanilla. Mix on low 30 seconds, then medium for 1 minute until thick and creamy.
- Swirl about 3 tbsp frosting onto each cooled cookie with a spoon or offset spatula, dust with a pinch of cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice, and serve at room temperature.
Notes
The cookies must be fully cooled before frosting, or the cream cheese will melt and slide. If you're making these ahead, the unfrosted cookies keep at room temperature for up to 2 days wrapped tightly, and you can frost them right before serving. The frosting recipe makes enough for a generous swirl on all 8 cookies, but if you like a thicker layer, a 1.5x batch of frosting gives you room to pile it on.
