Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Published September 12, 2020. Updated October 26, 2023

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Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies are one of my all time favorite cookies! These are amazingly soft, perfectly pumpkin-y, irresistibly spiced. Plus, the chocolate chips add that decadence you love in a cozy fall cookie. 

Image of pumpkin chocolate chip cookies stacked on a white serving plate.

The Best Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

These chewy pumpkin cookies have that old-fashioned flair—just like grandma’s! They make for an easy treat, or even a breakfast. We won’t tell.

They’re a soft, cakey, melt-in-your-mouth kind of cookie. If they haven’t already become a family favorite that you make every fall season, they will soon.

They have a unique, incredible flavor and they’re an easy-to-make treat. Always a must on the fall baking list (or if you are like me you may just show up to the beach with them in the summer too, because why not?).

Pumpkin chocolate chip cookies shown overhead on a white baking sheet.Image of ingredients used to make pumpkin chocolate chip cookies. Includes flour, white sugar, brown sugar, egg, spices, vanilla, chocolate chips, vanilla, baking powder, baking soda and pumpkin.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies Ingredients

  • All-purpose flour: I like to use unbleached all-purpose flour.
  • Baking powder and baking soda: The blend of the two leavening agents gives these cookies the perfect lift.
  • Cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves: Or use pumpkin pie spice.
  • Salt: Be careful not to forget it or cookies will taste so flat.
  • Granulated sugar and brown sugar: The blend of the two gives the cookies perfect sweetness and texture.
  • Vegetable oil: Another option would be melted coconut oil.
  • Egg: This helps hold the cookies together.
  • Vanilla: What’s a cookie without it? It adds a nice background flavor.
  • Canned pumpkin: We use plenty here because we want them to taste like pumpkin cookies.
  • Chocolate chips: I like to use semi-sweet but milk chocolate would be fine too if that’s what you prefer.

Collage of six images showing how to make pumpkin chocolate chip cookie batter. Shows mixing flour and spices, mixing sugar and oils, blending in egg then pumpkin and mixing in flour mixture with wet mixture. Collage of four images showing continued steps of making pumpkin chocolate chip cookie batter. Shows folding in chocolate chips, batter upon completion and scooping batter on to baking sheet using a cookie scoop.

How to Make Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

  • Preheat oven, and prepare baking sheets: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheets with silicone liners or parchment.
  • Whisk dry ingredients: Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and spices.
  • Cream sugars and fat: In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, blend together granulated sugar, brown sugar and vegetable oil until combined.
  • Mix in binders: Mix in egg and vanilla then blend in pumpkin.
  • Blend in dry ingredients, then chocolate chips: With mixer on low speed, slowly add in flour mixture and mix just until nearly combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed (batter will be pretty wet).
  • Fold in chocolate chips.
  • Divide batter among baking sheets: Drop dough 2 Tbsp at a time (using a cookie scoop or 2 spoons) onto baking sheets spacing 2-inches apart.
  • Bake: Bake in preheated oven until nearly set, about 12 minutes.
  • Cool: Let cool on wire rack. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.

Twelve pumpkin chocolate chip cookies shown on a baking sheet on parchment paper after baking. Overhead close up image of pumpkin cookie.

Tips for the Best Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

  • Use canned pumpkin not fresh for best consistency.
  • DON’T use canned “pumpkin pie filling”, it has added sweeteners and spices.
  • Substitute mini chocolate chips if desired.
  • Line baking sheets with parchment paper, don’t grease or cookies will spread and brown too much.
  • Careful not to over-mix dough. Once you add the flour don’t overdue it or the cookies will be flatter.
  • Expect a sticky dough. That’s why we just drop the dough instead of rolling it.
  • Watch that you don’t under-bake the cookies or they’ll taste raw, and don’t over-bake or they won’t be soft and moist.\

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies stacked on a plate and shown overhead.

Can I Use Pumpkin Pie Spice Instead?

If you don’t have all the spices here you can definitely use pumpkin pie spice instead. Omit cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves, and use 2 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice.

Can I Substitute with Butter?

If you are looking for a butter-based pumpkin cookie use my other recipe HERE, fold in chocolate chips and omit the frosting.

Can Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies Be Frozen?

Yes, these cookies freeze well for up to 2 months. The only thing is that the chocolate chips may frost over a bit and the color may change slightly so if you are going for best appearance then don’t freeze.

More Pumpkin Cookie Recipes You’ll Love

16 Quick & Easy 30 Minute Recipes! (plus weekly recipe updates)

Image of pumpkin chocolate chip cookies stacked on a white serving plate.
4.99 from 106 votes

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

These cookies are so soft, perfectly pumpkiny and you'll love all those sweet and tempting autumn spices. And let's not forget about the abundance of decadent semi-sweet chocolate chips these cookies are swirled with, they just take them over the top! This is a staple fall recipe!
Servings: 30 cookies
Prep15 minutes
Cook35 minutes
Ready in: 50 minutes

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheets with silicone baking mats or parchment paper. 
  • In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves and salt for 20 seconds, set aside.
  • In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, blend together granulated sugar, brown sugar and vegetable oil until combined. 
  • Mix in egg and vanilla then blend in pumpkin puree. 
  • With mixer on low speed, slowly add in flour mixture and mix just until nearly combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed (batter will be pretty wet). 
  • With a rubber spatula, fold in chocolate chips while folding batter to evenly combined. 
  • Drop dough 2 Tbsp (either using a medium cookie dough scoop or using two spoons) at a time onto baking sheets lined with Silcone liners or parchment paper, spacing cookies two inches apart. 
  • Bake in preheated oven until cookies are nearly set about 11 - 13 minutes. 
  • Allow to cool several minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool. 
  • Store in a single layer in an airtight container (these are best once they've rested in an airtight container a few hours, they soften throughout).

Notes

  • Use canned pumpkin for consistent results.
  • Substitute 2 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice for the spices listed here if that's what you've got. Or feel free to increase spices listed, I usually like to add 2 tsp cinnamon now.
Nutrition Facts
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
Amount Per Serving
Calories 147 Calories from Fat 63
% Daily Value*
Fat 7g11%
Saturated Fat 5g31%
Cholesterol 5mg2%
Sodium 74mg3%
Potassium 125mg4%
Carbohydrates 18g6%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 10g11%
Protein 1g2%
Vitamin A 695IU14%
Vitamin C 0.7mg1%
Calcium 28mg3%
Iron 1.1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Nutrition values are estimates only. See full disclaimer here.

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295 Comments

  • Whitney W.

    Best cookies for the season! I just made a double batch. Are these okay to freeze for a bit as well or not such a good idea!? Let me know.

    Also thank you SO MUCH for sharing such a wonderful recipe 💜

    • Jaclyn

      Jaclyn Bell

      They do freeze well. They can get a little sticky on the exterior after thawing but still very delicious.

  • Dave

    Do you think after making the dough, letting it chill overnight in the refrigerator would develop the flavors more, like with regular chocolate chip cookie dough?

  • Allie

    Baked these for a Halloween party tonight. I ate one off the cooling rack and the cookie tasted great. Only question is how you’re able to get 30 cookies from the recipe because I ended up making 17 with the 2 TBSP measurement. Love your recipes!

    • Jaclyn

      Jaclyn Bell

      I’m not sure why you didn’t get as many, sorry about that! Did you use level 2 Tbsp or heaping? A #40 cookie scoop works pretty well and it’s 1.5 tbsp I believe so I do just a little extra. Glad you enjoyed them though!

  • Payton

    I made these cookies last year with butterscotch chips and have dreamed of having them again since then! Absolutely my favorite cookie ever; I love the texture!

  • Katherine

    Great directions and excellent proportions! worked perfectly! I subscribed! Can’t wait to try more recipes!

  • Rhonda

    I like these b/c they have a lot of pumpkin so they’re a bit healthier. They’re okay right out of the oven, but let them cool & store. A day and a half later they’ll be one of the best cookies you’ve ever eaten. Please add ‘jump to recipe’ link, it’s difficult to get to the actual recipe through all the ads.

    • Jaclyn

      Jaclyn Bell

      There is a “recipe” button near the top of the page that will jump you down to it. :) I’m so glad you thought them to be one of the best!

  • Brittany

    These are the best pumpkin chocolate chip cookies! I made them two days ago and my family has requested another batch.