Pumpkin-Oatmeal-Cream-Pies are delightful sandwich cookies featuring soft, spiced pumpkin-oatmeal cookies filled with a luscious cream cheese frosting. These homemade treats combine the warm flavors of fall with the wholesome texture of oats, creating a perfectly balanced dessert that’s ideal for autumn gatherings, holiday cookie exchanges, or anytime you’re craving a cozy, comforting sweet. Unlike traditional pumpkin pie, these portable, hand-held cookies deliver all the classic pumpkin spice flavor in a fun, shareable format that both kids and adults absolutely love.
Key Ingredients for Pumpkin-Oatmeal-Cream-Pies
For the Cookies:
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1½ cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- ¾ cup packed light brown sugar
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup pure pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
For the Cream Filling:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened completely
- ¼ cup (½ stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 2½ cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
How to Make Pumpkin-Oatmeal-Cream-Pies
These Pumpkin-Oatmeal-Cream-Pies are incredibly easy to prepare and deliver exceptional flavor in every bite. The soft, chewy cookies are perfectly spiced with warming cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger, while the creamy filling adds a luxurious sweetness that balances the earthy pumpkin beautifully. With just 20 minutes of prep time and 12 minutes of baking per batch, you’ll have irresistible homemade sandwich cookies ready in under an hour.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking and ensure even baking. This preparation step is crucial for achieving perfectly shaped cookies.
Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, old-fashioned oats, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and salt. Whisking thoroughly ensures the spices and leavening agent are evenly distributed throughout the flour mixture, which creates consistent flavor in every cookie.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars
In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together on medium-high speed for approximately 3-4 minutes. The mixture should become light, fluffy, and noticeably paler in color. This creaming process incorporates air into the batter, contributing to a tender cookie texture.
Step 4: Add Wet Ingredients
Add the pumpkin puree, egg, and vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture. Beat on medium speed until everything is thoroughly combined and smooth, about 1-2 minutes. Make sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula to ensure all ingredients are fully incorporated.
Step 5: Incorporate Dry Ingredients
With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the flour-oat mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix just until no dry streaks remain, being careful not to overmix, which can result in tough, dense cookies. The dough will be soft and slightly sticky, which is exactly what you want.
Step 6: Portion the Cookies
Using a medium cookie scoop (approximately 1½ tablespoons), drop rounded portions of dough onto your prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. The cookies will spread slightly during baking, so adequate spacing prevents them from merging together. You should get approximately 24-28 cookies total.
Step 7: Bake the Cookies
Place one baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 11-13 minutes, or until the edges appear set but the centers still look slightly soft. The cookies will continue cooking on the hot pan after removal from the oven, so don’t overbake. Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire cooling rack to cool completely. Repeat with remaining dough.
Step 8: Prepare the Cream Filling
While the cookies cool completely, make the cream filling. In a large bowl using an electric mixer, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together on medium-high speed until smooth and creamy, about 2-3 minutes. Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt, beating on low speed initially to prevent a sugar cloud, then increasing to medium-high speed. Beat for an additional 2-3 minutes until the filling is light, fluffy, and perfectly smooth.
Step 9: Assemble the Sandwich Cookies
Once the cookies are completely cooled, match them into pairs of similar sizes. Turn half of the cookies upside down (flat side up). Using a piping bag fitted with a large round tip or simply a spoon, place approximately 2 tablespoons of cream filling onto the flat side of each bottom cookie. Gently press a second cookie on top, flat side down, creating a sandwich. Press gently until the filling just reaches the edges.
Why You’ll Love This Pumpkin-Oatmeal-Cream-Pies Recipe
These Pumpkin-Oatmeal-Cream-Pies showcase the absolute best of fall baking with their perfectly spiced, tender cookies and irresistibly creamy filling. Making them at home saves you significant money compared to specialty bakery prices while allowing you to control ingredient quality and freshness. The combination of warm pumpkin spices, wholesome oats, and tangy cream cheese frosting creates an addictive flavor profile that’s simply unforgettable.
The heartiness of the oatmeal keeps these cookies satisfyingly chewy rather than cake-like, while the pumpkin adds natural moisture and subtle sweetness. If you enjoyed these, you’ll also love our Classic Oatmeal Cream Pies recipe, which offers a similar texture with different flavor notes. Don’t wait another day—gather your ingredients and experience the magic of homemade Pumpkin-Oatmeal-Cream-Pies tonight!
What to Serve Pumpkin-Oatmeal-Cream-Pies With
These delightful sandwich cookies pair wonderfully with numerous beverages and complementary treats. Serve them alongside a steaming mug of spiced chai tea, pumpkin spice latte, or classic hot apple cider to enhance the warm autumn spices. For a cozy afternoon treat, pair them with vanilla ice cream or a glass of cold milk.
They also make an excellent addition to fall dessert spreads alongside pecan pie bars, apple crisp, or cinnamon sugar donuts. For a sophisticated adult gathering, consider pairing them with a cream sherry or dessert wine. They’re also perfect for packing in lunchboxes, bringing to potlucks, or serving at Halloween and Thanksgiving celebrations with hot chocolate or coffee.
Top Tips for Perfecting Pumpkin-Oatmeal-Cream-Pies
Use Pure Pumpkin Puree: Always use plain pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling, which contains added sugars and spices that will throw off the recipe’s balance. If you only have pumpkin pie filling, you’ll need to reduce the spices significantly.
Don’t Overmix the Dough: Once you add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mix just until combined. Overmixing develops gluten, resulting in tough, dense cookies instead of tender, soft ones.
Ensure Proper Cookie Cooling: The cookies must be completely cool before adding filling, or the cream cheese frosting will melt and slide out. Allow at least 30 minutes of cooling time.
Soften Ingredients Properly: Room temperature butter and cream cheese are essential for proper texture. Cold ingredients won’t cream properly, resulting in lumpy filling and dense cookies.
Adjust Spice Levels: Feel free to customize the spice blend to your preference. Add more cinnamon for warmth, increase ginger for zing, or include a dash of cardamom for complexity.
Consistent Cookie Sizes: Using a cookie scoop ensures uniform cookies that bake evenly and are easier to match into pairs for assembly.
Prevent Spreading: If your dough seems too soft and spreads excessively during baking, refrigerate it for 15-20 minutes before scooping and baking.
Health Benefits of Pumpkin-Oatmeal-Cream-Pies
While these are certainly a treat, Pumpkin-Oatmeal-Cream-Pies do offer some nutritional benefits. Pumpkin puree is rich in vitamin A, which supports eye health and immune function, and contains beneficial fiber that aids digestion. The beta-carotene in pumpkin acts as a powerful antioxidant that may help reduce inflammation and protect against certain chronic diseases.
Old-fashioned oats provide soluble fiber, particularly beta-glucan, which supports heart health by helping to lower cholesterol levels. Oats also contribute essential minerals like manganese, phosphorus, and magnesium. The warming spices—cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg—contain anti-inflammatory compounds and may help regulate blood sugar levels. While the cookies contain sugar and butter, making them from scratch allows you to control portions and ingredient quality, avoiding the preservatives and artificial ingredients often found in store-bought versions.
Storing and Reheating Tips
Room Temperature Storage: Store assembled Pumpkin-Oatmeal-Cream-Pies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. Note that the cream cheese filling makes longer room temperature storage inadvisable.
Refrigerator Storage: For longer storage, keep the assembled cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5-7 days. The filling will firm up when chilled, so allow them to sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving for the best texture and flavor.
Freezing Instructions: These cookies freeze beautifully for up to 3 months. For best results, freeze the cookies and filling separately. Place unfilled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet until frozen solid (about 2 hours), then transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag with parchment paper between layers. Store the filling in a separate airtight container. When ready to serve, thaw the cookies at room temperature, let the filling soften, re-whip it briefly, and assemble. Alternatively, you can freeze fully assembled cookies using the same method, though the texture may be slightly less perfect.
Reheating: While these cookies are typically served at room temperature or chilled, you can briefly microwave an assembled cookie for 5-8 seconds to slightly soften it, creating a different but equally delicious texture experience.
Final Thoughts
Pumpkin-Oatmeal-Cream-Pies represent everything wonderful about fall baking—comforting spices, wholesome ingredients, and irresistible sweetness all wrapped up in a perfectly portable package. Whether you’re an experienced baker or just starting your culinary journey, this recipe delivers consistent, impressive results that will have everyone asking for seconds.
The combination of soft, spiced cookies with luxurious cream cheese filling creates a flavor experience that rivals any bakery specialty item, but at a fraction of the cost. These cookies are versatile enough for casual family snacks yet impressive enough for holiday entertaining. Give this recipe a try and discover why Pumpkin-Oatmeal-Cream-Pies have become a beloved autumn tradition in kitchens everywhere!
try also : Easy Pumpkin Dump Cake Recipe and find more in pinterest
Pumpkin-Oatmeal-Cream-Pies FAQs
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend and ensure your oats are certified gluten-free. The texture will be slightly different but still delicious.
Can I use quick oats instead of old-fashioned oats?
While you can substitute quick oats, old-fashioned rolled oats provide better texture and a more substantial chew. Quick oats may result in softer, less textured cookies.
How can I make the filling more stable in warm weather?
Add 2-3 tablespoons of heavy cream to the filling and increase powdered sugar by ¼ cup for a firmer consistency that holds up better at room temperature.
Can I reduce the sugar in this recipe?
You can reduce the sugar in the cookies by up to ¼ cup, though this will affect the texture and spread. The filling needs the full amount of powdered sugar for proper consistency.
What if I don’t have all the spices listed?
You can substitute 2 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice for the individual spices, or simply use cinnamon alone for a simpler flavor profile.
Why are my cookies spreading too much?
Excessive spreading usually indicates the butter was too soft or melted. Ensure butter is softened but still holds its shape, and consider chilling the dough before baking.