If you love the cozy flavors of fall and the irresistible charm of chocolate chips, you are absolutely going to adore this Classic Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe. These cookies strike the perfect balance between soft, tender pumpkin-infused dough and melty chocolate bites, making every single bite feel like a little celebration. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or just craving a sweet treat to enjoy with your afternoon tea, these cookies bring warmth, spice, and pure comfort right from your oven.

Classic Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

It’s amazing how just a handful of simple ingredients come together to create such a deliciously spiced and moist cookie. Each ingredient plays an important role in creating the tender texture, balanced sweetness, and classic pumpkin flavor you want.

Unsalted butter (1/2 cup): Softened butter gives the cookies richness and keeps them soft and chewy.
Granulated sugar (1/2 cup): Adds just the right amount of sweet crunch and helps with browning.
Brown sugar, packed (1/2 cup): Brings moisture and that irresistible caramel note for extra depth of flavor.
Pumpkin purée (1/2 cup): The star ingredient that lends moisture, color, and natural pumpkin flavor.
Large egg (1): Binds everything together and adds a tender crumb.
Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Enhances the sweetness and adds aromatic warmth.
All-purpose flour (1 1/2 cups): The foundation that gives structure to your cookies.
Baking soda (1 teaspoon): Helps the cookies rise and spread just right.
Ground cinnamon (1 teaspoon): Classic fall spice that makes these cookies utterly cozy.
Ground nutmeg (1/2 teaspoon): Adds a subtle nutty warmth.
Ground cloves (1/4 teaspoon): Gives a hint of spice complexity without overpowering.
Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Balances sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
Semi-sweet chocolate chips (1 cup): Little pockets of melt-in-your-mouth bliss throughout the cookie.

How to Make Classic Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare

Get your oven warmed up to 350°F (175°C) and line your baking sheets with parchment paper. This ensures your cookies bake evenly and release easily once done.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars

In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is key to achieving a tender, chewy cookie with just the right sweetness.

Step 3: Add Pumpkin, Egg, and Vanilla

Mix in the pumpkin purée, egg, and vanilla extract until fully combined. The pumpkin adds moisture and those beautiful fall flavors, while the egg helps hold everything together.

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. These spices lift the pumpkin base into something truly special, and the soda helps the cookies rise during baking.

Step 5: Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients

Gradually add your dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as you want to keep the cookies tender and soft.

Step 6: Fold in Chocolate Chips

Gently fold in the chocolate chips so they are evenly distributed throughout the dough—prepare for chocolatey bursts in every bite!

Step 7: Scoop Cookies onto Baking Sheets

Drop spoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, making sure to leave about 2 inches of space between each cookie. This gives them room to spread and bake evenly.

Step 8: Bake and Cool

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges turn a golden brown and the centers are set but still soft. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This resting period helps them finish setting perfectly.

How to Serve Classic Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

While these cookies are delicious on their own, a light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of melted white chocolate can add an extra special touch. You could also sprinkle a few extra chocolate chips on top just after baking for a fun presentation.

Side Dishes

Serve them alongside a warm cup of chai tea, a rich hot chocolate, or your favorite brewed coffee for a cozy snack or dessert combo. A scoop of vanilla ice cream alongside these cookies is a total game-changer, turning them into an indulgent treat.

Creative Ways to Present

Try stacking a few cookies and wrapping them with a festive ribbon to gift to friends and family. Or arrange them on a rustic wooden platter with colorful autumn leaves and mini pumpkins for a perfect seasonal display.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover Classic Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay soft and delicious for about 3 to 4 days, making them perfect for snacking throughout the week.

Freezing

You can freeze both the cookie dough and baked cookies. For dough, portion it into individual scoops and freeze on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer bag. Baked cookies freeze well in airtight containers and can be enjoyed months later.

Reheating

To refresh your cookies, pop them in a warm oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5 minutes or microwave them for 10 to 15 seconds. This brings back that just-baked softness and enhances the gooey chocolate feel.

FAQs

Can I use canned pumpkin for this recipe?

Absolutely! Canned pumpkin purée works perfectly here and is the most convenient option. Just make sure it’s plain pumpkin purée, not pumpkin pie filling which has added spices and sugar.

Can I substitute the chocolate chips with something else?

Definitely! Chopped nuts, white chocolate chips, or even dried cranberries make tasty swaps if you want a different flavor or texture.

Is it possible to make these cookies gluten-free?

Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend that measures cup-for-cup. Just be sure it includes xanthan gum for structure.

How do I make the cookies more cakey?

Try slightly increasing the pumpkin purée by a tablespoon or reducing the flour by a bit to make the dough more moist and cakey in texture.

Can I double the recipe for a larger batch?

Yes, this recipe scales up beautifully! Just mix the ingredients carefully and bake the cookies on multiple sheets, being mindful of baking times as needed.

Final Thoughts

I can’t recommend giving this Classic Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe a whirl enough. It’s a delightful way to embrace pumpkin season or satisfy any chocolate chip cookie craving with a unique twist. Baking these cookies fills your kitchen with that nostalgic aroma of warming spices, and sharing them brings smiles all around. So grab your mixing bowl and pumpkin purée, and let’s bake some magic together!