Cake Mix Pumpkin Cookies (3 ingredients)
These 3-ingredient Cake Mix Pumpkin Cookies are super simple to make and packed with cozy, spiced, fall flavor. They’re the perfect easy autumn treat to enjoy all season long.
If you’re craving an easy fall dessert that takes just minutes to make, these spiced Cake Mix Pumpkin Cookies are about to become your new go-to recipe. Made with just 3 ingredients — foolproof spice cake mix, canned pumpkin puree and pumpkin spice — these pumpkin cookies are full of cozy autumn flavor and one of the easiest fall treats you can make. Plus, these cookies can be whipped up in 20 minutes, making them the perfect sweet treat for a quick dessert and fall entertaining.
Soft, fluffy and filled with warm autumn spices, these Cake Mix Pumpkin Cookies are no-fuss and pumpkin perfection every time. We love how they’re customizable, too, so try adding an easy frosting, glaze, or mixing in nuts or chocolate chips for extra flavor. Bake these easy cookies with the whole family all season for a festive, fall treat that’s always a winning recipe.
If you like this fall sweet treat, be sure to try some of our other favorite pumpkin desserts. We love Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins and you don’t want to miss this Viral Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll Hack.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Made with Only 3 Ingredients: With just a a handful of ingredients and no mixer required, these cookies are beyond simple to make and foolproof.
- No Eggs or Oil Needed: No need for extra ingredients to make these super moist and tender — the pumpkin puree does all the work.
- Ready in About 20 Minutes: You can have this dessert on the table fast with an easy process that takes less than 30 minutes, start to finish.
- Family Friendly Recipe: These are easy enough for the kids to help make, so get the whole family in on the fun.
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
- Spice Cake Mix: Use your favorite box mix. This is one of my favorite store-bought shortcuts to have on hand.
- Pumpkin Purée: Rich in flavor and gives the cookies an extra tender texture. Keep a few cans on hand all autumn long.
- Pumpkin Pie Spice: Warm spices to flavor the cookies. Use your favorite store-bought blend, or make your own and store in the pantry for future uses.
For The Frosting:
- Cream Cheese: Smooth and tangy, soften this before using.
- Butter: For richness.
- Powdered Sugar: Adds just the right amount of sweetness.
- Vanilla: To enhance all the flavors. Use pure extract.
How To Make Pumpkin Cookies
1. Preheat oven to 350°F & line a baking sheet.
2. Mix cake mix, pumpkin & spice until combined.
3. Drop spoonfuls of dough (about 2 tablespoons each) onto the prepared baking sheet. I made 5 large cookies, but you can easily make smaller cookies by scooping less dough—just adjust the bake time down by a couple minutes.
4. Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the cookies are set and slightly golden on the edges.
5. Let cool on a wire rack before adding icing.
6. Beat cream cheese & butter until smooth.
7. Add sugar & vanilla, whip until fluffy.
8. Frost cooled cookies, sprinkle with pumpkin spice or cinnamon.
Video
Expert Tips
- Use a Cookie Scoop: This will help make evenly sized cookies that bake at the same rate.
- Don’t Overbake: These cookies stay soft, so pull them as soon as they’re set and no longer jiggly in the center, rather than wait until they’re golden and firm.
- Let Cookies Cool Before Icing: It’s important to let them cool completely before frosting them, so the icing doesn’t melt off.
- Use a Spice Cake Mix for the Best Flavor: The warm, spiced flavor is the best with the pumpkin puree, so choose your favorite brand from the store. Yellow or vanilla cake mix will also work in a pinch, but with a milder taste.
Variations & Substitutions
- Glazed Pumpkin Cookies: Drizzle the cooled cookies with a quick cream cheese glaze or vanilla icing for a bakery-style finish and extra flavor.
- Nutty Pumpkin Cookies: Add chopped pecans or walnuts for extra crunch.
- Pumpkin Oat Cookies: Mix in rolled oats for more texture and heartiness.
- Add Chocolate: Stir in mini chocolate chips or white chocolate chunks for extra sweetness.
Storage
Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature up to 3 days, or refrigerate for a longer shelf life. Freeze baked cookies in a single layer, then transfer to a freezer bag and store for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before enjoying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! If you’ve got the time and want to bake or roast your own pumpkin, go for it. Just make sure it’s cooked, pureed, and drained so it’s not too watery when added into the cookie batter.
Nope! The rich, moist pumpkin puree does all the work for you and replaces both the eggs and oil in this recipe.
Sure – white cake mix or vanilla cake mix works nicely, but with a milder flavor than spice cake mix (our preferred flavor).
More Easy Fall Dessert Recipes
- Mini Pumpkin Spice Donuts
- DIY Caramel Apples Bar
- Easy No Bake Pumpkin Delight
- Puff Pastry Apple Rings
Pumpkin Cookies (3 ingredients)
Ingredients
- 1 box spice cake mix 15.25 oz
- 1 15 oz can pumpkin purée
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
For the Frosting:
- 4 oz cream cheese softened
- 2 tbsp butter softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F & line a baking sheet.
- Mix cake mix, pumpkin & spice until combined.
- Drop spoonfuls of dough (about 2 tablespoons each) onto the prepared baking sheet. I made 5 large cookies, but you can easily make smaller cookies by scooping less dough—just adjust the bake time down by a couple minutes.
- Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the cookies are set and slightly golden on the edges.
- Let cool on a wire rack before adding icing.
- Beat cream cheese & butter until smooth.
- Add sugar & vanilla, whip until fluffy.
- Frost cooled cookies, sprinkle with pumpkin spice or cinnamon.
Video
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature up to 3 days, or refrigerate for a longer shelf life.
- Freeze baked cookies in a single layer, then transfer to a freezer bag and store for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before enjoying.
