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This pumpkin s'mores cookie recipe transforms classic campfire flavors into an autumnal treat that brings cozy vibes to any gathering. The combination of pumpkin spice, melty chocolate, and toasty marshmallows creates a cookie that tastes like fall nights around a bonfire.
I created these cookies for my neighborhood Halloween party last year and they disappeared faster than any other dessert. The combination of familiar s'mores elements with seasonal pumpkin has become my signature autumn baking contribution.
Ingredients
- Unsalted butter: provides the rich base for these cookies and ensures proper spreading
- Pumpkin puree: adds moisture and authentic fall flavor use canned for consistency
- Pumpkin pie spice: delivers warm aromatic notes look for fresh spice blend for best flavor
- Mini marshmallows: create pockets of gooey sweetness throughout the cookies
- Graham crackers: add texture and authentic s'mores flavor choose honey grahams for best taste
- Chocolate chips: provide melty goodness semisweet works best for balanced flavor
- Orange food coloring: optional but creates festive visual appeal
- Extra garnishes: enhance the s'mores experience and create beautiful presentation
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare Your Station:
- Preheat your oven to exactly 350°F and line your baking sheets with parchment paper. This temperature creates the perfect environment for these cookies to spread properly while maintaining a soft center.
- Cream The Base:
- In a large bowl beat the softened butter with both sugars until the mixture becomes noticeably lighter in color about 3 minutes. The incorporation of air at this stage is crucial for creating the right texture in the finished cookie.
- Add Wet Ingredients:
- Incorporate the pumpkin puree egg and vanilla extract mixing thoroughly until completely combined. This is where you can add the orange food coloring if desired start with a few drops and adjust until you reach your preferred shade.
- Combine Dry Ingredients:
- In a separate bowl whisk the flour baking soda pumpkin pie spice and salt ensuring even distribution of the leavening and spices. This prevents pockets of spice or salt in your finished cookies.
- Create The Dough:
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture folding gently just until combined. Overmixing at this stage will develop gluten and result in tough cookies so stop mixing as soon as the flour disappears.
- Add The Mix Ins:
- Carefully fold in chocolate chips mini marshmallows and graham cracker pieces distributing them evenly throughout the dough. This gentle approach keeps the graham crackers from breaking down too much.
- Shape And Garnish:
- Scoop generous portions of dough onto your prepared baking sheet leaving ample space between each cookie. Press additional marshmallows and graham pieces onto the tops for visual appeal and textural contrast.
- Bake With Precision:
- Bake for 12 to 14 minutes watching carefully for golden edges while maintaining slightly soft centers. The cookies will continue to set as they cool so resist the temptation to overbake.
- Cool Properly:
- Allow the cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack. This brief resting period helps them set without breaking apart during the transfer.
The graham crackers are truly the secret hero of this recipe. My grandmother always incorporated them into her cookie recipes for texture and I find they provide not just the authentic s'mores experience but also a nostalgic quality that makes these cookies feel like a treasured family recipe even though I developed them recently.
Storage Solutions
These pumpkin s'mores cookies maintain their soft texture and flavor for up to five days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. Place sheets of parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking and preserve the marshmallow texture. For longer storage freeze baked cookies individually wrapped for up to three months. The dough also freezes beautifully shaped into balls ready to bake whenever a craving strikes just add 1 to 2 minutes to the baking time.
Customization Options
These versatile cookies welcome creative adaptations to suit your preferences. For a more intense chocolate experience substitute half the regular chocolate chips with dark chocolate chunks. Cinnamon chips make a wonderful alternative creating a snickerdoodle s'mores hybrid. Consider adding a quarter cup of finely chopped candied ginger for sophisticated heat or swapping the vanilla extract for maple extract to enhance the autumnal profile. The basic dough provides a canvas for endless variations.
Serving Suggestions
These cookies reach their peak enjoyment when served slightly warm which reactivates the melty chocolate and marshmallow components. Briefly microwave room temperature cookies for 10 seconds before serving. For an elevated dessert experience sandwich vanilla ice cream between two cookies for pumpkin s'mores ice cream sandwiches. During fall gatherings pair with spiced apple cider or pumpkin spice lattes for a complete seasonal treat experience that will delight guests of all ages.