Maple Pecan Pumpkin Cookies

These Maple Pecan Pumpkin Cookies are the ultimate fall treat! With their soft texture, rich pumpkin flavor, and a delightful crunch from pecans, these cookies are perfect for cozy gatherings or a sweet afternoon snack. The combination of maple syrup and warm spices makes them truly irresistible, ensuring they’ll be a hit whenever you serve them.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Incredible Flavor: The blend of pumpkin, maple syrup, and spices creates a warm and inviting taste that embodies the essence of fall.
• Easy to Make: This recipe is straightforward, making it perfect for bakers of all skill levels.
• Versatile Treat: These cookies are great for any occasion, whether it’s holiday parties, family gatherings, or just a cozy night in.
• Soft and Chewy Texture: The cookies come out fluffy and tender, melting in your mouth with every bite.
• Delicious Icing: Drizzled with maple icing and topped with pecans, they’re not only tasty but visually appealing too.

Tools and Preparation

To make your baking experience smooth and enjoyable, gather the right tools before starting. Having everything ready will help streamline the process.

Essential Tools and Equipment

• Mixing bowl
• Electric or stand mixer
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Rubber spatula
• Cookie scoop or round measuring spoon
• Cookie sheet
• Cooling rack

Importance of Each Tool

• Mixing bowl: A good mixing bowl allows you to combine ingredients easily without spills.
• Electric or stand mixer: This tool saves time and effort when creaming butter and sugars together.
• Rubber spatula: It helps scrape down the sides of your bowl for even mixing.
• Cookie sheet: A quality cookie sheet ensures even baking without sticking.

Ingredients

Yield: 20 cookies

Ingredients:
– 2 cups all-purpose flour
– 1 & ½ teaspoons baking powder
– 1 teaspoon ground cloves
– 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
– ¼ teaspoon salt
– ¼ cup chopped pecans
– ½ cup unsalted butter at room temperature
– ¼ cup white sugar
– ¾ cup packed dark brown sugar
– 1 large egg
– 3 tablespoons maple syrup
– ⅔ cup pumpkin puree, blotted
– 1 cup powdered sugar
– ¼ cup maple syrup
– ½ teaspoon ground cloves
– ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
– ¼ cup chopped pecans

How to Make Maple Pecan Pumpkin Cookies

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the cookies.

Step 2: Prepare Your Butter

Take the unsalted butter out of the refrigerator. Let it sit at room temperature for about 20–30 minutes until it’s firm yet pliable.

Step 3: Gather Ingredients

While the butter softens, gather all your ingredients and equipment to have everything at hand.

Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a mixing bowl, combine the following:
1. Flour
2. Baking powder
3. Ground cloves
4. Ground cinnamon
5. Salt

Whisk well to ensure all dry ingredients are mixed thoroughly.

Step 5: Chop Pecans

Chop the pecans and divide them in half. One half will be mixed into the dough while the other half will be used as a topping after icing.

Step 6: Cream Butter and Sugars

In your mixing bowl, cream together:
1. Unsalted butter
2. White sugar
3. Dark brown sugar

Use an electric mixer on medium speed for about 3–5 minutes until creamy. Scrape down the sides as needed.

Step 7: Blot Pumpkin Puree

Place high-quality paper towels in a small bowl. Add pumpkin puree on top and fold over the edges to blot excess moisture.

Step 8: Combine Wet Ingredients

Add an egg, maple syrup, and the blotted pumpkin puree to your creamed mixture. Mix on medium/high speed for about two minutes until well combined.

Step 9: Mix Dry Ingredients into Wet Ingredients

Gradually add one-third of your dry mixture into your wet mixture using low speed. Repeat until all is incorporated.

Step 10: Fold in Pecans

Gently fold half of your chopped pecans into the cookie dough using a rubber spatula.

Step 11: Scoop Dough onto Cookie Sheet

Using a cookie scoop or measuring spoon, create balls of dough about two tablespoons each. Space them two inches apart on a cookie sheet.

Step 12: Bake

Bake in preheated oven for about 13–15 minutes until lightly golden around the edges.

Step 13: Cool Cookies

Once baked, transfer cookies to a cooling rack placed over another cookie sheet to catch any drips from icing later.

Step 14: Prepare Maple Icing

While cooling, whisk together:
1. Powdered sugar
2. Maple syrup
3. Ground cinnamon
4. Ground cloves

Mix until smooth.

Step 15: Ice Cookies

Once cooled, drizzle each cookie with maple icing and sprinkle with remaining chopped pecans immediately so they stick well.

Step 16: Enjoy!

These delicious Maple Pecan Pumpkin Cookies are now ready to be enjoyed! Share them with friends or savor them yourself!

How to Serve Maple Pecan Pumpkin Cookies

These delightful Maple Pecan Pumpkin Cookies are perfect for any occasion, especially during the fall season. Here are some fun and creative ways to serve them.

With a Cup of Tea or Coffee

• Enjoy your cookies warm alongside a steaming cup of herbal tea or freshly brewed coffee. The flavors complement each other beautifully.

As a Dessert Platter

• Arrange the cookies on a decorative platter with other fall-themed treats, such as mini pumpkin muffins or spiced apple slices, to create an inviting dessert table.

For a Cozy Movie Night

• Serve these cookies as a sweet snack during your next movie night. Pair them with hot chocolate for an extra cozy experience.

Gift Them

• Package a dozen cookies in a festive tin or box to give as gifts to friends and family. It’s a thoughtful way to share the warmth of the season.

At Holiday Gatherings

• Bring these cookies to potlucks or holiday parties. Their unique flavor will surely impress your guests and become a seasonal favorite.

How to Perfect Maple Pecan Pumpkin Cookies

Perfecting your Maple Pecan Pumpkin Cookies can elevate them from delicious to extraordinary. Here are some tips to ensure they come out perfectly every time.

• Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure that butter and eggs are at room temperature. This helps create a smooth batter and enhances the cookie’s texture.

• Don’t Overmix the Dough: Mix just until combined; overmixing can lead to tough cookies. Gentle folding is key when incorporating dry ingredients.

• Chill the Dough: If time allows, chill the cookie dough for about 30 minutes before baking. This helps the cookies hold their shape better and enhances flavor.

• Measure Flour Correctly: Use the spoon-and-level method for measuring flour by fluffing it first, then spooning it into your measuring cup and leveling off with a knife.

• Watch Baking Time: Keep an eye on your cookies while they bake. They should be lightly golden around the edges but still soft in the center when done.

Best Side Dishes for Maple Pecan Pumpkin Cookies

Pairing side dishes with Maple Pecan Pumpkin Cookies can enhance your dessert spread. Here are some tasty options that complement their flavors well.

1. Vanilla Ice Cream: A scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream provides a cool contrast to warm cookies.

2. Spiced Apple Cider: Serve warm spiced apple cider for a comforting drink that pairs wonderfully with pumpkin flavors.

3. Caramel Sauce: Drizzle caramel sauce over the cookies for an indulgent twist that adds richness and sweetness.

4. Cream Cheese Frosting: Offer cream cheese frosting on the side for those who enjoy an extra layer of flavor with their cookie.

5. Chai Latte: The spices in chai tea harmonize beautifully with pumpkin, making it an ideal beverage pairing.

6. Roasted Nuts: A mix of roasted nuts provides crunch and complements the pecans in the cookies while adding savory notes.

7. Fruit Salad: A refreshing fruit salad balances sweetness and adds freshness alongside your rich cookies.

8. Cheese Platter: Include mild cheeses like brie or goat cheese that pair nicely with sweet desserts for a sophisticated touch.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When baking Maple Pecan Pumpkin Cookies, it’s easy to make some common mistakes that can affect the final product. Here are a few to watch out for:

• Not using room temperature butter: Cold butter won’t cream well with sugars, leading to dense cookies. Leave butter out for 20-30 minutes before mixing.
• Overmixing the dough: This can lead to tough cookies. Mix just until ingredients are combined for a softer texture.
• Ignoring ingredient measurements: Precision is key in baking. Use dry measuring cups for flour and other dry ingredients for best results.
• Skipping the blotting step: Blotting pumpkin puree helps remove excess moisture, which can prevent cookies from spreading too much during baking.
• Not spacing cookies properly: If cookies are too close together on the baking sheet, they may merge while baking. Space them about 2 inches apart.

Storage & Reheating Instructions

Refrigerator Storage

• Store cookies in an airtight container.
• They will stay fresh for up to 5 days.

Freezing Maple Pecan Pumpkin Cookies

• Place cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze for 1 hour.
• Transfer them to a freezer-safe container; they will last up to 3 months.

Reheating Maple Pecan Pumpkin Cookies

• Oven: Preheat to 350°F and warm cookies for about 5-7 minutes for a fresh taste.
• Microwave: Heat a cookie on a microwave-safe plate for about 10-15 seconds, but be careful not to overheat.
• Stovetop: Place cookies in a skillet over low heat for about 2 minutes, flipping once.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions about making Maple Pecan Pumpkin Cookies.

Can I use other nuts instead of pecans?

You can definitely substitute walnuts or almonds if you prefer! Just chop them finely before adding them to the dough.

How do I make these cookies gluten-free?

To make gluten-free Maple Pecan Pumpkin Cookies, replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.

Can I add chocolate chips?

Yes! Feel free to mix in some chocolate chips for an extra treat. They pair wonderfully with pumpkin flavors.

What’s the best way to store leftover cookies?

Store the leftover Maple Pecan Pumpkin Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge for longer freshness.

Final Thoughts

Maple Pecan Pumpkin Cookies are not only soft and fluffy but also bursting with flavor. Their unique combination of pumpkin and maple makes them perfect for fall gatherings or cozy evenings at home. You can easily customize this recipe by adding different nuts or spices based on your preference. Enjoy these delightful treats any time!