Pumpkin-Spiced Sugar Cookies with Orange Zest

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-06 · Updated 2026-05-06

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

Soft sugar cookies infused with pumpkin spice and fresh orange zest for a festive autumn treat. This American-inspired Halloween recipe, ready in about 27 minutes, layers all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt 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 150 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 12 min Serves 24 American cuisine 150 cal/serving

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Ingredients

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup (2 sticks), softened unsalted butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 tbsp fresh orange zest
1/2 cup for dusting powdered sugar

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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 powder, 1/2 tsp salt, and 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice until evenly combined.
Step 3: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream 1 cup softened unsalted butter with 1 cup granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
Step 4: Beat in 1 large egg, 1 tsp vanilla extract, and 1 tbsp fresh orange zest until well incorporated.
Step 5: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined into a soft dough.
Step 6: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough onto prepared baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apart.
Step 7: Bake cookies for 10-12 minutes until edges are lightly golden and centers are set but still soft.
Step 8: Remove from oven and cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
Step 9: Dust cooled cookies with 1/2 cup powdered sugar before serving for a festive finish.