Introduction
Is there anything more nostalgic than the cozy flavor of pumpkin spice meeting the classic campfire treat of s’mores? These two beloved flavors unite in the most delicious way possible with this recipe for Pumpkin S’mores Cookies. Imagine a soft, cake-like cookie, brimming with warm spices, and packed with gooey marshmallows and melty chocolate chunks. This is the ultimate fall dessert that will have your entire family begging for more. So, get ready to fall in love with baking all over again with these Pumpkin S’mores Cookies | Once Upon a Pumpkin.
These Pumpkin S’mores Cookies | Once Upon a Pumpkin are a unique twist on two iconic treats. They perfectly capture the essence of autumn in every single bite because they combine a soft pumpkin cookie base with the irresistible, gooey goodness of s’mores. This recipe is significant since it delivers that classic s’mores experience without ever needing a campfire, making it a year-round favorite, especially during the fall baking season. It aligns beautifully with our blog’s theme of creating easy, family-friendly recipes that turn simple ingredients into something magical. While you might love our classic Chewy Ginger Molasses Cookies, this pumpkin version offers a similarly soft texture with a completely different flavor profile. Furthermore, the use of pumpkin puree not only provides incredible moisture and flavor but also a dose of vitamin A, much like in our favorite Simple Pumpkin Bread recipe. You will find these cookies are incredibly simple to make, even though they look and taste like they came from a professional bakery.
Why I Love This Recipe
I absolutely adore this recipe because it brings together my two favorite seasonal obsessions. The moment I pull a batch of these Pumpkin S’mores Cookies | Once Upon a Pumpkin from the oven, my entire home smells like a cozy autumn day. I love how the marshmallows get perfectly toasted and the chocolate pools into little pockets of sweetness. They are my go-to treat for sharing with friends during football season, and they always disappear from the plate first at any holiday potluck.
Health and Nutrition
Why it’s good for your body
Pumpkin S’mores Cookies | Once Upon a Pumpkin deliver genuine health benefits because they start with real pumpkin puree. This superstar ingredient packs a powerful punch of vitamin A, which actively supports strong vision and a robust immune system. Pumpkin also provides a solid fiber content, so it promotes healthy digestion and helps you feel satisfied. Although they taste like a decadent dessert, these cookies supply valuable antioxidants that combat inflammation even while they delight your taste buds.
You get a natural energy lift from the marshmallows and chocolate, although the pumpkin helps balance the sugar impact. Choosing Pumpkin S’mores Cookies | Once Upon a Pumpkin means you select a treat with more inherent nutrition than many alternatives. The warming spices like cinnamon contribute their own anti-inflammatory properties, so each bite does more than just satisfy a craving. Ultimately, this creative recipe successfully weaves a nutritious vegetable into a beloved classic.
How it fits in a healthy lifestyle
Pumpkin S’mores Cookies | Once Upon a Pumpkin fit perfectly into a balanced diet when enjoyed intentionally. View them as a enjoyable part of your overall eating pattern rather than a forbidden food. You can easily adapt the recipe to meet specific dietary goals, such as using a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for a celiac-friendly version or selecting a sugar alternative. For a protein boost, try stirring in a handful of nuts to complement the sweet flavors.
Practically, baking a batch allows for portion control, so you can satisfy a craving without overindulging. Pairing a cookie with a protein source, like a glass of milk or a handful of healthy snacks, helps stabilize your energy levels. Remember, a sustainable healthy lifestyle includes all foods, and these cookies are a wonderful way to enjoy a seasonal favorite. For more ideas on incorporating treats into your routine, check out our guide on easy meal prep strategies.
Print
Pumpkin S’mores Cookies
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 12 cookies 1x
Description
Pumpkin s’mores cookies are made gluten free and with simple ingredients and delicious! Gooey, melted marshmallow and chocolate fill every bite along with the hints of pumpkin and pumpkin spice!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup creamy unsweetened almond butter
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1/4 packed cup almond flour
- 2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
- 1/2 tsp. baking soda
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1/2 cup vegan mini marshmallows**
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips or chunks
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl with a wooden spoon mix together almond butter, brown/coconut sugar, pumpkin puree, vanilla and egg until well combined. In a separate bowl whisk together almond flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda and salt.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet and stir together until all mixed together. Fold in the chocolate chips
- Place 2-3 marshmallows into your cookie scoop and then scoop up the cookie batter. You want them to be on the top of the batter but still mixed in with the cookie dough. Portion out onto the baking sheet.
- Sprinkle extra chocolate chips or chunks on each cookie if desired.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes. Remove from oven, let cool and enjoy!
Notes
For best results, use vegan mini marshmallows as they melt better. Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. The cookies will be soft and gooey when warm from the oven.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 12 mins
- Method: pumpkin recipes
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 12
- Sodium: 120
- Fat: 11
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Unsaturated Fat: 7
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 18
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 4
- Cholesterol: 16
How to Prepare This Dish
Steps and time-saving tips
First, preheat your oven and line your baking sheets with parchment paper. Meanwhile, whisk your dry ingredients together in a medium bowl; this simple step ensures your Pumpkin S’mores Cookies | Once Upon a Pumpkin bake evenly. In a separate, larger bowl, cream the softened butter with both sugars until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. Next, beat in the pumpkin puree, egg, and vanilla. Gradually add your flour mixture to the wet ingredients, and then gently fold in the chocolate chips and graham cracker pieces. For a major time-saving tip, use a cookie scoop to portion the dough; this guarantees uniformly sized cookies that bake at the same rate. Finally, press a marshmallow half onto the top of each dough ball before baking. Watch them closely in the last few minutes to achieve that perfect golden edge without burning.
Mistakes I’ve made and learned from
I have absolutely learned the hard way that using cold butter is a huge mistake for these Pumpkin S’mores Cookies | Once Upon a Pumpkin. It simply does not cream properly with the sugars, which resulted in a dense, flat cookie that spread way too much. Now, I always ensure my butter is properly softened to room temperature for the perfect texture. Another challenge was my marshmallows, which initially melted into a puddle and burned. The simple fix is to press them onto the dough balls right before they go into the oven, not before. For more on getting ingredients to the right consistency, check out my guide on ingredient preparation tips. If you love the pumpkin and chocolate combo, you must try my pumpkin chocolate chip bread next.
Cultural Connection and Variations
Where this recipe comes from
This recipe feels like a warm hug from two distinct American traditions. It marries the cozy, spiced essence of autumn baking with the nostalgic, gooey joy of a campfire classic. The pumpkin part of the story often begins in home kitchens when the air turns crisp, a time for baking pies and loaves that fill the house with the scent of cinnamon and nutmeg. Meanwhile, the s’more is a tale of summer, of sticky fingers and laughter under the stars, a treat so beloved it has transcended its seasonal origins.
Creating the Pumpkin S’mores Cookies | Once Upon a Pumpkin was a natural next step, because it captures that magical feeling of gathering around a fire and wraps it in the comforting flavors of fall. While many families have their own secret pie recipe or argue over the perfect marshmallow roast, this cookie becomes a new shared tradition. It is a personal twist that honors both histories, offering a delicious bridge between seasons and memories. The Pumpkin S’mores Cookies | Once Upon a Pumpkin recipe is a beautiful fusion that speaks to our love for comfort and innovation.
This cookie has found a perfect home in modern cooking, especially as we seek recipes that multitask for holidays, bake sales, and simple weeknight treats. It remains incredibly relevant because it delivers the iconic flavors of the season in a portable, shareable form that is often easier than baking a whole pie. You can easily find a place for Pumpkin S’mores Cookies | Once Upon a Pumpkin on a Halloween party platter or packed into a lunchbox for a sweet surprise.
Today’s cooks are also creatively adapting the concept, even though the core idea stays the same. Some might use a graham cracker crust base for a bar version, while others fold in white chocolate chips for an extra layer of sweetness. For another fantastic seasonal baking project that uses similar warm spices, our popular Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls are a reader favorite. The beauty of this recipe is its flexibility; it fits right into our current love for mash-ups and personalized bakes. And if you love the combination of fruit and cozy spices, you will appreciate the flavors in our classic Apple Crisp, which shares that same homestyle comfort.
>Taste and Texture
What makes it delicious
These Pumpkin S’mores Cookies | Once Upon a Pumpkin deliver a spectacular sensory experience from the very first bite. You immediately encounter the warm, fragrant aroma of toasted graham cracker and cozy pumpkin spice, which perfectly complements the rich, melted chocolate. The texture offers a masterful contrast of crisp edges and a wonderfully soft, chewy center that stays tender for days. Each cookie features gooey marshmallow bits that melt into sweet, creamy pockets, while the semi-sweet chocolate chunks provide a luxurious, melty richness that balances the earthy sweetness of the pumpkin puree. The graham cracker crust base adds a satisfying, sandy crunch, creating a delightful textural journey in every single mouthful. This cookie truly captures the nostalgic essence of a classic s’more, all while the warm, comforting embrace of autumn’s favorite flavor envelops it. Ultimately, the Pumpkin S’mores Cookies | Once Upon a Pumpkin become an irresistible treat because they harmoniously blend the campfire favorite with the cozy, spiced notes of fall baking.
Boosting the flavor
You can easily boost the flavor of your Pumpkin S’mores Cookies | Once Upon a Pumpkin with a few simple tweaks. For a deeper, more complex spice profile, try adding a tiny pinch of black pepper or a dash of cardamom to your pumpkin spice blend, as these warm notes will beautifully highlight the pumpkin. Consider using dark chocolate chunks instead of semi-sweet for a more intense, less sugary chocolate experience that pairs wonderfully with the warm spices. You can also drizzle the cooled cookies with a simple vanilla glaze or a salted caramel sauce for an extra layer of decadent sweetness. For a truly next-level finish, serve your cookie slightly warm with a scoop of our No-Churn Vanilla Bean Ice Cream because the cold, creamy ice cream melting into the warm, spiced cookie is pure magic. If you find yourself with extra pumpkin puree, incorporating it into our favorite Pumpkin Spice Latte Cupcakes is a fantastic way to continue the autumnal baking adventure.
Tips for Success
Best practices for results
Always chill your dough for at least one hour before baking, because this prevents the cookies from spreading too thin and ensures a perfectly thick and chewy texture. Use parchment paper on your baking sheets for best results, as it promotes even baking and prevents the bottoms from browning too quickly. For the most vibrant pumpkin flavor, make sure to use pure pumpkin puree and not pumpkin pie filling, which contains added sugars and spices. Press your marshmallows and chocolate pieces gently into the top of each Pumpkin S’mores Cookies | Once Upon a Pumpkin dough ball right after they come out of the oven for the perfect gooey finish.
Mistakes to avoid
Avoid overmixing your cookie dough once you add the dry ingredients, even though it might be tempting to keep stirring, because overworking the gluten will lead to a tougher cookie. Do not skip the step of toasting your marshmallows slightly before adding them to the dough, as this unlocks their classic s’mores flavor and prevents them from becoming too liquidy in the oven. Be careful not to overbake your cookies, so pull them out when the edges are just set but the centers still look soft; they will continue to firm up as they cool on the hot baking sheet. Remember that properly measuring your flour is crucial for success, so always use the spoon-and-level method outlined in our guide on how to measure flour to avoid dense cookies. If your cookies are spreading too much, your butter was likely too soft, so for more tips on managing ingredients, check out our article on common baking mistakes and how to fix them.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
How to serve this dish
Present your freshly baked Pumpkin S’mores Cookies | Once Upon a Pumpkin on a rustic wooden board for a charming, homespun feel. Alternatively, stack them high on a vintage cake stand to create a stunning centerpiece. For a special touch, place a small bowl of extra marshmallow fluff or melted chocolate for dipping. Consequently, these cookies are perfect for autumn gatherings, holiday cookie swaps, or as a sweet finale to a casual family dinner. They also make a memorable treat for Halloween parties or a cozy Thanksgiving dessert.
