Are you in the mood for something sweet with a unique twist? You’ve come to the right place! This Pumpkin S’mores Cookies recipe combines the cozy flavors of fall with the gooey, decadent delight of s’mores. Imagine snuggling up with a warm cookie that boasts pumpkin puree, chocolate, marshmallows, and graham cracker bits. Sounds delicious, right?
Ingredients You’ll Need
Before you get started, it’s important to gather all your ingredients. Here’s a list to help you out:
For the Cookie Dough
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon salt
For the S’mores Filling
- 1 cup chocolate chips (semi-sweet or milk chocolate)
- 1 cup mini marshmallows
- 1 cup crushed graham crackers (about 10 full sheets)
Optional for Garnish
- Extra chocolate chips
- Mini marshmallows
- Crushed graham crackers
Step-by-Step to Make Pumpkin S’mores Cookies
It’s time to get your hands dirty! Here’s how to make these delightful cookies from scratch.
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that your cookies bake evenly and come out soft and delicious.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a mixing bowl, combine the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Using an electric mixer, beat them together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This usually takes about 3-4 minutes. The air you incorporate will help your cookies rise beautifully.
Step 3: Add Pumpkin and Eggs
Next, add in the pumpkin puree, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix them until fully combined. The pumpkin not only adds flavor but also gives the cookies their amazing soft texture.
Step 4: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing only until you no longer see streaks of flour. Overmixing can lead to tough cookies, and nobody wants that!
Step 5: Fold in the S’mores Ingredients
Now comes the fun part! Gently fold in the chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, and crushed graham crackers into the cookie dough. This creates pockets of gooey marshmallow and chocolate in each bite.
Step 6: Scoop and Bake
Using a cookie scoop or two spoons, drop large mounds of dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving enough space for the cookies to spread. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Remember, they’ll continue to cook slightly once removed from the oven, so don’t overbake.
Step 7: Add Toppings
Optional but highly recommended: while the cookies are still warm, sprinkle some extra chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, and crushed graham crackers on top. This adds a delightful finish to your cookies and gives them an extra s’mores flair.
Step 8: Cool and Enjoy
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy them warm or at room temperature—you won’t be able to resist!
Storage Tips for Pumpkin S’mores Cookies
Wondering how to keep those cookies fresh? Here are a few tips for storage:
- In an airtight container: Once the cookies are cool, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
- Refrigeration: For longer storage, you can keep them in the refrigerator, but be sure to let them come back to room temperature before enjoying.
- Freezing: To freeze, place the cookies in a single layer in a freezer-safe bag and consume them within three months. You can also freeze the raw dough, and bake fresh cookies whenever you desire!
Tips for Perfection
While this recipe is straightforward, a few handy tips can make your baking experience even better:
Use Fresh Ingredients
Make sure your baking powder and baking soda are fresh to ensure your cookies rise perfectly.
Don’t Overmix
Once you add the dry ingredients, mix just until everything is combined. Overmixing can cause the cookies to become dense.
Measure Ingredients Accurately
Baking is a science. Using a kitchen scale for measuring flour can lead to better results.
Adjust for Altitude
If you live at a high altitude, you may need to tweak the recipe by adding more flour or reducing the sugar slightly.
Healthier Alternatives
If you want to lighten up the recipe a bit, consider these alternatives:
- Whole Wheat Flour: Swap half of the all-purpose flour for whole wheat flour for added fiber.
- Natural Sweeteners: Use coconut sugar or honey instead of granulated sugar.
- Reduce Sugar: You can decrease the sugar by a quarter cup and still enjoy sweet, delightful cookies.
Pairing Suggestions
What goes best with these Pumpkin S’mores Cookies? Here are a few pairings that can elevate your enjoyment:
Hot Chocolate
A warm cup of hot chocolate perfectly complements your cookies and brings out those cozy fall vibes.
Pumpkin Spice Latte
For a real autumn treat, grab a pumpkin spice latte to pair with your cookies.
Milk
You can’t go wrong with the classic pairing of cookies and milk!
Tea
A nice chai tea can complement the spices in the cookies beautifully.
The Joy of Pumpkin S’mores Cookies
There’s something special about the combination of pumpkin and s’mores. The warm spices evoke the essence of fall, while the melted chocolate and gooey marshmallows take you right back to campfire memories.
These Pumpkin S’mores Cookies are perfect for gatherings, cozy fall evenings, or just a sweet treat any time of the year. Each bite is a celebration of flavors that will leave your friends and family asking for seconds.
Conclusion
Now that you have the know-how to create these delightful Pumpkin S’mores Cookies, it’s time to get baking! Don’t hesitate to experiment with variations and make the recipe your own. Share it with friends or keep it as a secret weapon up your sleeve for those moments when you need a sweet treat.