When fall arrives and the air turns crisp, nothing captures the cozy spirit quite like the warm nostalgia of s’mores, reimagined here in cookie form with autumnal pumpkin spice. These Pumpkin S’mores Cookies balance soft, tender dough infused with pumpkin puree and warm spices, while the chocolate chips, gooey marshmallows, and graham cracker pieces add layers of texture and campfire charm.
Each bite feels like a campfire memory turned into something sweet and homemade. Whether you’re sharing them at a gathering, tucking them into lunchboxes, or enjoying one fresh from the oven with a hot drink, these cookies bring a touch of fall magic to every moment.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients:
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1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
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¾ cup packed brown sugar
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¼ cup granulated sugar
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½ cup pumpkin puree (100% pure, not pie filling)
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1 large egg
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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2¼ cups all-purpose flour
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1 teaspoon baking soda
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1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
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½ teaspoon salt
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1 cup chocolate chips
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1 cup mini marshmallows
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8 graham crackers, broken into small pieces
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Orange food coloring (optional)
Directions:
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Preheat oven to 350 °F (175 °C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
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In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
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Beat in the pumpkin puree, egg, vanilla extract, and optional orange food coloring until well combined.
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In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice, and salt.
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Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined—avoid over-mixing.
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Gently fold in the chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, and graham cracker pieces.
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Using a small cookie scoop or spoon, drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the prepared baking sheet, about 2 inches apart. Press a few extra marshmallows, chocolate chips, and graham cracker bits on top of each cookie.
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Bake for 12–14 minutes, until the edges are golden and the centers remain soft.
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Allow the cookies to cool on the sheet for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling. Serve at room temperature, warming briefly in the microwave revives gooeyness.
Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cooking Time: 12–14 minutes | Total Time: ~35 minutes
Kcal: ~232 kcal per cookie | Servings: ~24 cookies
Pumpkin S’mores Cookies – The Perfect Fall Twist on a Campfire Classic
There’s something magical about autumn, the crisp air, the rustling of fallen leaves, and the warm aroma of baking that fills the kitchen. As the weather cools, we naturally gravitate toward comforting flavors and nostalgic treats. One dessert that perfectly blends the charm of fall with the fun of a campfire is Pumpkin S’mores Cookies. Imagine the gooey sweetness of traditional s’mores, melty chocolate, toasted marshmallows, and crunchy graham crackers, combined with the earthy sweetness and warmth of pumpkin spice. The result? A cookie that feels like a cozy blanket for your taste buds.
This recipe is more than just a seasonal twist, it’s a celebration of everything we love about fall. The pumpkin puree adds a moist, tender crumb, while the pumpkin pie spice infuses each bite with warm, aromatic notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. Paired with rich chocolate chips, fluffy marshmallows, and the nostalgic crunch of graham crackers, it’s a cookie that captures the essence of autumn in every bite.
Why Pumpkin S’mores Cookies are a Must-Try
When you think of s’mores, you probably picture summer nights spent around the campfire, roasting marshmallows under the stars. But who says s’mores are only for summer? By introducing pumpkin and warm spices into the mix, you can transform this classic treat into a fall-friendly indulgence.
Here’s why these cookies deserve a place in your recipe collection:
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Seasonal Flavor Fusion – Pumpkin and s’mores are a match made in dessert heaven. The pumpkin adds a natural sweetness and moisture to the cookies, while the spices bring that unmistakable autumn aroma.
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Soft, Chewy Perfection – The addition of pumpkin puree ensures a tender, moist cookie base that stays soft for days.
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Fun Texture Mix – Each bite offers a delightful contrast: the softness of the cookie, the gooeyness of the marshmallows, the richness of the chocolate, and the crunch of the graham crackers.
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Crowd-Pleaser – These cookies are perfect for family gatherings, school bake sales, fall festivals, or simply as an after-dinner treat.
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Easy to Make – No complicated steps or fancy equipment required, just mix, scoop, and bake.
Ingredients That Make the Magic Happen
While the ingredient list is simple, each component plays an important role in creating the perfect cookie:
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Pumpkin Puree – Adds moisture, sweetness, and that classic pumpkin flavor. Be sure to use pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling, to avoid unwanted added sugar or spices.
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Pumpkin Pie Spice – A fragrant blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves that instantly evokes autumn.
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Chocolate Chips – Semi-sweet works beautifully to balance the sweetness of the marshmallows, but milk or dark chocolate can also be used depending on preference.
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Mini Marshmallows – The gooey heart of every s’more. In cookies, they melt slightly, creating pockets of sweetness.
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Graham Crackers – Provide crunch and a subtle honey flavor, tying the dessert back to the traditional campfire treat.
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Butter & Sugars – The combination of brown and white sugar gives depth of flavor and the perfect chewy texture.
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Egg & Vanilla – Help bind the dough and add richness.
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Flour, Baking Soda, Salt – The structural backbone of the cookies, ensuring they bake evenly.
Tips for Baking the Perfect Pumpkin S’mores Cookies
While the recipe is straightforward, a few tricks can make them bakery-level good:
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Chill the Dough – Pumpkin puree adds extra moisture to cookie dough, which can sometimes cause spreading during baking. Chilling the dough for at least 30 minutes helps the cookies hold their shape.
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Extra Toppings – Press a few extra chocolate chips, marshmallows, and graham cracker pieces on top of each dough ball before baking. This not only makes them look more appealing but also ensures every bite is loaded with flavor.
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Avoid Overbaking – The cookies should look slightly underbaked when you remove them from the oven. They’ll continue to set as they cool, staying soft and chewy.
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Storage – Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze the baked cookies for up to 2 months and reheat briefly before serving.
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Make-Ahead Friendly – You can prepare the dough ahead of time, refrigerate it for up to 48 hours, and bake fresh cookies whenever you need them.
Variations to Try
One of the best things about this recipe is how adaptable it is. Here are some fun twists you can try:
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White Chocolate & Cinnamon Chips – Swap out the semi-sweet chocolate chips for white chocolate and cinnamon baking chips for a sweeter, spicier twist.
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Stuffed Cookies – Place a whole marshmallow in the center of each dough ball for an extra gooey surprise when you bite in.
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Nutty Addition – Add chopped pecans or walnuts for extra crunch and a nutty flavor that pairs beautifully with pumpkin.
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Gluten-Free – Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend and gluten-free graham crackers to make the recipe friendly for those with dietary restrictions.
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Espresso Kick – Add a teaspoon of instant espresso powder to the dough for a subtle coffee note that complements the chocolate and pumpkin.
Pairing Ideas
These cookies are delicious on their own, but pairing them with a drink can elevate the experience:
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Hot Chocolate – Double the chocolate pleasure with a rich, creamy mug of cocoa topped with whipped cream.
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Pumpkin Spice Latte – A natural match that intensifies the pumpkin spice flavor.
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Chai Tea – The warm spices in chai harmonize beautifully with the cookie’s flavor profile.
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Milk – Classic, simple, and perfect for dunking.
Perfect for Any Occasion
Pumpkin S’mores Cookies aren’t just for dessert, they can be the star of so many occasions:
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Thanksgiving Dessert Table – A unique alternative to pumpkin pie.
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Halloween Party – Festive and fun, especially if you add orange and black sprinkles.
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Fall Bake Sale – Eye-catching and irresistible to customers.
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Gifting – Wrap them in cellophane bags with a ribbon for a thoughtful homemade gift.
Conclusion
Pumpkin S’mores Cookies are the ultimate fusion of seasonal flavors and campfire nostalgia. They combine everything we love about fall, pumpkin spice, cozy aromas, and comforting sweetness, with the playful indulgence of chocolate, marshmallows, and graham crackers. Soft, chewy, and bursting with flavor, these cookies are as perfect for a family gathering as they are for a solo coffee break.
Baking them fills your home with a warm, spiced fragrance that makes it feel like autumn has truly arrived. And when you take that first bite, you’ll be reminded that the best desserts aren’t just about taste, they’re about memories, feelings, and sharing something special with the people you love. Whether enjoyed fresh from the oven or a day later with a warm drink, these cookies are bound to become a fall tradition in your home.