Classic snickerdoodles are dressed up for fall with the addition of pumpkin pie spice. These delicious Pumpkin Spice Snickerdoodles are a great way to start off your fall season baking!
These Pumpkin Spice Snickerdoodles are my newest fall baking obsession! They are the perfect thickness, nicely spiced, and wonderfully chewy.
Classic snickerdoodles rank very high on my list of favorite cookies. They are absolutely perfect in their simplicity. For this reason, I tread lightly when it came to modifying my base recipe to come up with this fall-inspired version.
This is not an in-your-face pumpkin recipe. While I wanted to add a seasonal twist, I didn’t want to mess with the beautiful integrity of this classic. The true snickerdoodle-ness remains, but a little pumpkin pie spice adds an undeniable fall flavor without affecting the soft, tender, chewy texture that is absolutely vital for this cookie.
I take my snickerdoodles very seriously.
Table of contents
Ingredients in Pumpkin Spice Snickerdoodles
- Wet Ingredients – Softened butter, granulated and light brown sugar, eggs, and pure vanilla extract.
- Dry Ingredients – All-purpose flour, cream of tartar, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt.
What is Cream of Tartar?
A true Snickerdoodle recipe will always include cream of tartar. What the heck is cream of tartar? It is an acidic by-product of the wine making process (strange but true!). It’s commonly used as a stabilizer and to add volume when making meringue. It’s also a component of baking powder. In this recipe, it helps to activate the baking soda and lends to the distinctive texture. It’s a vital component to this recipe.
What is in Pumpkin Pie Spice?
All pumpkin pie spice blends should contain a mixture of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger and sometimes they’ll also have a little allspice. Any brand of pumpkin pie spice you’ve got on hand will work for this recipe but Penzeys is my favorite.
How to Make Pumpkin Spice Snickerdoodles
- Use an electric hand or stand mixer to cream together butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar. Add the eggs and vanilla extract, mixing until creamy and well combined.
- In a separate bowl combine the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice, and salt. Add dry mixture to wet mixture, in increments, beating well after each addition. Cover and refrigerate dough for at least an hour or longer.
- Combine the sugar and pumpkin spice mixture in a small dish. Roll the cookie dough into small balls with your hands or small cookies scoop and roll each ball in the spice mixture.
- Place 2 inches apart on parchment paper lined or ungreased baking sheets. Bake in a preheated 375 degree F oven for 8 to 10 minutes, just until set. Remove from oven and allow to cool on baking sheet for only a minute or two and then transfer cookies to a rack to cool completely.
Chilling the dough solidifies the butter a bit and helps ensure the cookies won’t spread too much when baking. Return the bowl of cookie dough to the refrigerator between batches.
Baking Tip
If cookies don’t spread enough when baking, use the back side of a spatula to flatten slightly to achieve the correct thickness. This can be done just before baking or when you remove the cookies from the oven.
Storage Tips
Transfer completely cooled cookies to an airtight container and store at room temperature for up to 1 week.
Can You Freeze Pumpkin Spice Snickerdoodles?
It’s best to freeze the cookie dough and then bake up as many as you’d like when you need them. Shape the dough as directed and place them on a baking sheet without coating in the spice mixture. Transfer the baking sheet to the freezer for an hour or two or until they are frozen solid. Then, transfer them to a freezer-safe plastic storage bag and freeze for up to 3 to 4 months.
When ready to bake, allow the dough to thaw completely in the refrigerator overnight then proceed with the recipe, as directed.
The perfect Pumpkin Spice Snickerdoodles for the fall season!
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Pumpkin Spice Snickerdoodles
Ingredients
For the cookies:
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For the spiced sugar coating:
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 3 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Use an electric hand or stand mixer to cream together butter, 1 cup granulated sugar, and ½ cup light brown sugar. Add the eggs and vanilla extract, mixing until creamy and well combined. In a separate bowl combine the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, and salt. Add dry mixture to wet mixture, in increments, beating well after each addition. Cover and refrigerate dough for at least an hour or longer.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper (if not using parchment paper, do not grease baking sheets).
- Mix the coating ingredients together in a small dish. Shape refrigerated dough by rounded spoonfuls into balls. Roll balls of dough in mixture. Place 2 inches apart on the parchment paper lined or ungreased baking sheets. Bake 8 to 10 minutes, just until set. Remove from oven and allow to cool on baking sheet for only a minute or two and then transfer cookies to a rack to cool completely.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated using generic ingredients, and is an estimate not a guarantee. For more accurate results, please refer to the labels on your ingredients at home.
Pumpkin Recipes
These are one of my favorites – and perfect for fall! Can’t wait to make another batch soon!
Me too, Sandra! They are absolutely my favorite fall cookie 🙂
I’ve been craving snickerdoodles lately! This pumpkin version sounds just perfect!
Thanks, Anna!
Can you use Blue Bonnet instead of real butter?
For the best result I definitely recommend using real butter in this recipe.
The first batch just came out of the oven, the house smells wonderful and the cookies are delicious!
Fabulous! So glad they worked out well for you. Enjoy 🙂
Snickerdoodles are the one cookie that I rarely make. After seeing these, that needs to change!
Snickerdoodles are one of my favorite cookies, too! Love the addition of pumpkin spice. I’d happily enjoy a couple of these cookies with my afternoon coffee 🙂
Snickerdoodles are the best, it’s even fun just saying the word lol.
Ooo! Snickerdoodles are high on my list, too! Love the sound of these with the added pumpkin spice! What a great idea – yum!
Seeing as these are a combination of two of the best things life has to offer, I can’t wait to try these! 🙂
Oh yum! I LOVE snickerdoodles- these are perfect for fall!
I’m imagining what these cookies smell like and I’m drooling!!! Definitely ones I need to make!
Snickerdoodles are one of my families favorite. I love the little twist for fall!