Soft & Chewy Orange Pumpkin Cookies with Zesty Glaze: Your Perfect Fall Baking Recipe

Embrace the cozy flavors of autumn with these irresistible Orange Pumpkin Cookies! Soft, delightfully chewy, and bursting with classic fall spices, this pumpkin cookie recipe is elevated to perfection with a vibrant, zesty orange glaze. Imagine sinking your teeth into a tender pumpkin cookie, followed by the bright, citrusy tang of the glaze – it’s a match made in heaven that perfectly complements the rich pumpkin flavor. Ideal for gatherings, holiday tables, or simply enjoying with a warm cup of coffee on a crisp fall day, these fall cookies are a must-try for any pumpkin enthusiast.

As soon as the leaves start to change color and a chill fills the air, my thoughts immediately turn to all things pumpkin. There’s something incredibly comforting about the aroma of pumpkin and spices wafting from the kitchen. While pumpkin pie often takes center stage, these delightful homemade pumpkin cookies offer a wonderful alternative, bringing a unique twist with their sunny orange glaze. If you’re as passionate about pumpkin as I am, you’ll love exploring our extensive collection of delicious Pumpkin Cookie recipes – we’ve spent years perfecting a variety of options to satisfy every craving.

Orange Pumpkin Cookies: A Delightful Fall Treat

What makes these Orange Pumpkin Cookies truly stand out in the crowded world of fall desserts? It’s their perfect balance of classic comfort and bright, unexpected flavor. Made with incredibly simple ingredients, including readily available canned pumpkin puree, these cookies are accessible for any home baker. While delicious on their own, a unique element you can add for extra texture and flavor are chopped walnuts or pecans, offering a delightful crunch that complements the soft interior. However, the star of the show and what truly elevates these cookies is the exquisite orange glaze. Crafted from fresh orange zest, tangy orange juice, and sweet powdered sugar, this simple glaze creates an unforgettable citrusy counterpoint to the earthy pumpkin. Each bite offers a harmonious blend of warm autumn spices and a refreshing orange burst, making these cookies a truly memorable and highly sought-after fall baking recipe.

How to Bake Perfect Pumpkin Cookies Every Time

Achieving bakery-quality pumpkin cookies in your own kitchen is simpler than you might think! With a few key techniques and careful attention to detail, you can ensure your Orange Pumpkin Cookies turn out perfectly soft, chewy, and flavorful every single time. Here are our top tips for consistent success:

• **Achieve the Right Dough Consistency:** The dough for these pumpkin cookies should be slightly sticky, but still manageable. If you find it excessively sticky and difficult to roll into balls, gradually add a small amount of extra flour (a tablespoon at a time) until it reaches a pliable consistency. Over-flouring can lead to dry cookies, so aim for a dough that holds its shape but remains tender.
• **Use Softened, Not Melted, Butter:** This is a crucial step! Softened butter (at room temperature) creams beautifully with sugar, incorporating air into the mixture that gives cookies their light and tender texture. Melted butter, on the other hand, will result in flatter, denser, and often greasy cookies. Make sure your butter is truly softened but not oily to the touch.
• **Cream Butter and Sugars Thoroughly:** Don’t rush this initial mixing step! Creaming the softened butter and sugars together for a full 2-3 minutes is essential. This process aerates the mixture, creating tiny pockets of air that expand during baking, contributing to a wonderfully light and airy texture in your finished cookies. It also ensures the sugar crystals are fully dissolved, preventing a grainy texture.
• **Always Preheat Your Oven:** A consistently hot oven is vital for even baking. Placing cookie dough into a cold or partially heated oven can cause them to spread too much, bake unevenly, or become overly dry. Always allow your oven to fully preheat to 350°F (175°C) before placing your cookie sheets inside.
• **Invest in a Cookie Scoop:** For perfectly uniform cookies, a cookie scoop is your secret weapon. Not only does it make portioning the dough quick and mess-free, but it also ensures that all your cookies are the same size. This uniformity is key for even baking, preventing some cookies from being underbaked while others are overbaked.
• **Utilize Parchment Paper or a Silicone Baking Mat:** Lining your cookie sheets with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat is a game-changer. These surfaces provide a non-stick barrier, making it incredibly easy to remove your delicate pumpkin cookies from the pan without any scraping or sticking. They also help promote even browning and prevent burnt bottoms.
• **Avoid Overbaking for Ultimate Softness:** This is perhaps the most important tip for achieving truly soft and chewy cookies. When you remove your orange pumpkin cookies from the oven, they should still look slightly underbaked in the center. The edges might be lightly golden, but the middle will appear soft and perhaps a bit puffy. This is perfectly normal! They will continue to “bake” and firm up on the hot cookie sheet for a few extra minutes after being removed. Transferring them too early or baking until they look fully set will result in dry, hard cookies.

Essential Ingredients for Your Delicious Orange Pumpkin Cookies

Crafting these delectable Orange Pumpkin Cookies begins with selecting high-quality ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in achieving the perfect texture and flavor profile that makes these cookies a fall favorite.

For the Soft & Chewy Pumpkin Cookies:

• Granulated Sugar: This provides the primary sweetness and contributes to the cookie’s tender crumb. Creaming it with butter helps create a light texture.
• Large Egg: The egg acts as a binding agent, holding all the ingredients together and adding moisture, richness, and structure to the cookies. Ensure it’s at room temperature for better emulsification.
• Real Butter (Softened): Using real butter at room temperature is crucial for the creaming process, which incorporates air and results in soft, fluffy cookies. Avoid margarine or melted butter, as they yield different results.
• Pumpkin Puree: You’ll need 1 cup of 100% pure canned pumpkin puree. It’s essential to use pure pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling, which contains added sugars and spices that will alter the recipe’s balance significantly.
• All-Purpose Flour: Standard all-purpose flour provides the structural foundation for these cookies. While cake flour can also be used for an even softer texture, all-purpose works perfectly for a balanced chewiness.
• Baking Powder: This is our primary leavening agent, responsible for the cookies rising and becoming light. Always check that your baking powder isn’t old or expired, as its effectiveness diminishes over time.
• Salt: Just a teaspoon of salt is vital. It doesn’t make the cookies salty, but rather enhances and balances all the other flavors, particularly the sweetness and the depth of the pumpkin.
• Vanilla Extract: A good quality vanilla extract elevates the overall flavor profile, adding warmth and depth to the pumpkin and spice notes.
• Chopped Walnuts or Pecans (Optional): For those who enjoy a textural contrast and a nutty flavor, a cup of chopped walnuts or pecans can be folded into the dough. They add a delightful crunch and richness that complements the other ingredients beautifully.

For the Bright & Zesty Orange Glaze:

• Orange Zest: The zest from one fresh orange is where all the concentrated citrus oil and intense orange flavor reside. This is key for a truly vibrant glaze.
• Orange Juice: The juice from that same orange (approximately 2 tablespoons) provides the liquid base for the glaze, adding tartness and a fresh, fruity note. You can also use good quality store-bought orange juice if fresh isn’t available.
• Powdered Sugar (Confectioners’ Sugar): This fine sugar is essential for creating a smooth, creamy, and lump-free glaze that beautifully drizzles and sets.
• Salt: A mere ¼ teaspoon of salt in the glaze might seem unusual, but it’s a chef’s secret! It subtly enhances the orange flavor, making it pop even more without making the glaze taste salty.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Orange Pumpkin Cookies

Ready to bake a batch of the best pumpkin cookies you’ve ever tasted? Follow these simple instructions to create soft, chewy delights with that irresistible orange drizzle.

Prepare Your Baking Station

To begin your journey to delicious Pumpkin Orange Cookies, first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven heats up, prepare your cookie sheets. You can either lightly grease them or, for easier cleanup and perfect results, line them with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This ensures your cookies won’t stick and will lift off beautifully once baked.

Mixing the Cookie Dough Ingredients

In the bowl of your stand mixer (or using a hand mixer), combine the granulated sugar, room-temperature egg, and softened butter. Beat these ingredients together on medium speed for about 2-3 minutes until the mixture is light, fluffy, and well-creamed. This step is crucial for incorporating air and creating that wonderfully soft texture. Next, add the pumpkin puree, all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and vanilla extract to the creamed mixture. Mix on low speed until all the dry ingredients are just combined with the wet, being careful not to overmix. If desired, gently fold in your chopped walnuts or pecans at this stage, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.

Baking Your Perfect Pumpkin Cookies

Using a cookie scoop, portion out 2-inch balls of dough onto your prepared cookie sheets. Space them a few inches apart, allowing for about 12 cookies per sheet. These cookies don’t spread significantly, so you’ll want to slightly flatten each dough ball to approximately the desired size and thickness before baking. Place the cookie sheets into your preheated oven and bake for 13-15 minutes. The key to soft and chewy cookies is to avoid overbaking. The cookies should look slightly underbaked in the center when you remove them from the oven; they will continue to set on the hot sheet. The edges should be lightly golden, but the middle should still appear soft. Allow them to cool on the cookie sheet for 2-3 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool further.

Crafting the Zesty Orange Glaze

While your cookies are cooling, prepare the bright and zesty orange glaze. In a medium bowl, combine the fresh orange zest, orange juice, and powdered sugar. Whisk thoroughly until the mixture is completely smooth and lump-free. The glaze should have a slightly runny consistency, perfect for drizzling effortlessly over the cookies. Finally, stir in the small pinch of salt; this addition beautifully intensifies the orange flavor. Once your cookies are mostly cooled (they can still be slightly warm, but not hot), drizzle the orange glaze generously over each one. Allow the glaze to set for a few minutes before serving. The combination of warm pumpkin and refreshing citrus is truly delightful!

Orange Pumpkin Cookies

Orange Pumpkin Cookies are soft, chewy and perfect for fall! This pumpkin cookie recipe is topped with a simple orange glaze that complements the pumpkin flavor perfectly.

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Course: Cookies

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Orange Pumpkin Cookies

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 13 minutes minutes

Servings: 24 cookies

Calories: 180kcal

Author: Jessica & Nellie

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Ingredients 

For the cookies:

• 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• ½ cup butter softened
• 1 cup canned 100% pure pumpkin
• 2 ¼ cups flour
• 2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans optional

For the orange glaze:

• Zest from 1 orange
• Juice from 1 orange about 2 tablespoons
• 1 ¼ cups powdered sugar
• ¼ tsp salt

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a cookie sheet or line it with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
• In the bowl of a stand or hand mixer, cream together the sugar, egg, and butter. Beat for about 2-3 minutes.
• Add the pumpkin, flour, baking powder, salt, and vanilla. Mix until well combined. Fold in chopped walnuts or pecans.
• Scoop 2-inch balls of dough onto the cookie sheets, spacing apart to have 12 cookies per sheet. Slightly flatten each cookie to about the size you want them to be (they don’t spread much when baking).
• Bake for 13-15 minutes or until cooked in the center.
• To make the orange glaze, add the orange zest and juice into a medium bowl with the powdered sugar. Whisk until the glaze is smooth and has a slightly runny consistency to easily drizzle over the cookies. Mix in the salt.
• Drizzle glaze over slightly warm cookies.
• Cool and serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 180kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 17mg | Sodium: 131mg | Potassium: 93mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 1718IU | Vitamin C: 0.5mg | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 1mg

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Expert Tips for Making and Applying the Perfect Orange Glaze

The luminous orange glaze is what truly sets these pumpkin cookies apart, adding a burst of fresh citrus that brightens the entire flavor profile. Here are some pro tips to ensure your glaze is smooth, shiny, and perfectly applied:

• **Drizzling Techniques:** While a simple spoon or fork can work, using a whisk or a small piping bag (even a Ziploc bag with a tiny corner snipped off) offers more control for an elegant drizzle. You can create delicate lines or a more generous coating, depending on your preference.
• **Patience is Key for Cooling:** Resist the urge to glaze your homemade pumpkin cookies while they are still hot from the oven. If the cookies are too warm, the glaze will melt and run off, resulting in a messy finish and uneven coating. Wait until the cookies are mostly cooled to room temperature before drizzling. A slightly warm cookie is fine, as it helps the glaze adhere beautifully without melting completely.
• **Adjusting Glaze Consistency:** The perfect glaze consistency is crucial for a smooth, even drizzle. If your glaze seems too thick after mixing, add a small amount of additional orange juice (or even a teaspoon of water at a time) until it reaches your desired pourable consistency. Conversely, if the glaze turns out too thin and watery, gradually whisk in more powdered sugar, a tablespoon at a time, until it thickens sufficiently. Always adjust slowly to avoid overcorrecting.

Storing Your Delicious Pumpkin Orange Cookies

To keep your Orange Pumpkin Cookies as fresh and delightful as the day they were baked, proper storage is essential. Once the glaze has fully set, store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For extended freshness, particularly if you’ve made a large batch, you can store them in the refrigerator for up to a week. Make sure they are in a sealed container to prevent them from drying out or absorbing other odors from the fridge. Always allow refrigerated cookies to come to room temperature for the best texture and flavor experience.

Exciting Variations for Orange Pumpkin Cookies

While this pumpkin cookie recipe is perfect as is, it also serves as a fantastic base for culinary creativity! Here are some ideas to customize your fall cookies and discover new favorite flavors:

• Spice It Up: Enhance the warm fall flavors by experimenting with additional spices in the cookie dough. Consider adding a pinch of ground cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, or allspice. A blend of pumpkin pie spice would also be a fantastic addition, intensifying that classic autumn taste.
• Alternative Frostings: If you’re looking to change up the topping, swap the orange glaze for a different kind of frosting. A luscious cream cheese frosting would provide a rich, tangy counterpoint to the pumpkin, or a maple glaze could offer an extra layer of fall sweetness. You could also try a simple vanilla bean glaze for a more subtle finish.
• Citrus Swap: For an even more unique flavor combination, consider swapping the orange with lemon! A lemon zest and juice glaze would provide a different kind of bright, tart contrast that could be equally delicious and refreshing.
• Add-ins: Beyond walnuts and pecans, try folding in white chocolate chips, dark chocolate chunks, dried cranberries, or even a sprinkle of mini marshmallows for extra texture and flavor.
• Toasted Coconut: A sprinkle of toasted shredded coconut on top of the orange glaze (while it’s still wet) would add a fantastic tropical twist and delightful crunch.

Can You Freeze Pumpkin Cookies?

Absolutely! These soft pumpkin cookies are excellent candidates for freezing, making them perfect for meal prep or enjoying a homemade treat whenever a craving strikes. To freeze, allow the cookies to cool completely and ensure the orange glaze has fully set. Once cooled, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze for about an hour until firm. Then, transfer the frozen cookies to an airtight container or a heavy-duty freezer bag, layering them with parchment paper to prevent sticking. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, simply thaw the cookies at room temperature for a few hours. The texture and flavor will be just as wonderful as freshly baked!

How to Perfectly Soften Butter for Baking

Softened butter is a cornerstone of many baking recipes, including these homemade pumpkin cookies, contributing to their tender texture. Here’s a reliable method for achieving that perfect room-temperature consistency:

My go-to method for softening butter is using the defrost function on my microwave. If your recipe calls for a full ½ cup (1 stick) cube of butter, you can often leave it in its paper wrapper. For smaller amounts or if you prefer, place the required amount of butter in a microwave-safe glass or porcelain bowl. Set your microwave to its lowest defrost setting and run it for a short burst, typically around 20 seconds. After this initial time, gently press the butter with a rubber spatula or your finger. It should yield easily and leave an indentation, but not be melted or oily. If it’s still too firm, continue defrosting in 5-10 second increments, checking after each burst. Be vigilant – butter can go from perfectly softened to melted very quickly! The goal is pliable butter that holds its shape, not liquid butter.

The Art of Zesting an Orange

The zest from an orange provides concentrated citrus oil and vibrant flavor, making it a key ingredient in our refreshing glaze. Learning to zest properly is a simple skill that elevates many dishes. Here’s how to do it:

First, ensure you have the right tool – either a fine-toothed zester (like a Microplane) or a standard box grater with its smallest holes. Begin by thoroughly washing the orange under cool running water and drying it with a paper towel. This removes any wax or impurities. Hold the orange firmly in one hand and your zester or grater in the other. Gently rub the orange against the abrasive surface of the tool, using light pressure and moving the orange in a circular motion. The goal is to remove only the outermost, brightly colored layer of the peel, which contains all the aromatic oils. It is crucial to avoid grating the white pith directly underneath the zest. The pith is very bitter and will impart an unpleasant flavor to your glaze. Once you start to see the white pith appear, rotate the orange to a fresh, unzested section. Continue until you’ve collected the desired amount of zest. This technique ensures you capture all the bright, essential oils without any bitterness.

More Delicious Pumpkin Recipes to Try This Fall:

If you’ve fallen in love with these Orange Pumpkin Cookies, you’re undoubtedly a fan of fall baking! Explore more of our favorite pumpkin creations to fill your home with wonderful aromas and your plate with delicious treats:

• Spiced Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies: A classic combination of pumpkin, warm spices, and melty chocolate chips.
• No-Bake Pumpkin Cookies: Perfect for when you need a quick pumpkin fix without turning on the oven.
• Pumpkin Spice Bars: Rich, moist, and wonderfully spiced, topped with a creamy frosting.
• Pumpkin Pudding Cookies: Exceptionally soft and tender cookies thanks to a secret ingredient – pudding mix!
• Pumpkin Spice Caramel Corn: A delightful sweet and salty snack infused with autumn flavors.
• Pumpkin Gingersnap Cookies: A harmonious blend of warming ginger and comforting pumpkin.
• Layered Pumpkin Ice Cream Dessert: A cool and creamy treat, perfect for transitioning seasons.
• Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Cookie Bars: All the cinnamon-sugar goodness of snickerdoodles, with a pumpkin twist in bar form.
• Pumpkin Pie Oreo Balls: Irresistibly bite-sized, these no-bake treats are packed with pumpkin and cookie flavor.
• Pumpkin Cheesecake Ginger Cookies: A sophisticated blend of creamy cheesecake, spicy ginger, and rich pumpkin.
• Iced Pumpkin Cookies: Classic, simple iced pumpkin cookies that everyone loves.
• Perfect Pumpkin Waffles: Start your fall mornings right with these fluffy, flavorful waffles.
• Pumpkin Snickerdoodles: A beloved cookie, made even better with the addition of pumpkin puree and spices.
• Pumpkin Marshmallow Bundt Cake: A show-stopping cake with hidden marshmallow surprises.
• Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars: Easy to make and universally loved, these bars are a go-to fall dessert.