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Add some fall flair to your oatmeal cookies! These Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies are filled with dried cranberries and white chocolate chips for a twist on your favorite oatmeal cookie.
I’m starting to get into cookie mode over here. While in the school pickup line the other day, I made a list of all of the cookie recipes that I want to bake over the holidays.
I must say that I have a pretty good list going with everything from Peanut Butter Blossoms and Crispy Ginger Cookies to these pretty Snowflake Sugar Cookies and classic Gingerbread Cookies.
But before I head into full-on Christmas cookie mode, I decided to whip up a couple of batches of cookies that are full of festive fall flavors.
Pumpkin cookies are a go-to every fall. I’ve made them even better with my favorite cookie add-ins!
INGREDIENTS FOR PUMPKIN OATMEAL COOKIES
Gather up everything first:
- Flour
- Old-fashioned oats – these are also labeled as rolled oats. Don’t use quick oats!
- Baking soda
- Ground cinnamon
- Pumpkin pie spice
- Salt
- Butter, softened to room temperature
- Brown and granulated sugars
- Pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling
- 1 egg
- Vanilla extract
- White chocolate chips
- Dried cranberries or dried cherries
I use parchment paper on cookie sheets to bake these. You can also use silicone mats like Silpat.
I find it helps bake the cookies more evenly, and they make cleanup so easy!
A cookie scoop works great for making evenly sized cookies, or use two spoons to scoop the dough.
HOW TO MAKE OATMEAL PUMPKIN COOKIES
Don’t forget to preheat your oven before getting started! The cookie dough comes together quickly, so you’ll want that oven ready in time.
In a medium bowl, mix together flour, oats, baking soda, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and salt.
Yes, we are using both cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice here. We want that full autumn flavor!
In a large bowl, beat together the butter and sugars until light and fluffy. I use my stand mixer to make this task easier.
Add the pumpkin, egg, and vanilla, and mix again until very smooth.
Then, add the dry mixture, in batches if needed, mixing until everything is incorporated.
Finally, stir in the white chocolate chips and dried cranberries.
Want to use semisweet chocolate chips (dark chocolate lovers, try my pumpkin dark chocolate cranberry cookies) or dried cherries? Go for it! If using cherries, be sure to chop them into smaller pieces.
Scoop your cookie dough either with a medium cookie scoop or two spoons and arrange on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Make sure to leave a few inches between each dough ball to allow spreading.
Bake the cookies at 350°F for about 12 minutes, until they are browned. Let them cool on the baking sheets for a couple of minutes, then transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.
CAN I FREEZE THIS COOKIE DOUGH?
Absolutely! I love to freeze cookie dough so I can bake just a few whenever a craving hits.
Scoop out your dough the same as if you are baking it immediately. Place on the baking sheet in tight rows. This way we can get lots on a single sheet!
Once you’ve scooped all the dough, place the baking sheet in your freezer. Freeze the cookie dough for at least two hours, then transfer to labeled freezer-safe bags.
When you’re ready for a warm cookie snack, just grab as much cookie dough as you’d like and bake.
Because the dough is frozen, you’ll need a few extra minutes in the oven for perfect pumpkin oatmeal cookies.
PUMPKIN COOKIE RECIPES
Need to fill the cookie jar? I’ve got other pumpkin cookie recipes for you to try!
Pumpkin molasses sandwich cookies are warm and full of seasonal spices. I can never resist these soft and chewy delights.
Love cream cheese frosting? It’s so good with this pillowy pumpkin cookie recipe.
Or, go for cookie-as-a-bar with my pumpkin blondies. They’re absolutely craveworthy!
You’ll love these pumpkin oatmeal cookies, I just know it.
Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups old-fashioned oats
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup butter (2 sticks), softened
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup pure pumpkin puree
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- 1 cup dried cranberries
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with a silicone mat or parchment paper.
- Combine flour, oats, baking soda, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice and salt in a medium bowl. Beat butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar in a large mixer bowl until light and fluffy.
- Add pumpkin, egg and vanilla extract; mix well. Add flour mixture; combine until all ingredients are incorporated. Fold in white chocolate chips and dried cranberries.
- Drop by rounded tablespoons onto prepared baking sheets.
- Bake for 12-14 minutes or until cookies are lightly browned. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I’m not a big fan of oatmeal cookies but adding pumpkin to the mix makes this recipe super yummy. I didn’t have chocolate chips (will add next time, yummm!) So I added cranberries and walnuts. I love this recipe. Thank you.
Josie-
I’m so happy that you enjoyed the recipe! Cranberries and walnuts in the cookies sound so good! Have a great day!
-Jamie
Here in Australia we don’t have tinned pumpkin so wondering if mashed pumpkin will do and, what does pumpkin spice have in it?
Phileppa-
Mashed pumpkin will be fine to substitute. I have also included the link for Pumpkin Pie Spice for reference. Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!
https://www.mybakingaddiction.com/pumpkin-pie-spice-recipe/
-Jamie
Getting ready to make w dried cranberries
Oh my GOODNESS these are delicious!!! So soft and fluffy in the middle, chewy around the edges, and the white chocolate and cherries work PERFECTLY together!! I can’t wait to show these off tomorrow to my fiance’s family :D
Also made a batch with dark chocolate chips instead of the white. We’ll see how many cookies actually make it to Granny’s house tomorrow…
Amy-
I am so glad you enjoyed the recipe. Thanks for stopping by and providing your feedback – have a great day!
-Jamie
Used cranberries instead of cherries….yummy!!
I was SO excited to make these and after a HUGE grocery shopping trip, I came home to realize that the Pumpkin I THOUGHT I had in the pantry was NOT there:( So, I changed the recipe a bit and thought it would be fun to share:)
Surprise….Banana Split Cookies!
Same ingredients, minus the pumpkin, pumpkin spice and white chocolate chips
Added 2 bananas, another 3/4-1c oatmeal, milk chocolate chips (keep the cherries).
I just got all of these cooled and out of the oven. My husband has several buddies over tonight and they all have commented that they’re amazing! They all think I’m a great baker now, too bad it’s just a great recipe! Thanks so much for sharing this!
Kate-
I am so glad you enjoyed the recipe. Thanks for stopping by and providing your feedback – have a great day!
-Jamie
How do I adjust a cookie recipe without oatmeal and chocolate chips? Can I add a half of evaporated cane sugar and a half of brown sugar instead of one cup of brown sugar? How much should I add walnuts to substitute chocolate chips?
Thanks