Pumpkin Cookies with Browned Butter Frosting

Recipe Ingredients

Pumpkin Cookies with Browned Butter Frosting are a delicious recipe for the fall season! Below is a list of the main ingredients you’ll need for this recipe.

Cookie Ingredients

Granulated Sugar: provides straightforward sweetness and helps the cookies spread by melting during baking.

Brown Sugar: contains molasses, which adds a deeper, more caramel-like flavor. Crucially, the molasses also adds moisture, which is key to making these cookies soft and chewy rather than crisp.

Butter (softened): Butter is the primary fat in this recipe and provides a rich, creamy taste.

Vanilla Extract: Vanilla is a flavor enhancer. While it has its own distinct aromatic flavor, its main role is to round out and elevate the other flavors in the cookie, such as the butter, sugar, and spices, making them taste richer and more complex.

Pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix): This is the star ingredient for flavor and texture.

Eggs: They hold all the other ingredients together, preventing the cookies from crumbling.

All-Purpose Flour: Flour is the foundation and provides the main structure of the cookie and gives the cookie its shape and chew.

Baking Soda: This is the chemical leavening agent, causing the cookies to rise and become light and tender.

Ground Cinnamon & Salt: Both serve as flavor adjustors.

Frosting Ingredients

Butter (not margarine): This is the most important ingredient in the frosting, as its transformation is key. The process of "browning" the butter creates a deeply nutty, toasty, and complex flavor that is far richer than simple melted butter.

Powdered Sugar: This is the base and sweetener for the frosting. It is ground finely and contains cornstarch, which allows it to dissolve instantly into the liquids without creating a grainy texture, resulting in a smooth, creamy frosting.

Milk: Milk is the liquid used to dissolve the powdered sugar and adjust the frosting's consistency. Its primary role is to thin the frosting to a perfectly "creamy and spreadable" texture.

Vanilla Extract: Vanilla adds a layer of aromatic flavor to the frosting, complementing the nutty browned butter and the sweetness of the sugar.

Storage

Follow these guidelines to maintain the optimal flavor and texture for these Pumpkin Cookies with Browned Butter Frosting.

Refrigerator

Make sure the cookies are completely cooled after baking and frosting before storing. Place in an airtight container. Arrange them in a single layer to prevent the frosting from sticking to other cookies. If you need to stack them, place a sheet of parchment paper between the layers. Store the cookies in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. Refrigeration may cause the cookies to become slightly drier, so ensure they are well-sealed.

Freezer

For longer storage, you can freeze the cookies. Place the cooled, frosted cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze them individually until solid. Once frozen, transfer them to an airtight container or freezer bag. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. Thaw them in the refrigerator overnight before serving.