Pumpkin S’Mores Cookies Recipe
If you’ve ever wished you could capture the feeling of a cozy campfire night in a cookie, then this Pumpkin S’Mores Cookies Recipe is your dream come true. These little treats bring together the warm spices of pumpkin pie and the gooey, melty magic of s’mores in one soft, chewy bite. Trust me, whether it’s chilly fall evenings or anytime you crave that perfect blend of sweet and spicy, these cookies are going to become your new favorite.
What I love most about this Pumpkin S’Mores Cookies Recipe is how effortless it is to whip up, yet it feels so special—like a seasonal hug from the comfort of your kitchen. The blend of peanut butter and pumpkin puree keeps the cookies wonderfully moist, while the mini marshmallows and chocolate chips add that nostalgic, campfire vibe everyone adores. You’re going to want to bake a batch for yourself, then share (or maybe not) with family and friends!
Why This Recipe Works
- Balanced Moisture: Pumpkin puree adds moisture and a subtle earthy sweetness that keeps the cookies soft and tender.
- Flavor Harmony: The pumpkin pie spice pairs perfectly with peanut butter and chocolate for a warm, inviting flavor profile.
- Gooey Texture: Mini marshmallows baked into the dough create those irresistible gooey pockets, just like a classic s’more.
- Easy to Make: With simple ingredients and quick assembly, you can have delicious cookies fresh from your oven in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients & Why They Work
This Pumpkin S’Mores Cookies Recipe uses ingredients that play off each other beautifully—each component adds its own magic, creating a cookie that’s soft, flavorful, and just sweet enough. When shopping, look for quality peanut butter and fresh pumpkin puree for the best results.
- Creamy peanut butter: Adds richness and a nutty undertone that complements pumpkin’s earthiness perfectly.
- Light brown sugar: Brings moisture and a deep caramel flavor to the cookie’s base.
- Egg: Helps bind everything together while giving the cookie structure.
- Pumpkin puree: Keeps cookies soft and adds that signature fall flavor.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the sweetness and rounds out the flavors with warmth.
- Flour: The backbone of the cookie dough, giving it body and chew.
- Pumpkin pie spice: A warm blend that infuses the cookies with cozy fall vibes.
- Baking soda: Provides the needed lift and lightness.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all flavors.
- Mini marshmallows: Melt into gooey pockets that make these cookies feel like a campfire treat.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips or chunks: Adds melty richness and the classic s’mores chocolate goodness.
Make It Your Way
I often tweak this Pumpkin S’Mores Cookies Recipe by adding a sprinkle of cinnamon on top before baking or swapping out peanut butter for almond butter depending on what I have on hand. Don’t be shy about personalizing these cookies—they’re forgiving and flexible!
- Variation: Sometimes I swap mini marshmallows for chopped toasted nuts for a crunchier texture—still delicious but a little less gooey.
- Dietary tweaks: Using gluten-free flour works surprisingly well if you or your guests need to avoid gluten.
- Seasonal switch-ups: For a winter version, add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to amp up the cozy holiday vibe.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Pumpkin S’Mores Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Get Cozy and Preheat
First things first: preheat your oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This little prep step saves you from sticking disasters and makes cleanup a breeze—trust me, it’s worth it.
Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the peanut butter, light brown sugar, pumpkin puree, vanilla extract, and egg until everything’s smooth and creamy. This is the moment you can almost smell those cozy fall vibes coming alive in your kitchen.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients
In another bowl, sift or whisk the flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda, and salt. Mixing these separately helps evenly distribute the spices and leavening agents, so your cookies come out perfectly balanced. Then, slowly add the dry ingredients to your wet mixture and stir until just combined—don’t overmix!
Step 4: Fold in Chocolate Chips and Marshmallows
Gently fold in the chocolate chips, then scoop 2-3 mini marshmallows into your cookie dough scoop or tablespoon before dipping it into the batter. Nestling the marshmallows just under the surface means they’ll bake right into little clouds of gooey goodness. If you want, sprinkle a few extra chocolate chips on top to make these cookies look as dreamy as they taste.
Step 5: Bake and Enjoy!
Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges are set but the centers still feel soft. Let the cookies cool for a few minutes on the pan, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely—or sneak a warm one right away, because who can wait? These cookies taste fantastic warm with melty marshmallow and chocolate.
Tips from My Kitchen
- Marshmallow Magic: Tucking marshmallows beneath the batter (not just on top) keeps them from burning and gives you those soft, molten pockets.
- Don’t Overbake: Pull the cookies when edges look set but centers still seem soft; they firm up as they cool for perfect chewiness.
- Use Fresh Pumpkin Puree: Canned works fine, but fresh pumpkin adds an unbeatable flavor and brightness.
- Scrape Your Bowl Well: Make sure to get every bit of batter mixed; pocketed flour or spices can lead to uneven bites.
How to Serve Pumpkin S’Mores Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
I usually sprinkle a few extra mini chocolate chips or dust a pinch of cinnamon sugar on top before serving—it adds a little sparkle and warmth. Sometimes for a fun touch, I add a light drizzle of melted white chocolate to bring out the pumpkin’s sweetness even more.
Side Dishes
These cookies are a treat on their own, but I love pairing them with a steaming mug of chai tea or rich hot chocolate for a cozy afternoon pick-me-up. They also go surprisingly well with vanilla ice cream, especially if you warm them up so the marshmallows get gooier.
Creative Ways to Present
For fall parties, I arrange the Pumpkin S’Mores Cookies on a rustic wooden board with small bowls of extra marshmallows and chocolate chunks for guests to add on top if they like. Wrapping individual cookies in parchment and tying with twine makes a charming homemade gift that everyone raves about.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I keep leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. The marshmallows soften a bit but stay deliciously gooey, and the flavors actually deepen overnight, making them even better the next day.
Freezing
These cookies freeze really well—just place cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze until firm, then transfer to a freezer bag. They last for several months and thaw quickly on the counter or in the microwave for a quick treat.
Reheating
To bring back that fresh-baked warmth, I pop the cookies in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or briefly in the oven wrapped in foil. This softens the cookie and melty marshmallows without drying them out—a small trick that makes leftovers just as delightful.
FAQs
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Can I use canned pumpkin for this Pumpkin S’Mores Cookies Recipe?
Absolutely! Canned pumpkin puree works great and provides consistent texture and flavor. Just make sure it’s pure pumpkin and not pumpkin pie filling, which has added sugars and spices.
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What’s the best way to prevent marshmallows from burning?
Tucking the mini marshmallows just under the cookie dough surface helps protect them from direct heat, so they melt nicely without turning brown or burning during baking.
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Can I make these cookies vegan or dairy-free?
For a vegan twist, try using a flax egg or chia egg substitute and dairy-free chocolate chips. Keep in mind texture might shift slightly, but the fall flavors will still shine.
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How do I store Pumpkin S’Mores Cookies to keep them fresh?
Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days, or freeze for longer storage. Reheat gently to revive that freshly baked softness and gooey marshmallow pockets.
Final Thoughts
This Pumpkin S’Mores Cookies Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it effortlessly blends seasonal flavors with the nostalgic joy of s’mores. I love how it brings everyone together with every bite—whether it’s a cozy family night or a casual gathering with friends. I’m confident once you try these, you’ll keep coming back to bake them over and over. So go ahead, grab those ingredients and get baking—you deserve a little fall magic in your life.
PrintPumpkin S’Mores Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 12 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Pumpkin S’Mores Cookies combine the warm flavors of pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice with gooey marshmallows and rich chocolate chips, all held together in a peanut butter cookie base. Perfect for fall gatherings or a cozy treat, these cookies bake to golden perfection with a soft, chewy texture and delightful seasonal taste.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup pumpkin puree
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1/4 cup flour
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Add-ins
- 1/2 cup mini marshmallows
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips or chunks
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare baking sheet: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the creamy peanut butter, light brown sugar, pumpkin puree, vanilla extract, and egg. Stir together until the mixture is smooth and thoroughly combined.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening and spices.
- Incorporate dry into wet: Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir until well combined. Then fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips gently to evenly distribute them throughout the dough.
- Add marshmallows to dough balls: Using a cookie scoop or rounded tablespoon, place 2 to 3 mini marshmallows into each scoop before adding cookie dough on top, so the marshmallows are partly visible but incorporated within the dough.
- Portion cookies: Drop each marshmallow-studded dough ball onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them evenly. Optionally, sprinkle extra chocolate chips or chunks on top of each cookie for added chocolate flavor and visual appeal.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 12 minutes until cookies are set, edges are just golden, and the marshmallows are slightly toasted.
- Cool and serve: Remove the cookies from the oven, allow them to cool on the baking sheet for several minutes to firm up, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before enjoying.
Notes
- For a nuttier flavor, use natural peanut butter without added sugar or salt.
- If you prefer a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with an equal amount of gluten-free flour blend.
- Be careful not to overbake the cookies to keep them soft and chewy.
- Use a cookie scoop for evenly sized cookies to ensure consistent baking.
- You can substitute mini marshmallows with chopped regular marshmallows if mini ones are unavailable.
- For extra gooeyness, press an additional marshmallow or chocolate chip on top of each cookie before baking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 90 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg