Pumpkin Cookies with Cake Mix are the ultimate fall shortcut dessert — soft, spiced, and perfectly pumpkin-y cookies made with just a box of spice cake mix and a few simple ingredients, then topped with a luscious cinnamon cream cheese frosting. This recipe is a celebration of easy, seasonal baking, where the warm spices of a spice cake mix meet real pumpkin puree for a cookie that’s tender, moist, and bursting with autumn flavor. The magic begins with a simple three-ingredient dough — cake mix, eggs, and pumpkin — that comes together in minutes. Scooped and baked until soft and golden, the cookies are then crowned with a creamy, tangy cinnamon cream cheese frosting that takes them over the top.
The brilliance of these cookies lies in their simplicity and the way the pumpkin keeps them incredibly moist and soft. The frosting adds a rich, tangy contrast that perfectly complements the warm spices of the cookie. Whether you’re baking for a fall gathering, a holiday cookie platter, or just because you’re craving something pumpkin-spiced, these cookies are guaranteed to be a hit.
WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE
- Only 3 ingredients for the cookies — cake mix, eggs, and pumpkin are all you need.
- Soft, moist, and perfectly spiced — the pumpkin keeps them tender for days.
- Creamy cinnamon cream cheese frosting — tangy, sweet, and the perfect finishing touch.
- Quick and easy — ready in under 30 minutes with minimal cleanup.
- Perfect for fall — a seasonal treat that everyone will love.
INGREDIENTS
For the Cookies:
- 1 box (15.25 ounces) spice cake mix (such as Duncan Hines)
- 2 large eggs
- ⅓ cup pumpkin puree (plain canned pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
For the Frosting:
- 8 ounces full-fat cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, divided
INSTRUCTIONS
Step 1: Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2: Make the Cookie Dough
In a large mixing bowl, combine the spice cake mix, eggs, pumpkin puree, and optional vanilla extract. Mix with a fork, hand mixer, or stand mixer until combined. The dough will be wet and sticky like a thick batter — do not add flour, oil, or water from the cake mix box directions.
Step 3: Scoop and Bake
Scoop heaping tablespoonfuls of dough onto the parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between them. Gently pat the tops down slightly. Bake for 9 to 10 minutes, until the edges look lightly golden and the centers are set.
Step 4: Cool the Cookies
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
Step 5: Make the Frosting
While the cookies cool, beat the softened cream cheese and softened butter together on low speed in a medium bowl until smooth and free of lumps. Add the powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, and ¼ teaspoon of the cinnamon, then beat until smooth and spreadable.
Step 6: Frost and Serve
Spoon or spread the frosting over the cooled cookies, sprinkle with the remaining ¼ teaspoon cinnamon if desired, and serve right away.
TIPS
- Use plain pumpkin puree — not pumpkin pie filling, which is sweetened and spiced.
- Don’t add the cake mix box ingredients — this recipe uses only the dry mix, eggs, and pumpkin.
- Don’t overbake — the cookies should be soft and slightly underdone in the center for the best texture.
- Soften the cream cheese and butter — room temperature ingredients blend much smoother for the frosting.
- Chill the frosting — if it’s too soft, pop it in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes before spreading.
STORAGE OPTIONS
Refrigerator: Store frosted cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Bring to room temperature before serving.
Freezer: Freeze unfrosted cookies for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature and frost before serving.
Pumpkin Cookies with Cake Mix are a soft, spiced, and utterly delicious fall treat that comes together in minutes. With their creamy cinnamon frosting and moist pumpkin crumb, they’re a cookie that everyone will love. Enjoy!
