Introduction
Is there anything cozier than the warm, spiced aroma of pumpkin baking? Now imagine that classic fall flavor combined with the nostalgic, gooey delight of a s’more. That’s the exact magic we’re creating today with these incredible Pumpkin S’mores Cookies. They are the ultimate autumnal treat, perfectly capturing the essence of the season in one delicious bite. So get ready to fall in love with your new favorite cookie that brings a campfire favorite straight into your kitchen.
These Pumpkin S’mores Cookies are a clever and delicious mashup of two beloved classics. They feature a soft, cake-like pumpkin cookie base, generously spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg. Each cookie gets stuffed with a piece of milk chocolate and then topped with a fluffy marshmallow that we toast to golden-brown perfection. This combination is truly significant because it transforms a summer staple into a perfect fall dessert, making it ideal for everything from Halloween parties to Thanksgiving gatherings. It aligns perfectly with our blog’s mission of creating quick, impressive recipes that spark joy, even though they use simple techniques. If you’re looking for more ways to use that can of pumpkin puree, you must try our famous One-Bowl Pumpkin Bread. Furthermore, if you adore the s’mores flavor profile, our S’mores Brownies are another crowd-pleasing hit that you can whip up in no time.
Why I Love This Recipe
I absolutely adore this recipe because it combines my two favorite food seasons into one perfect treat. I always get a wave of nostalgia from the taste of s’mores, reminding me of summer nights, while the pumpkin spice makes me excited for crisp autumn days. They are also incredibly fun to make, especially when I get to toast the marshmallows under the broiler. Seeing that gooey, toasted topping never fails to bring a smile to my face, and sharing them with friends always creates the best reactions.
Health and Nutrition
Why it’s good for your body
Pumpkin S’mores Cookies offer a surprising number of nutritional benefits because they feature real pumpkin puree. This key ingredient is a fantastic source of vitamin A, which is essential for supporting healthy vision and a strong immune system. While these are indeed a treat, they also provide a dose of dietary fiber from the pumpkin and graham cracker elements, so they can help you feel more satisfied. Even though they contain sugar, the inclusion of pumpkin means you are getting valuable nutrients like potassium and antioxidants in every bite. These cookies deliver a comforting flavor experience while also contributing to your daily nutrient intake. Although they are sweet, Pumpkin S’mores Cookies are a more thoughtful choice than many other desserts because of their wholesome components. You can enjoy them knowing they provide some nutritional value. Therefore, each Pumpkin S’mores cookie is a small step towards meeting your body’s needs.
How it fits in a healthy lifestyle
These cookies fit perfectly into a balanced diet when enjoyed in moderation as a mindful treat. They satisfy a sweet craving without derailing your progress, especially when paired with a source of protein like a glass of milk. For those with specific dietary goals, the recipe is easily adaptable. You can use a gluten-free flour blend to make them celiac-friendly or a sugar alternative to reduce the carbohydrate content. Incorporating them into your routine is simple; enjoy one as an afternoon snack with a piece of fruit or as a planned dessert after a nutritious meal. This approach to meal prep snacks helps prevent overindulgence and supports consistent energy levels throughout your day. Pumpkin S’mores Cookies prove that health-conscious eating doesn’t require sacrificing flavor or fun.
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Pumpkin S’mores Cookies
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Description
These pumpkin s’mores cookies are soft, chewy, and loaded with chocolate and marshmallows. They’re the perfect fall treat!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup mini marshmallows
- 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream together butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in pumpkin puree, egg, and vanilla extract until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Fold in chocolate chips, marshmallows, and graham cracker crumbs.
- Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto prepared baking sheets, spacing about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden.
- Allow cookies to cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.
Notes
For best results, use fresh pumpkin puree. Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. These cookies freeze well for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Method: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 12
- Sodium: 120
- Fat: 6
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Unsaturated Fat: 2
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 22
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 2
- Cholesterol: 15
How to Prepare This Dish
Steps and time-saving tips
First, preheat your oven to 350°F and line your baking sheets with parchment paper. Meanwhile, whisk your dry ingredients—flour, pumpkin spice, baking soda, and salt—in a medium bowl and set it aside. In a separate large bowl, cream the softened butter with both sugars until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. Next, beat in the pumpkin puree, egg, and vanilla until everything is perfectly combined. Gradually add your flour mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring just until you no longer see any dry streaks. For a major time-saving tip, use a cookie scoop to portion the dough; this ensures every Pumpkin S’mores Cookie bakes evenly and saves you from messy hands. Gently press a few marshmallow bits and chocolate pieces into the top of each dough ball before baking. Finally, bake your cookies for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges look beautifully set.
Mistakes I’ve made and learned from
I once made the classic mistake of using cold, hard butter straight from the fridge, which resulted in my cookies spreading way too thin in the oven. Now, I always make sure my butter is properly softened to room temperature for the perfect chewy texture. Another challenge was my marshmallows; they would sometimes melt into a puddle and burn. I learned that pressing them into the top of the dough ball, rather than mixing them in, gives you that perfect gooey pocket without the char. For more on getting your ingredients just right, check out my guide on ingredient prep hacks. If you love the combination of pumpkin and chocolate, you must try my pumpkin chocolate chip bread next.
Cultural Connection and Variations
Where this recipe comes from
Every great recipe tells a story, and Pumpkin S’mores Cookies are a beautiful culinary mash-up of two beloved American traditions. The story begins around a campfire, where the classic s’more was born from the simple joy of toasting marshmallows and sandwiching them with chocolate between graham crackers. Meanwhile, in home kitchens across the country, the arrival of crisp autumn air signals the start of pumpkin spice season, a flavor deeply woven into the fabric of fall holidays and family gatherings.
This recipe represents a moment of pure, creative inspiration when someone decided to bring the cozy, nostalgic campfire treat indoors and marry it with the warm, spiced essence of a pumpkin patch. Although you won’t find its origins in a specific country or region, it feels deeply personal and familiar. Many families now have their own version of Pumpkin S’mores Cookies, often baked on a chilly weekend afternoon, filling the house with an aroma that somehow captures the very soul of autumn in a single, gooey bite.
Pumpkin S’mores Cookies have carved out a special niche in modern baking because they perfectly capture the spirit of seasonal, shareable treats. They are a staple for Halloween parties, Thanksgiving dessert spreads, and any casual get-together where comfort food is the main guest. Today’s home cooks are constantly reimagining them, perhaps by adding a dash of cayenne pepper for a subtle kick or by using a vegan chocolate alternative to make them inclusive for all diets.
Their popularity also stems from their versatility within our everyday cooking routines. You can whip up a batch quickly for an after-school snack or package them beautifully as a heartfelt homemade gift. The beauty of this recipe lies in its adaptability; while the base is wonderfully consistent, bakers love to put their own spin on it. For those looking to explore another classic with a twist, the process is similar to creating the ultimate soft gingerbread cookie, where tradition meets personal preference to create something new and memorable for today’s table.
>Taste and Texture
What makes it delicious
These Pumpkin S’mores Cookies deliver a spectacular sensory experience, beginning with their warm and inviting aroma. As you take your first bite, you are greeted by a wonderfully chewy and tender cookie base that is rich with the earthy sweetness of pumpkin and the warm fragrance of cinnamon and nutmeg. The center becomes a gooey paradise because melted milk chocolate and a marshmallow half create an irresistibly creamy and rich pocket. Each mouthful is a perfect harmony of autumn and campfire nostalgia, offering a delightful contrast between the soft, cake-like cookie and the crisp, crackly edge of a toasted marshmallow. The graham cracker pieces embedded throughout provide a satisfying, buttery crunch that anchors the entire treat, ensuring every single element shines. Ultimately, the magic of these Pumpkin S’mores Cookies lies in their complex texture and deep, comforting flavors that make them impossible to resist.
Boosting the flavor
You can easily elevate your Pumpkin S’mores Cookies with a few clever tweaks. Consider rolling the dough balls in crushed ginger snaps before baking because this adds a spicy crunch that complements the pumpkin. For an even more decadent experience, drizzle the cooled cookies with a simple salted caramel sauce, which introduces a buttery sweetness that cuts through the richness. A pinch of cayenne pepper in the dough creates a surprising and delightful warmth, although you should use it sparingly. Swapping the milk chocolate for a dark chocolate bar provides a deeper, less sweet flavor profile that balances the marshmallow’s sweetness. For the ultimate finish, serve your cookies slightly warm alongside a glass of cold salted caramel milkshake for a dreamy dessert pairing. If you enjoy the warm spices in this recipe, you might also love the blend in our pumpkin spice latte cupcakes for another seasonal treat.
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 helps them maintain a wonderfully soft and chewy texture. Use a cookie scoop for uniform size so each Pumpkin S’mores Cookie bakes evenly and you achieve a consistent look for your batch. Press a few extra marshmallow bits and chocolate pieces onto the tops of the dough balls right before they go into the oven, which guarantees a bakery-style appearance with plenty of gooey goodness in every single bite.
Mistakes to avoid
A common error is using marshmallows that are too large, even though they seem like a good idea, because they can melt completely and cause the cookies to burn or become overly sticky. Instead, opt for mini marshmallows or chop standard-sized ones to ensure they distribute evenly without creating a mess. Another frequent mistake involves overmixing the dough after adding the dry ingredients, which can lead to a tough and dense cookie rather than the soft and cake-like texture you want for your Pumpkin S’mores Cookies. For perfect results every time, mix just until the flour disappears, and always remember that properly measuring your flour is crucial for the right dough consistency. Additionally, although it is tempting to bake all the cookies at once on a single sheet, overcrowding the pan will cause them to steam instead of bake, so for the best technique, always refer to our guide on how to bake perfect cookies every single time.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
How to serve this dish
For a truly memorable presentation, serve your Pumpkin S’mores Cookies warm on a rustic wooden board. Consequently, the cozy aesthetic perfectly matches their autumnal flavor. Moreover, a light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of melted chocolate makes them look as incredible as they taste.
These Pumpkin S’m
ores Cookies are the ultimate crowd-pleaser for any gathering. They are ideal for holiday parties, casual weekend brunches, or even a festive Halloween celebration. Ultimately, placing a stack at the center of your dessert table is guaranteed to inspire joy.What goes well with it
A cold glass of milk is a timeless pairing that wonderfully balances the warm spices and gooey marshmallow in these cookies. Alternatively, for a more sophisticated twist, a cup of our slow cooker spiced apple cider provides a complementary flavor profile that enhances the entire autumn experience.
If you are planning a larger dessert spread, consider serving these cookies alongside a lighter option. For instance, a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a slice of our famous pumpkin cheesecake creates a delightful contrast in textures and temperatures, making every bite exciting.
Let your Pumpkin S’mores Cookies cool completely on the baking sheet. This allows the marshmallow to set and prevents residual heat from creating steam, which is the main cause of sogginess. Storing them in an airtight container with a piece of bread can also help absorb any excess moisture.
For baking, the best method is to let the oven do the work. Place the marshmallow pieces directly onto the cookie dough before or during baking. The oven’s heat will melt them perfectly into the Pumpkin S’mores Cookies, creating those classic gooey pools without the mess of stovetop melting.
Yes, you can use marshmallow fluff as a fun alternative. Dollop a small amount onto each ball of dough right before baking. Be aware that fluff can spread and melt differently than whole marshmallows, so keep an eye on your cookies to prevent over-browning.
A cakey texture often results from using too much flour or overmixing the dough, which develops extra gluten. For chewier cookies, ensure you measure your flour correctly and mix just until the ingredients combine. The pumpkin puree in this recipe adds moisture that naturally lends a soft, cake-like crumb to these particular cookies.
