Homemade Giant Caramel Pumpkin Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting

Fall is officially here, and what better way to celebrate the cozy season than with a batch of irresistibly soft and spiced cookies? These Crumbl Caramel Pumpkin Cookies are your ultimate fall dessert, featuring a delightful pumpkin-infused cookie base, generously topped with a smooth, luscious caramel cream cheese frosting, and finished with a delicate dusting of pumpkin pie spice. Prepare to be enchanted by every single bite!

If you’re as passionate about pumpkin treats as we are, you’ll also adore these other seasonal delights: The Easiest Pumpkin Banana Bread, The Best Fluffy and Soft Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls, Easy Single Serve Pumpkin Mug Cake, and our comforting Easy Homemade Pumpkin Pie. Dive into the flavors of autumn with these fantastic recipes!

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Crumbl Caramel Pumpkin cookies split in half, showcasing the soft interior and creamy frosting.

Embrace the autumn chill with this sensational Crumbl Caramel Pumpkin Cookie recipe. Inspired by the bakery’s recent seasonal release, these homemade copycat cookies capture the perfect balance of rich pumpkin flavor, warm spices, and the silkiest caramel cream cheese frosting. It’s a delightful journey for your taste buds, truly celebrating the best of fall baking. We couldn’t be more excited that September has arrived, bringing with it such incredible flavors!

What makes this cookie truly extraordinary is its unique caramel cream cheese frosting. Yes, you heard that right! The addition of luscious caramel elevates a classic cream cheese frosting to a whole new level of decadence, creating a mouthwatering experience with every indulgent bite. It’s a sophisticated twist that sets these cookies apart from any other pumpkin treat you’ll encounter this season.

Indulge in the Best Crumbl Caramel Pumpkin Cookies Copycat Recipe

Crafting this cookie at home has been an absolute joy, reminding us of our beloved CRUMBL Snickerdoodle Cupcake Cookies, but with a distinct autumnal flair thanks to the rich pumpkin and aromatic pumpkin pie spice. If you’ve experienced the magic of that recipe and loved its chewy texture and comforting spices, then these Caramel Pumpkin Cookies are an absolute must-try. As soon as you can get your hands on some quality pumpkin puree, you’ll want to bake these!

This recipe has undeniably set a high standard for our expectations of upcoming fall Crumbl cookie releases. The blend of a perfectly spiced pumpkin base with that creamy, caramel-infused frosting is simply unparalleled. We’re eager to see what new flavors Crumbl introduces in the coming weeks, and we’ll certainly be ready to recreate those delightful treats in our kitchens too!

Why You Need to Make These Irresistible Pumpkin Caramel Cookies

Prepare to make these cookies your signature fall dessert! Here are compelling reasons why this recipe deserves a prime spot in your autumn baking repertoire:

The Epitome of Fall Flavor: These aren’t just any pumpkin cookies; they’re the quintessential taste of autumn, brimming with warm spices and the comforting essence of pumpkin. They perfectly capture the spirit of the season in every delightful bite, making them ideal for holiday gatherings or cozy evenings.
No Chilling Required: Say goodbye to waiting! The cookie dough for this recipe is designed to be baked immediately, saving you precious time and satisfying your cookie cravings faster. This means freshly baked, warm cookies can be on your table in under 30 minutes.
A Fun Pumpkin Twist: Incorporating real pumpkin puree into the dough adds not only a beautiful orange hue but also incredible moisture and a subtle, earthy sweetness that makes these cookies extra special and undeniably festive.
Perfectly Chewy Texture: Similar to a classic snickerdoodle, these cookies boast an incredibly soft and chewy texture that melts in your mouth. The edges are perfectly crisp, while the centers remain wonderfully tender, offering a delightful contrast.
Decadent Caramel Cream Cheese Frosting: If you’re a fan of rich, creamy frosting with a hint of caramel, these cookies are a dream come true. Each cookie is crowned with a generous swirl of silky, sweet caramel cream cheese frosting that perfectly complements the spiced pumpkin base. It’s the ultimate combination of flavors and textures.
Impressive & Easy Copycat: Recreate the magic of your favorite bakery at home! This copycat recipe delivers the signature Crumbl experience – large, beautifully frosted cookies that look and taste professionally made, all from your own kitchen.

Various ingredients for Crumbl caramel pumpkin cookies laid out on a surface.

Essential Ingredients for Your Crumbl Pumpkin Caramel Cookies

Gathering the right ingredients is key to achieving that perfect Crumbl copycat taste and texture. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what you’ll need to create these heavenly pumpkin caramel cookies. Remember to check the full, precise measurements in the recipe card below.

Butter: Whether you choose salted or unsalted, ensure your butter is softened to room temperature. This is crucial for properly creaming with the sugars, creating a light and airy cookie base.
Brown Sugar: This hero ingredient is responsible for imparting that incredible chewiness and moist texture to your cookies. It also adds a deeper, molasses-rich sweetness.
Granulated Sugar: While brown sugar provides softness, granulated sugar contributes to the slightly crispy edges and helps the cookies spread just right, giving them that classic wide Crumbl look.
Egg Yolk: Instead of a whole egg, using just the egg yolk helps to bind the dough and add richness without introducing too much moisture, which can be an issue when working with pumpkin puree. It helps maintain the cookie’s structure.
Pumpkin Puree: This is the heart of our pumpkin cookie. Make absolutely certain you are using 100% pure pumpkin puree and not pumpkin pie filling. Pie filling has added spices and sweeteners that will alter the flavor and texture of your cookies significantly.
Vanilla Extract: A dash of high-quality vanilla extract enhances all the other flavors, adding a warm, aromatic depth to both the cookie and the frosting.
Pumpkin Pie Spice: A blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves, this spice blend is essential for giving the cookies their signature warm, autumnal aroma and flavor.
Cinnamon: A little extra cinnamon beyond what’s in the pumpkin pie spice truly elevates the cookie, adding an extra layer of fragrant warmth that complements the pumpkin beautifully.
Salt: Don’t skip the salt! It’s vital for balancing the sweetness and enhancing the overall flavor profile of your baked goods.
All-Purpose Flour: Standard all-purpose flour provides the necessary structure for these cookies, ensuring they hold their shape while remaining tender.
Baking Powder: This leavening agent helps the cookies achieve a slight lift and a soft, cake-like crumb, contributing to their impressive size.
Cream Cheese: For the ultimate creamy and tangy frosting, use full-fat block cream cheese. Ensure it’s softened to room temperature to prevent lumps.
Caramel: You have options here! Use your favorite homemade caramel sauce for a truly gourmet touch, or opt for a high-quality store-bought caramel for convenience. This is the star flavor of the frosting!
Powdered Sugar: Also known as confectioners’ sugar, this is essential for creating a smooth, lump-free, and perfectly sweet cream cheese frosting.

Overhead shot of freshly baked Crumbl caramel pumpkin cookies with creamy frosting and spice.

Crafting Your Own Crumbl Caramel Pumpkin Cookies: A Step-by-Step Guide

Get ready to bake the most delightful fall cookies! Follow these detailed instructions to create your own batch of frosted pumpkin cookies, complete with that signature Crumbl appeal. For comprehensive, exact measurements and timings, please refer to the full recipe card below.

Prepare Your Baking Environment: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s at the optimal temperature for even baking. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper; this prevents sticking and makes for easy cleanup.
Cream the Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine your softened butter with both the granulated sugar and brown sugar. Beat these together with an electric mixer until the mixture becomes wonderfully light, fluffy, and pale in color. This process incorporates air, contributing to the cookies’ soft texture.
Incorporate the Liquid Flavors: Next, add the single egg yolk, vanilla extract, and pumpkin puree to the creamed butter and sugar mixture. Continue mixing on medium speed until all these wet ingredients are thoroughly combined and smooth, ensuring no streaks of pumpkin remain.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, fragrant cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, salt, and baking powder. This ensures all dry ingredients are evenly distributed before adding them to the wet mixture.
Form the Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet pumpkin mixture. Mix on low speed just until the flour streaks disappear and a cohesive dough forms. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough cookies. The dough will be soft but manageable.
Scoop and Bake: Using a large cookie scoop (typically about 1/4 cup), portion out 8 equally sized cookie dough balls. Place them onto your prepared baking sheet, leaving ample space between each. Gently flatten each cookie dough ball to about 1 inch in thickness with the palm of your hand or the back of a spoon.
Bake to Perfection: Transfer the baking sheet to your preheated oven and bake for approximately 13 minutes. The cookies should be set around the edges but still appear soft in the center. Avoid overbaking to maintain their chewy texture.
Cooling Process: Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for about 20 minutes. This allows them to firm up without breaking. After 20 minutes, carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely to room temperature before applying the frosting. This step is crucial to prevent the frosting from melting.