Indulge in these delectable autumnal treats that capture the essence of the season. Warmly spiced soft and chewy pumpkin cookies form the foundation. Packed with genuine pumpkin and a hint of warm pumpkin spice, the cookie dough exudes the quintessential essence of autumn in each satisfying bite. Prior to baking, each cookie receives an indulgent coating in a rich pumpkin spice sugar blend, elevating the flavors and textures with an added dimension of autumnal delight. After baking, they develop an indentation in the centre, resembling a thumbprint pressed into its surface. A delicate cream cheese filling is carefully placed at the centre of the treat. Experience the essence of autumn in a single indulgent treat – a rich tapestry of flavors that evoke the cozy warmth and vibrant colors of the season.
Why Our Recipe
- Soft-baked thumbprint cookies infused with the warmth of pumpkin spice and the essence of autumn, perfect for embracing the cozy flavors of the season.
- A soft and velvety pumpkin cookie crowned with a rich cream cheese frosting that melts in your mouth.
- Pumpkin puree and pumpkin spice infuse the cookie dough, which is subsequently coated in a blend of sugar and warm pumpkin spices prior to baking.
These melt-in-your-mouth pumpkin cookies are a taste of pure bliss, surprisingly easy to prepare. With rapid assembly and a playful thumbprint technique, this activity invites family members to participate in a delightful, collaborative experience. As the seasons transition and autumn’s warm tones emerge, indulge in the quintessential flavors of the season with these scrumptious Pumpkin Cheesecake Thumbprint Cookies – perfect for fall gatherings, festive celebrations, or simply satisfying your cravings for something delightfully seasonal.
Ingredient Notes
- Ensure that your butter has reached a state of softness at room temperature, making it effortlessly mixable. If you’re using only salted butter, consider decreasing the amount of salt called for in the recipe to a quarter teaspoon.
- When baking with pumpkin, make sure to use high-quality, pure pumpkin purée rather than canned pumpkin pie filling for the best results. Pumpkin pie filling, with its inherent mix of added sugars and spices, would significantly modify the original recipe if used as a substitute.
- Stick with traditional all-purpose flour to achieve the perfect texture.
- This subtle enhancement enables the cookies to lift ever so slightly, resulting in a delightfully tender crumb.
- Whether you prefer to rely on a store-bought option or create your own unique blend, you can combine spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves to craft a personalized mixture.
- Ensure your cream cheese has reached a fully softened state prior to blending, thus guaranteeing a silky, velvety consistency in the final filling. Cold produces lumps.
Chilling the Dough
Chilling your dough is an essential step in achieving the ideal cookie texture. Chilling the butter will help to temper its consistency, thereby preventing the cookies from spreading excessively during baking and ensuring a more even texture upon completion. If unchecked, their rapid proliferation might result in a scarcity of suitable indents.
The Perfect Indent
The origins of “thumbprint cookies” lie in a traditional technique where a person uses their thumb to create an impression in the centre of the dough, leaving a characteristic mark that has become synonymous with these treats. Here are a few other tools and techniques you can use to create a consistent and even shape every time: You might find that using a ruler or straightedge helps ensure that your strokes are level and evenly spaced, while a pencil sharpener can aid in maintaining a consistent point on your writing instrument.
This is our preferred approach. With the rounded back of a medium-sized teaspoon, delicately depress the warm cookie, creating a precise circular impression approximately 1/2 to 1 tablespoon in diameter.
Consider employing your knuckles as a makeshift tool to create a more substantial indentation if you prefer a traditional approach. By applying a consistent coating thickness and adhering to specific application guidelines, this method provides greater control over the process, thereby minimizing the likelihood of cracks forming.
A large, uniform indent can be achieved by using a clean wine cork effectively. Embed the caramel directly into the heart of the cookies while they’re freshly baked to create a perfectly rounded indentation.
Storage Instructions
Since the cookies feature a cream cheese filling, it’s essential to store them in the refrigerator. Store them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to five days.
Store frozen cookies for optimal longevity. Store the cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet and refrigerate until frozen, approximately one hour. Store them in a resealable freezer bag or an airtight container. Preserved at a temperature below 0°C for up to three months. Ready to serve? Simply let the cookies sit at room temperature until they’re fully thawed.
Caitlin will guide you thoroughly through each step of this recipe. Occasionally, having a visual aid can be incredibly beneficial, which is why our cooking show is always available to provide just that. Discover a comprehensive collection of recipes on our website or mobile app, easily accessible with corresponding recipes at your fingertips.
![Miso Roasted Pumpkin and Grilled Tofu Over Udon Noodles [Vegan] – One Green Planet](https://top-100-recipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/xVegan-Miso-Roasted-Pumpkin-and-Grilled-Tofu-over-Udon-Noodles-in-Scallion-Scented-Broth_3-150x150.jpg.pagespeed.ic.S95ap7sdwa.jpg)
![Diner-Style ‘Meat’ Loaf [Vegan] – One Green Planet](https://top-100-recipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Diner-Style-Meat-Loaf-150x150.jpg)
