Pumpkin-Spiced Chocolate Chip Cookies with Orange Zest
Soft cookies combining warm pumpkin spice and bright orange zest with classic chocolate chips for a festive seasonal treat. This American-inspired Halloween recipe, ready in about 34 minutes, layers all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 24, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks), softened unsalted butter
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp orange zest
- 1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg, 1/2 tsp ground ginger, and 1/2 tsp salt until evenly combined.
- Step 3: In a large bowl, beat 1 cup softened unsalted butter, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, and 3/4 cup packed brown sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
- Step 4: Add 1/2 cup pumpkin puree, 2 large eggs, 2 tsp vanilla extract, and 1 tbsp orange zest to the butter mixture and beat until smooth.
- Step 5: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined.
- Step 6: Fold in 1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips evenly.
- Step 7: Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart.
- Step 8: Bake cookies for 12-14 minutes until edges are set and lightly golden but centers remain soft.
- Step 9: Cool cookies on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pumpkin-Spiced Chocolate Chip Cookies with Orange Zest take to make?
Total time is about 34 minutes (20 min prep + 14 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Pumpkin-Spiced Chocolate Chip Cookies with Orange Zest?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pumpkin-Spiced Chocolate Chip Cookies with Orange Zest?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Pumpkin-Spiced Chocolate Chip Cookies with Orange Zest for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 24 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 24). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Pumpkin-Spiced Chocolate Chip Cookies with Orange Zest?
American halloween like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Loved it! Perfect for Halloween.
- ★★★★★
My kids loved these for Halloween! The pumpkin and orange zest were perfect.
- ★★★★☆
Tasted great but took 10 minutes longer to bake than the recipe said.
