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If pumpkin season has you craving something cozy but a little extra special, these Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies are just what you need. Imagine a soft, spiced pumpkin cookie that’s rolled in pumpkin spice sugar, then stuffed with a creamy cheesecake center that stays rich and tangy with every bite. They’re basically two desserts in one, and honestly? They taste just like fall wrapped up in a cookie. If you love that combination but want something you can slice and share, my caramel pumpkin cheesecake bars are the pan version.
What makes these fluffy pumpkin cookies even better is how surprisingly simple they are. You can prep the tangy cheesecake filling ahead of time, blot the pumpkin to keep things chewy instead of cakey, and end up with beautiful cookies that look like they came straight from a bakery. That blotting step is the same one behind my blotted pumpkin snickerdoodle cookies, and it is what separates a chewy pumpkin cookie from a cakey one every time.
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I’ve spent years perfecting fall cookies in my own kitchen, and pumpkin is hands-down one of my favorite flavors to bake with. My classic pumpkin cheesecake is the recipe that started it all, and these cheesecake-stuffed pumpkin cookies started as a little experiment to get that same flavor into something handheld. Could a soft, spiced pumpkin cookie hold a rich, creamy cheese center without falling apart? After a few tries (and a LOT of taste testing), I finally got them just right.
What I love the most is how versatile they are. You can prep the cheesecake filling ahead of time, swap in your favorite mix-ins the way I did with my brown butter pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, or even tweak the spices to suit your taste. And if you want the pumpkin cheesecake flavor with a chocolate base instead, I put it on a dark chocolate Crumbl copycat too. Honestly baking these cookies feels like a cozy little ritual for me at this point, and I can’t wait for you to try them at home and see why they’ve become a fall favorite in my kitchen!
Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you will need to make these cheesecake-stuffed pumpkin cookies. Scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of the page for the detailed ingredient measurements.
Cheesecake Filling
- Full-fat Cream Cheese: the star of the filling, creating a tangy center that balances the sweet, spiced cookie.
- Granulated Sugar: sweetens the filling just enough without overpowering the cream cheese’s tang.
- Vanilla Extract: enhances the cheesecake flavor.
Pumpkin Cookies
- Pure Pumpkin Puree: provides pumpkin flavor and moisture. You will need to blot it dry with a paper towel so that we don’t get cakey cookies.
- All-purpose Flour: gives the soft cookies their sturdy texture.
- Pumpkin Pie Spice: brings all the cozy fall flavors into every bite.
- Cinnamon: adds an extra layer of flavor.
- Baking Soda & Baking Powder: are the leavening agents that lift the cookies and make them airy.
- Salt: balances sweetness and makes the spices pop.
- Unsalted Butter: provides richness and tenderness. You’ll want it softened.
- Light Brown Sugar: adds sweetness and a subtle molasses note for chewy texture.
- Egg Yolks: contribute richness to the chewy pumpkin cookies and help bind the dough without adding too much extra moisture.
- Vanilla Extract or Vanilla Bean Paste: rounds out the flavors.
Pumpkin Spice Sugar Coating
- Granulated Sugar: creates a sparkly, sweet coating with a little crunch.
- Pumpkin Pie Spice: adds an extra hit of warm fall spices.
How to Make Cheesecake Pumpkin Cookies
Here is how to make these pumpkin cream cheese cookies. Scroll down to the recipe card at the end of this post for the oven temp, baking time, and full step-by-step instructions!
Make the Cheesecake Filling
- Beat the softened cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla together with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until smooth and creamy.
- Scoop the mixture into small 2-teaspoon mounds and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. This is the scoop I used for these! Freeze the cheesecake balls for 30–60 minutes until firm.
Prepare the Cookie Dough
- Spread the pumpkin puree onto a plate lined with paper towels and blot well to remove excess moisture. You should end up with just under ¼ cup of puree.
- In a medium bowl, whisk to combine the flour, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- In a separate large bowl, cream the butter and brown sugar with a hand mixer until light and fluffy.
- Mix in the blotted pumpkin, egg yolks, and vanilla until fully incorporated.
- Slowly add the dry ingredients, stirring until just combined. The dough should be slightly sticky but still hold its shape.
Assemble and Bake
- Preheat the oven and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a small bowl, stir together the sugar and pumpkin pie spice for the coating.
- Scoop about 2 tablespoons of dough, flatten it gently in between the palm of your hand, and place a frozen cheesecake ball in the center. Wrap the dough around the filling, sealing it completely, then roll it into a smooth ball in the palm of your hand.
- Coat the cookie dough balls in the pumpkin-spiced sugar mixture and place on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches of space between the cookie balls.
- Bake until the tops of the pumpkin cheesecake cookies look set and the edges are lightly firm. The centers should remain soft but not raw.
- Let the baked cookies cool on the cookie sheet for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips and Tricks for the Best Results
- Use a kitchen scale instead of measuring cups to weigh your ingredients with better accuracy.
- Pulling your refrigerated ingredients out early so that they warm up to room temp will help them combine more easily with the other ingredients.
- Blotting the pumpkin well is key! Too much liquid makes the dough cakey instead of chewy. Squeeze out as much moisture as possible.
- Don’t skip chilling the cream cheese balls. They don’t need to be frozen solid, but they should be firm enough that they don’t stick everywhere when touched. This keeps them intact and prevents them from oozing out as the cookies bake.
- If the pumpkin cookie dough feels too soft or sticky, pop the bowl in the fridge for 20–30 minutes to make shaping easier.
- Seal the dough tightly and make sure no cream cheese filling is peeking out before baking, or it may leak.
- Don’t overbake. It’s ok if the centers look slightly underdone when you pull them from the oven. They’ll continue to bake as they cool.
- These cookies taste best when served slightly cold, thanks to the cream cheese center. If you plan to eat them right away, put them in the fridge for 15 minutes once they reach room temperature to chill them briefly. My Crumbl pumpkin pie cookies are the same way, so build in a little chill time for both.
Why make this Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookie recipe?
- It’s the perfect fall treat for every pumpkin lover.
- They combine spiced pumpkin cookies with a creamy cheesecake filling for the ultimate hybrid dessert.
- They look bakery-worthy, but the steps are easy and only require simple ingredients.
- It’s one of the best pumpkin desserts that you can make for this holiday season.
Frequently asked questions – FAQ
Can I use pumpkin pie filling instead of pumpkin puree?
No, pumpkin pie filling typically contains added sugar and spices that can alter the pumpkin cheesecake cookies. Always use plain pumpkin puree for the best texture and blot it to remove excess moisture.
Why did my cream cheese leak out while baking?
This usually means the cookie dough wasn’t sealed tightly around the filling. Make sure there are no gaps before rolling the dough ball.
Flavor Variations
- Fold mini chocolate chips into the cookie dough, as I do in my Crumbl pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, or drizzle melted dark chocolate over the cooled cookies.
- Swap the vanilla in the cheesecake filling for maple extract.
- After baking, drizzle melted white chocolate over the tops for a bakery-style finish.
- Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the cookie dough for extra crunch.
- Mix in a little ground ginger or crystallized ginger pieces for a spicier, gingersnap-inspired flavor.
- Drizzle homemade caramel sauce over the cookies right before serving for a rich, indulgent touch.
How can I make my own pumpkin pie spice?
To make your own, you’ll need a blend of cinnamon, cloves, allspice, and nutmeg. Follow my from scratch pumpkin pie spice recipe for exact measurements on how to create the perfect amount of pumpkin spice.
Can I prepare this cheesecake pumpkin cookie recipe ahead of time?
You can prep both the cheesecake filling and dough in advance and chill them separately until ready to bake.
How do I store my leftover cookies?
For the best storage, keep the cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
More Pumpkin Recipe Favorites
If you tried these Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the comments! I love hearing from you!
Pumpkin Cheesecake Cookies
Equipment
Ingredients
Cheesecake Filling
- 6 oz cream cheese cold
- 2.5 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Pumpkin Cookies
- 1/2 cup canned pumpkin puree blot until reduced by about half.
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter softened
- 3/4 cup light brown sugar packed
- 2 large egg yolks at room temp
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
Pumpkin Spice Sugar Coating
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
Instructions
Prep Cheesecake Filling
- Mix cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until smooth and creamy.6 oz cream cheese, 2.5 tbsp granulated sugar, 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- Scoop into 2-tsp balls, place on a parchment-lined sheet, and freeze for at least 30 minutes, until firm.
Prepare Cookie Dough
- Spread pumpkin puree on a plate and blot. Replace the paper towels and repeat until it measures just under half. (1/4 cup per single batch)1/2 cup canned pumpkin puree
- Whisk flour, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp salt
- Cream butter and brown sugar until fluffy (~2 min).3/4 cup unsalted butter, 3/4 cup light brown sugar
- Mix in pumpkin puree, egg yolks, and vanilla until combined.2 large egg yolks, 2 tsp vanilla extract
- Gradually add dry ingredients until just combined. Dough should be slightly sticky but firm.
Assemble Cookies
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment.
- Whisk together sugar and pumpkin pie spice for coating.1/4 cup granulated sugar, 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- Scoop 2 tbsp of dough, flatten slightly, place a frozen cream cheese ball in the center, fold the dough over to completely cover, and roll into smooth balls.
- Roll each ball in pumpkin spice sugar and place on baking sheet, spacing ~2 inches apart.
- Bake 12–14 min, until tops are set and edges look slightly firm. Centers should look soft but not raw.
- Cool 10 min on sheet, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
- Store in airtight container in fridge up to 5 days. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
It is great. Really like it.
Thank you for trying them!