Thanksgiving Cookies Recipe: Pumpkin Spice Sandwich Cookies with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Filling

Thanksgiving is the perfect time to indulge in warm, comforting flavors, and nothing says fall quite like pumpkin and spice. While pies and cakes often steal the spotlight, cookies can be just as festive, not to mention easier to serve and share. These Pumpkin Spice Sandwich Cookies with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Filling combine the best of Thanksgiving’s cozy flavors—pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a hint of vanilla—into a perfectly spiced, melt-in-your-mouth cookie.

Soft, slightly chewy cookies are paired with a creamy, spiced filling, making these treats the perfect addition to your Thanksgiving dessert table or a sweet gift for friends and family. The best part? They’re simple to make and are sure to impress your guests!

Why You’ll Love These Pumpkin Spice Sandwich Cookies:

• Perfectly spiced: The warm flavors of pumpkin, cinnamon, and nutmeg make these cookies the ultimate fall treat.

• Creamy filling: The cinnamon cream cheese filling adds a rich, tangy contrast to the soft, spiced cookies, elevating them to another level of deliciousness.

• Make-ahead friendly: You can prepare the cookies in advance and assemble them just before serving, making them ideal for Thanksgiving prep.

• Cute and shareable: The sandwich cookie format makes them easy to serve and eat, and they look beautiful on a cookie platter.

  
  

Ingredients:

For the cookies:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened

• 1 cup packed brown sugar

• 1 large egg

• ½ cup canned pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)

• 2 tsp vanilla extract

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour

• 1 tsp baking soda

• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

• ½ tsp ground nutmeg

• ½ tsp ground ginger

• ¼ tsp ground cloves

• ½ tsp salt

For the cinnamon cream cheese filling:

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened

• ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened

• 2 cups powdered sugar

• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• Pinch of salt

Instructions:

1. Make the Cookies:

1. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.

2. Cream the butter and sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.

3. Add wet ingredients: Beat in the egg, pumpkin puree, and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.

4. Combine the dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.

5. Scoop the dough: Use a tablespoon or cookie scoop to drop rounded balls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Gently flatten each ball of dough with the back of a spoon or your fingers to form small disks.

6. Bake: Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers are set. The cookies will continue to firm up as they cool, so don’t overbake.

7. Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

   
   

2. Make the Cinnamon Cream Cheese Filling:

1. Beat the filling ingredients: In a large bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and butter using an electric mixer until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes.

2. Add powdered sugar and spices: Gradually add the powdered sugar, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Beat on low speed until combined, then increase to medium-high and continue mixing until the filling is fluffy and smooth, about 2 more minutes.

   
   

3. Assemble the Sandwich Cookies:

1. Match up the cookies: Once the cookies are completely cool, pair them up in roughly equal-sized pairs (you’ll have more pairs than you need depending on your cookie size).

2. Fill the cookies: Turn half of the cookies over, and spread about 1 to 1 ½ tablespoons of the cinnamon cream cheese filling onto the flat side of each cookie. Top with the remaining cookies, pressing them together gently to form sandwich cookies.

3. Chill (optional): If you’d like the filling to firm up a bit, place the assembled sandwich cookies in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before serving.

   
   

Why These Cookies are Perfect for Thanksgiving:

• Autumn flavors: Pumpkin and warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg are quintessential fall flavors, making these cookies perfect for Thanksgiving. They’re a great way to showcase the seasonal ingredients you love.

• Easy to serve: These cookies are perfect for passing around at a holiday gathering or packing up as part of a dessert buffet. They’re also ideal for taking to a Thanksgiving potluck!

• Make-ahead: These cookies can be baked a day or two ahead of time, and the filling can be made in advance as well. Simply assemble the cookies when you’re ready to serve them.

  
  

Tips for Success:

• Chill the dough: If you find the dough is too sticky to work with, chill it for 30 minutes to an hour before scooping and baking. This will make it easier to handle and prevent spreading during baking.

• Don’t skip the cooling time: Let the cookies cool completely before assembling them. If they’re still warm, the filling may melt, making them a mess.

• Customize the filling: If you’re not a fan of cream cheese, you can substitute the filling with a cinnamon buttercream or marshmallow fluff for a lighter, sweeter option.

• Store properly: Store the cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. They also freeze well for up to 3 months—just make sure to wrap them tightly to preserve freshness.

Serving Suggestions:

These Pumpkin Spice Sandwich Cookies are delicious on their own, but you can elevate them with a few extra touches:

• Pair with coffee or tea: These cookies are perfect for a cozy, after-dinner treat. Serve them with a hot mug of spiced chai, apple cider, or a nice cup of coffee for the ultimate fall experience.

• Top with a dusting of cinnamon: For an extra festive touch, dust the assembled cookies with a bit of cinnamon sugar right before serving.

• Serve with a scoop of ice cream: For a more indulgent treat, pair these cookies with a scoop of vanilla or cinnamon ice cream for a Thanksgiving dessert to remember.

These Pumpkin Spice Sandwich Cookies with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Filling are the perfect way to add a little extra sweetness to your Thanksgiving celebration. With their fall flavors and creamy filling, they’re sure to be a crowd favorite and a delightful alternative to the usual pie. Plus, they’re fun to make and easy to serve, making them the perfect treat for both experienced bakers and beginners alike.

Whether you’re hosting a big family dinner or attending a Thanksgiving potluck, these cookies will bring a taste of autumn to your dessert table—and leave everyone asking for the recipe!