Copycat Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Cookies Recipe

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If you’re like me, your first stop in the fall isn’t the pumpkin patch—it’s Trader Joe’s. Their delicious pumpkin-themed goodies are legendary, and one item I just can’t resist is Trader Joe’s pumpkin cookies.

How to make Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Cookies

Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Cookies are a seasonal fall treat that the store brings out around autumn. They’re soft, spiced cookies made with pumpkin purée and warm fall spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.

Ingredients

For the Cookies:

• 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice (or a mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves)
• ¾ cup canned pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1 large egg (room temperature)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Optional Mix-ins:

• ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (for a chocolate chunk version similar to Trader Joe’s cookie mix)
• ½ cup white chocolate chips (if you want to echo the sweetness of their yogurt-covered Petite Cookies)
• ½ cup chopped nuts (such as pecans or walnuts for extra texture—totally optional!)
• A pinch of sea salt (for sprinkling on top—mimicking the salt on Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Spiced Joe-Joe’s)

For the Icing/Glaze:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2–3 tbsp milk or cream
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• A dash of pumpkin pie spice (for garnish, optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C)—line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and pumpkin pie spice. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, use a hand or stand mixer to cream together the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes).
4. Add the pumpkin puree, egg, and vanilla extract to the sugar mixture. Beat until fully combined.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients (from Step 2) to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. Don’t overmix! The dough will be soft and slightly sticky.
6. Fold in any optional mix-ins, such as chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, or nuts, as desired.

Step 2: Shape and Bake

1. Use a cookie scoop or spoon to drop 1.5-inch dough balls onto the prepared cookie sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
2. For a flatter cookie, gently press each ball down with the back of a spoon. Leave as-is for a puffier, softer texture.
3. Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges are set and slightly golden. The centers might still look a bit soft, but that’s okay—they’ll continue to firm up as they cool.
4. Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 3: Add Glaze (Optional)

1. If you’d like to add a sweet glaze, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk/cream, and vanilla extract in a small bowl. Adjust the milk quantity to achieve your desired glaze consistency—it should drizzle easily but not be too runny.
2. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled cookies using a spoon or piping bag. Sprinkle with a dash of pumpkin pie spice for a decorative touch if desired.

Tips for Success

• Use real pumpkin puree: Make sure you use pure canned pumpkin and not pumpkin pie filling, which already has added sugars and spices.
• Don’t overmix the dough: Overmixing can lead to dense cookies. Stir just until everything is combined.
• Adjust sweetness levels: If you prefer a less sweet cookie (to let the pumpkin and spices shine), reduce the sugar slightly.
• Spice it up: Love bold spices? Add an extra pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to amp up the flavor.
• Cooling is key: Let the cookies cool completely if you’re adding glaze, or it will melt and slide right off.

What to serve with

Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Cookies—or their homemade recreations—are a seasonal delight packed with cozy fall flavors. But why stop at just cookies?

Hot Beverages:

• Pumpkin Spice Latte: The quintessential fall drink! Pairing Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Cookies with a PSL instantly doubles the pumpkin goodness.
• Chai Tea or Chai Latte: The spices in chai (cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves) echo the flavors in the Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Cookies, creating a harmonious pairing.
• Hot Apple Cider: The sweet, tangy apple notes of cider enhance the pumpkin flavor and balance its richness. Add a cinnamon stick for a warm, aromatic touch.
• Hot Cocoa: A cup of creamy hot chocolate is a comforting treat to serve alongside Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Cookies, especially when chocolate chips have been added to the cookies.
• Coffee or Espresso: For those who want to keep things simple, a bold cup of coffee pairs wonderfully with the sweetness of Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Cookies.

Cold Beverages:

• Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew: If you love cold brew with a seasonal twist, this creamy, slightly sweet coffee treat is the ideal pairing.
• Iced Chai Latte: The same warm spices you love in chai tea, but served cold with ice!
• Vanilla or Maple-Infused Milk: Serve a glass of chilled milk sweetened with vanilla or maple syrup—it’s a subtle and soothing pairing.
• Sparkling Apple Cider: For a festive bubbly option, sparkling cider feels elegant but still simple.

Ingredients Substitutes

Are you craving the dreamy autumn flavors of Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Cookies but missing a key ingredient in your pantry, or looking for alternatives to fit dietary needs? Don’t worry—baking is all about experimenting and adapting to preferences or limitations.

1. Substitutes for All-Purpose Flour

If you don’t have all-purpose flour or are looking for an alternative, here are some ideas:

For Gluten-Free Options:

• Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour Blend: Use a blend designed explicitly for 1:1 substitution in baking. Brands like Bob’s Red Mill, Cup4Cup, or King Arthur provide excellent results.
• Almond Flour: For a dense, chewy texture, replace up to 50% of the all-purpose flour with almond flour. Pair this with another gluten-free flour for balance.
• Oat Flour: Oat flour (ground oats) can be used as a substitute for all-purpose flour in soft cookies. Ensure your oats are certified gluten-free, if necessary.
• Whole-Wheat Flour: Substitute up to 50% of the all-purpose flour with whole-wheat flour for a slightly nuttier flavor and denser texture.

2. Pumpkin Puree Substitutes

Pumpkin puree is the star of the recipe, but if you don’t have it, there are a few creative ways to replace it:

• Sweet Potato Puree: Sweet potato mash or canned sweet potatoes bring a similar sweetness and texture. Use it as a 1:1 substitute.
• Mashed Bananas: Ripe, mashed bananas give a different fruity sweetness but offer a similar moisture level.
• Butternut Squash Puree: Like sweet potatoes, pureed butternut squash is another great 1:1 substitute, and it also has a lovely autumn flavor.
• Applesauce: Unsweetened applesauce adds moisture and a hint of fruitiness. While slightly less creamy than pumpkin puree, it works well in soft cookies.

3. Substitutes for Butter

If you’re out of butter or working around dietary needs, try these options:

• Coconut Oil: Melted coconut oil offers a mild, nutty flavor and can be used as a 1:1 replacement for butter. Use refined coconut oil if you prefer a less coconut-forward taste.
• Vegetable Oil: Oils like canola, sunflower, or avocado oil can substitute butter. Use ¾ cup of oil for every 1 cup of butter, as oil is more concentrated.
• Vegan Butter: Plant-based butters, like Earth Balance or Miyoko’s, work perfectly for dairy-free cookies at a 1:1 ratio.
• Greek Yogurt: For a healthier, lower-fat option, substitute half the butter with plain Greek yogurt. Cookies will be softer this way.

4. Substitutes for Granulated Sugar

Out of sugar or looking for alternatives with different health benefits? Consider these:

• Brown Sugar: Using brown sugar instead of white sugar adds extra moisture and a hint of molasses flavor. Replace it 1:1.
• Coconut Sugar: A naturally unrefined sugar with a slightly caramel flavor that works well in pumpkin spice recipes.
• Honey or Maple Syrup: Liquid sweeteners add flavor and moisture. Replace 1 cup of sugar with ¾ cup of honey or maple syrup and reduce the liquid in the recipe by 1–2 tablespoons.
• Stevia or Monk Fruit Sweetener: For a low-calorie sweetener, use monk fruit or stevia, adjusting per the packaging instructions (as these are concentrated).

5. Substitutes for Brown Sugar

If you run out of brown sugar, try these:

• White Sugar + Molasses: Mix 1 cup of granulated sugar with 1–2 tbsp of molasses to recreate brown sugar’s texture and flavor.
• Coconut Sugar: This also works as a substitute for brown sugar, offering mellow caramel-like hints.

6. Substitutes for Eggs

Eggs contribute to structure and binding in baking, but if you need an alternative (vegan, egg allergies, etc.), these substitutes work well:

• Flaxseed Meal: Combine 1 tbsp ground flaxseeds with 3 tbsp water, let it sit for 5 minutes, and use in place of 1 egg. It’s an excellent vegan option.
• Chia Seeds: Similar to flaxseeds, combine 1 tbsp of chia seeds with 3 tbsp water for a gel-like egg replacement.
• Applesauce: Replace 1 egg with ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce. This works well for soft and moist cookies.
• Mashed Banana: Use ¼ cup of mashed banana per egg. Note that this will add a slight banana flavor.
• Aquafaba: The liquid from canned chickpeas works as an egg substitute. Use 3 tbsp of aquafaba for 1 egg.

Final Thoughts

Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Cookies (and your homemade recreations!) are versatile treats that can be paired with drinks, snacks, and desserts to turn any moment into a cozy fall celebration.

More Trader Joe’s Recipes:

• Copycat Trader Joe’s Maple Cookies Recipe
• Copycat Trader Joe’s Dumpling Bake Recipe
• Homemade Trader Joe’s Funnel Cake Fries Recipe