Chai Pumpkin Cookies Recipe 🍪🎃

If fall had a smell, it would be warm spices, sweet pumpkin, and a fresh batch of cookies baking in the oven. These chai pumpkin cookies bring all of that together in one soft, cozy bite. They are gentle, comforting, and perfect with a cup of tea or coffee on a quiet afternoon.

I love recipes like this because they feel homemade, not fancy or stressful. You do not need special skills or rare tools. Just a bowl, a spoon, and a little patience while the cookies bake.

“These cookies taste like a warm hug on a cool day.” ☕🍂

What Are Chai Pumpkin Cookies?

Chai pumpkin cookies are soft cookies made with pumpkin puree and chai spices like cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, cloves, and nutmeg. The pumpkin keeps them moist, while the spices give them a deep, cozy flavor.

They are not crunchy cookies. They are pillowy, soft, and lightly sweet. Think of them as the cookie version of a pumpkin spice latte, but warmer and more comforting.

Why people love them:

• Soft and cake-like
• Warm spice flavor
• Not overly sweet
• Perfect for fall and winter

Why This Recipe Works So Well

This recipe is simple but smart. Each ingredient has a clear job.

• Pumpkin puree adds moisture and color
• Brown sugar gives depth and softness
• Chai spices bring warmth without being too strong
• Butter adds richness and flavor

The balance is just right. Nothing overpowers the pumpkin. Nothing feels dry.

Ingredients You Will Need 🧾

Here is everything you need for these cookies.

Dry Ingredients

Ingredient	Amount
All-purpose flour	2 cups
Baking powder	1 tsp
Baking soda	1/2 tsp
Salt	1/2 tsp
Ground cinnamon	1 1/2 tsp
Ground ginger	1 tsp
Ground cardamom	1/2 tsp
Ground cloves	1/4 tsp
Ground nutmeg	1/4 tsp

Wet Ingredients

Ingredient	Amount
Unsalted butter (softened)	1/2 cup
Brown sugar	3/4 cup
White sugar	1/4 cup
Pumpkin puree	1 cup
Egg	1 large
Vanilla extract	1 tsp

What Is Chai Spice? ☕✨

Chai spice is a mix of warm spices often used in tea. You can buy a blend or make your own at home.

Basic chai spice mix includes:

• Cinnamon
• Ginger
• Cardamom
• Cloves
• Nutmeg

This mix gives cookies a deep, comforting, and slightly spicy flavor without heat.

Step-by-Step Instructions 👩‍🍳

Follow these steps slowly. There is no rush here.

1. Preheat the Oven

Set your oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together:

• Flour
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt
• All the spices

Set this bowl aside.

3. Cream the Butter and Sugars

In a large bowl, beat the butter with brown sugar and white sugar until soft and fluffy. This step helps the cookies stay light.

4. Add Pumpkin and Egg

Mix in the pumpkin puree, egg, and vanilla. Stir until smooth.

5. Combine Wet and Dry

Slowly add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Stir gently. Do not overmix. Stop when everything just comes together.

6. Scoop the Dough

Use a spoon or cookie scoop. Drop dough onto the baking sheet, leaving space between cookies.

7. Bake

Bake for 12 to 14 minutes. The tops should look set but soft.

8. Cool

Let cookies cool on the tray for 5 minutes, then move them to a rack.

How These Cookies Should Look and Feel

These cookies do not spread much. They stay soft and thick.

Perfect cookies are:

• Soft in the center
• Lightly golden on the edges
• Moist even the next day

If they look slightly underbaked, that is okay. They firm up as they cool.

Optional Glaze Idea ✨

If you want something extra, try a simple glaze.

Quick glaze recipe:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 to 2 tbsp milk
• A pinch of cinnamon
• Drizzle over cooled cookies.

This adds sweetness but keeps the cookies gentle and balanced.

Helpful Tips for Best Results 💡

• Do not overmix the dough
  Overmixing makes cookies dense.
• Use pure pumpkin puree
  Not pumpkin pie filling.
• Measure flour correctly
  Too much flour makes cookies dry.
• Let butter soften naturally
  Do not melt it.

Common Mistakes to Avoid 🚫

1. Using pumpkin pie filling instead of puree
2. Skipping the spices
3. Baking too long
4. Packing flour into the measuring cup

Small mistakes can change texture fast.

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips 🧊

Storing Cookies

• Keep in an airtight container
• Store at room temperature for 3 days
• Refrigerate up to 1 week

Freezing

• Freeze baked cookies up to 2 months
• Freeze dough balls for easy baking later

Let frozen cookies thaw at room temperature.

Fun Variations to Try 🎨

• Chocolate Chip Chai Pumpkin Cookies
  Add 1/2 cup chocolate chips.
• Gluten-Free Version
  Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
• Vegan Option
  Use plant butter and a flax egg.
• Extra Spice Version
  Add a pinch of black pepper for warmth.

Serving Ideas 🍽️

These cookies shine on their own, but they pair beautifully with:

• Hot chai tea
• Coffee with milk
• Vanilla ice cream
• Warm apple cider

Perfect for gatherings or quiet nights.

Nutrition Notes (Approximate)

Nutrient	Per Cookie
Calories	140
Fat	6g
Carbs	20g
Sugar	11g
Protein	2g

These are comfort cookies, not diet cookies. Enjoy them fully.

Why Pumpkin Is So Loved in Baking 🎃

Pumpkin adds:

• Moisture
• Natural sweetness
• Soft texture
• Beautiful color

It also helps cookies stay fresh longer.

A Small Personal Note 💛

I started baking pumpkin cookies years ago during a rainy fall weekend. The smell filled the whole kitchen, and since then, these cookies have become a yearly tradition for me. Every batch still feels special.

Frequently Asked Questions ❓

Final Thoughts 🍂

These chai pumpkin cookies are everything fall baking should be. Simple. Warm. Comforting. They are easy enough for beginners and satisfying for experienced bakers.

Bake them once, and they often become a seasonal favorite.

“Some recipes feel like home. This is one of them.”

Save For Later 📌