There’s something truly magical about biting into a tender, aromatic cookie on a chilly day, especially when it’s homemade. With these Healthy Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Salted Maple Frosting, you get all the comforting flavors of fall—the warmth of pumpkin and spice, the sweetness of maple, and the perfect touch of salty tang in the creamy topping. This recipe creates cookies that are cloud-soft, delightfully moist, and wholesome enough to enjoy any time you crave a little seasonal treat. Whether you’re baking for yourself or to share with loved ones, these cookies deliver indulgence and nutrition in every frosted bite.

Healthy Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Salted Maple Frosting Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gathering your ingredients for these cookies is almost as delightful as baking them! Each component works in harmony to create cookies that are soft, flavorful, and balanced. Here’s what you’ll need, and why each item matters to the recipe’s irresistible result:

Pumpkin Puree: Gives the cookies their signature color, moisture, and subtly sweet earthy flavor—canned works beautifully for convenience.
Coconut Oil (melted): Keeps the cookies tender and adds a hint of richness, while keeping them dairy-free (before frosting).
Pure Maple Syrup: Naturally sweetens both the cookies and frosting, adding depth and that unmistakable fall flavor.
Egg: Binds everything together and helps the cookies stay soft and cake-like.
Vanilla Extract: Enhances all the autumn spices and brings warmth to both dough and frosting.
Whole Wheat Pastry Flour: The secret to keeping these cookies light but still wholesome—this flour makes for a soft, tender crumb.
Baking Soda & Baking Powder: Provide just the right lift, ensuring your cookies bake up puffy and soft rather than dense.
Salt: Lifts all the sweet flavors, and, in the frosting, balances the maple for the salted finish.
Cinnamon: Adds that cozy, classic autumn touch.
Nutmeg, Ginger & Cloves: These spices round out the pumpkin flavor, bringing warmth and complexity to every bite.
Plain Greek Yogurt (for the frosting): Creates a creamy, tangy base for a frosting that feels rich without being heavy.

How to Make Healthy Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Salted Maple Frosting

Step 1: Prep Your Baking Sheet and Oven

Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F so it’s warm and ready when the dough is mixed. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper—this simple step guarantees easy cookie removal and less cleanup later, so you can focus on the fun part: frosting and tasting!

Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, melted coconut oil, pure maple syrup, egg, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and unified. You’ll see the bright orange color come alive here! This base infuses every cookie with moisture and deep fall flavor.

Step 3: Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the whole wheat pastry flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. Mixing these ingredients separately ensures the spices are distributed evenly—so every cookie has the perfect blend of warmth and complexity.

Step 4: Bring Wet and Dry Together

Gradually add the dry ingredients to your wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix—otherwise, the cookies may lose their signature softness. The result should be a fluffy, slightly sticky dough that smells heavenly!

Step 5: Scoop and Bake

Using a tablespoon or small cookie scoop, drop mounds of dough onto your prepared baking sheet, spacing them evenly for a perfect bake. Slide them into the oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the cookies are set and the edges are barely golden. The aroma that fills your kitchen will have everyone circling, waiting for the first bite!

Step 6: Cool the Cookies

Once baked, let the cookies cool on a wire rack. Patience pays off here—if they’re not completely cool, the luscious Salted Maple Frosting will melt right off. While you wait, it’s the perfect time to prepare your frosting.

Step 7: Make the Salted Maple Frosting

In a small bowl, whisk the Greek yogurt, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and a pinch of sea salt until smooth and thick. This Healthy Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Salted Maple Frosting topping is what sets these cookies apart—tangy, sweet, creamy, and surprising in all the best ways.

Step 8: Frost and Finish

Once cookies are cool, spread a dollop of frosting on each one. Marvel at the gorgeous contrast between pumpkin orange and creamy, glossy white. Store frosted cookies in the fridge—a little chill makes the flavors pop and keeps the frosting delightfully thick.

How to Serve Healthy Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Salted Maple Frosting

Garnishes

Sprinkle a touch of cinnamon or a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt over the frosting for a bakery-worthy finish. For something extra-special, add finely chopped toasted pecans, pumpkin seeds, or a few mini chocolate chips on top—each option adds color, texture, and a subtle crunch to your Healthy Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Salted Maple Frosting.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair wonderfully with a hot cup of chai tea, a mug of spiced apple cider, or strong black coffee. If you’re serving them at brunch or a fall get-together, offer a fruit platter or bowl of roasted nuts alongside for a cozy, memorable spread.

Creative Ways to Present

For festive gatherings, stack the cookies high on a cake stand and scatter mini pumpkins or cinnamon sticks around the platter. You can sandwich two cookies together with a generous smear of frosting for a whoopie-pie twist, or wrap individual cookies in parchment to gift to neighbors and friends—the charm of Healthy Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Salted Maple Frosting is meant to be shared!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store frosted Healthy Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Salted Maple Frosting in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The Greek yogurt-based frosting keeps beautifully for up to 5 days. If you plan to make them ahead for a party, simply frost just before serving for the best look and texture.

Freezing

If you want to bake ahead, freeze the unfrosted cookies in single layers separated by parchment. Once thawed to room temperature, add the frosting for a just-baked taste and look. Freezing the cookies with frosting isn’t recommended, as the texture of the Greek yogurt frosting can change after thawing.

Reheating

These cookies are delicious straight from the fridge, but if you crave that fresh-baked warmth, pop the unfrosted cookies (or the frosted ones, very briefly!) in the microwave for 5 to 8 seconds. Let them cool for a moment, then frost if you haven’t already, so the Healthy Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Salted Maple Frosting stay picture-perfect.

FAQs

Can I use fresh pumpkin instead of canned puree?

Absolutely! Just be sure to drain your homemade pumpkin puree well, as it can hold more water than canned. The texture may be slightly softer but no less delicious in your Healthy Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Salted Maple Frosting.

Do these cookies taste very sweet?

The cookies are gently sweetened with maple syrup for a light, natural sweetness. The Salted Maple Frosting adds a luscious, sweet-and-salty lift without overwhelming the subtle pumpkin and spice notes.

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Yes, you can substitute a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for the whole wheat pastry flour. The cookies may be a tad more delicate, so handle gently, but you’ll still get the signature soft, cake-like texture!

How can I add chocolate or nuts?

Feel free to stir in up to 1/2 cup of mini chocolate chips or chopped pecans with the dry ingredients before mixing into the wet. This tweak adds wonderful richness and crunch without overpowering the pumpkin flavor.

Is the frosting very salty?

Not at all! The pinch of sea salt highlights the maple’s sweetness and brings out the tang of the yogurt. If you love a strong salty-sweet contrast, add a tiny sprinkle of extra sea salt on top just before serving.

Final Thoughts

There’s a certain joy in baking something that feels both wholesome and utterly delicious, and these Healthy Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Salted Maple Frosting deliver every time. Cozy up with a batch and let the autumn spices fill your kitchen—you’ll soon discover why these cookies are my go-to fall treat. Try them for yourself, share them with friends, and watch them disappear!