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Pumpkin Spice Golden Girls Cookies

If you’re a fan of those light-as-a-feather Golden Girls cookies, complete with cream cheese, but you’re in the mood for holiday flavors, have I got a treat for you! These Pumpkin Pie Spiced Golden Girls cookies are just the ticket—in the fall or any time of year! 

What are Golden Girls? 

Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock for the past 20 - 30 years or so, you’ve probably heard of the amazing comedic TV series called The Golden Girls, featuring four senior ladies: Blanche, Rose, Dorothy, and Sophia. These funny ladies are known for a great many things, but one of them is cheesecake. 

When I heard there was an actual cookie named after this show, I had to try it. If you’ve made my Golden Girls cookies, (my most request recipe) you already know that they’re light, they’re fluffy, and they have a lovely powdered sugar coating. They’re a little bit like tea cakes, that’s how soft they are. 

Today, I got to thinking about those cookies and wondered what they would taste like with fall flavors. I’ve been on a roll making all sorts of pumpkin spice treats lately, and couldn’t help but wonder what my Golden Girls would taste like with that profile. 

A good friend (Janetta) recently made my Golden Girls and added some cinnamon and nutmeg to the mix. I thought, “Why not take it a step further and add traditional pumpkin spice flavors?” 

What is Pumpkin Spice?

If you’ve ever wondered what all of the excitement is about during the fall season, just use the words “pumpkin spice” and watch folks swoon. 

But, what’s in Pumpkin Spice, anyway? 

Turns out, it’s a combination of four ground spices: nutmeg, cinnamon, clove, and ginger. 

There’s something about that combination that makes folks go crazy! And, if you’re like me, you keep a bottle of pumpkin spice seasoning on your spice rack so that you can add it to dishes like my Deep Dish Pumpkin Pie, my Puff Pastry Pumpkin Rolls, and my Easy Pumpkin Bread Pudding. 

I’ve even got some pumpkin-themed cookies. My iced pumpkin spice shortbread cookies are out of this world and I adore my Super Soft Pumpkin Cookies.

None of those have a key ingredient found in Golden Girls, though. And because I happen to be going to an event tonight, I decided to take my cream-cheese infused Golden Girls and dress them up for fall. 

I’ll tell you more about how they turned out momentarily. For now, let’s get busy baking! 

Pumpkin Spice Golden Girls Ingredients

Pumpkin Spice Golden Girls Cheesecake Cookies

You will find a full printable recipe card at the bottom of this post but here’s a quick peek at what you’ll need. These are simple ingredients you might already have in your pantry or refrigerator. 

For the Cookies 

  • 1 stick room temperature butter (salted or unsalted, your choice)
  • 1 block room temperature cream cheese
  • 2 large eggs
  • ¾ cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon salt (if you use unsalted butter)
  • 1 ½ teaspoon pumpkin spice
  • 1 ½ teaspoon cinnamon (ground)

To Coat the Cookies

  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • ½ teaspoon pumpkin spice
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

How to Make Pumpkin Spice Golden Girls Cheesecake Cookies

Are you ready to dive in? Great! Here we go! 

Prep two cookie sheets with parchment paper. 

In a medium bowl combine flour, baking powder, 1 ½ teaspoons pumpkin spice, 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon, and salt. Whisk and set aside. 

Pumpkin Spice Golden Girls Cheesecake Cookies

In a small bowl (or sugar sifter) combine ½ cup powdered sugar, ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, and ½ teaspoon cinnamon. Set aside. 

Place cream cheese and butter in a mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer. Beat until smooth and creamy. 

Pumpkin Spice Golden Girls Cheesecake Cookies

Add brown sugar, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract. Mix well. 

Pumpkin Spice Golden Girls Cheesecake Cookies

Now work in the eggs, beating until smooth. 

Pumpkin Spice Golden Girls Cheesecake Cookies

Add the dry ingredients, mixing only until incorporated. You don’t want to over-mix this recipe. 

Pumpkin Spice Golden Girls Cheesecake Cookies

Place the dough in the refrigerator for half an hour. 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Using a cookie scoop, place dough balls on the cookie sheet. 

Pumpkin Spice Golden Girls Cheesecake Cookies

Place in preheated oven and bake for 12-13 minutes or until set. You don’t want to over bake these cookies. 

Remove and place cookie sheet on wire rack to cool.

Pumpkin Spice Golden Girls Cheesecake Cookies

Sprinkle with the spice-infused powdered sugar. 

Pumpkin Spice Golden Girls Cheesecake Cookies

Serve and enjoy! 

Pumpkin Spice Golden Girls Cheesecake Cookies

Store in an airtight container at room temperature. I don’t recommend freezing these cookies, though you can freeze the dough before baking if you like. They should stay fresh at room temperature for 4-5 days. 

What to Expect from these Cookies

Pumpkin Spice Golden Girls Cheesecake Cookies

Golden Girls always seem to have that soft, pillowy texture you love in a tea cake. There’s a bit of moisture from the cream cheese, which is one reason you absolutely don’t want to over-bake these. That almost-creamy texture is kind of divine! I can almost envision the queen nibbling on these with a steeped cup of Lady Grey.

This version, unlike the original, is punched-up with flavors for the fall season. The cinnamon and pumpkin spice come shining through, especially when added to the powdered sugar. And the overall flavor profile is going to cause your guests to swoon this holiday season.

Serve them at a high tea. Serve them at a Bible study. Serve them to the family. But whatever you do. . .serve them. And the sooner, the better. (You’re welcome!) Thanks to my friend, author Janetta Messmer, for giving me the idea to add fall flavors to my already-delicious cookie. Now that’s a good friend right there! All in all, I think you’re going to love these delicious fall cheesecake cookies, y’all! 

Variations on this Golden Girls Cookies Recipe

I have done three or four versions of this cookie so far: the original, chocolate, Italian Cream Cake, and now this one. Here are some others I’m considering: 

Peppermint: I’m thinking at Christmas time I’m going to do a white chocolate and peppermint version. I haven’t worked out the details yet, but they’re coming! 

Orange Cranberry: Here’s another holiday flavor profile that might be good with this soft cookie base. Zested orange and cranberries? Yes, please! 

Lemon: This is the most obvious choice. I plan to make these with lemon zest soon. 

Other Cream Cheese Favorites

If you like cream cheese in your desserts, here are some popular ones from Out of the Box Baking: 

For more Pumpkin Spice dessert ideas, visit my Pumpkin Patch post!

That’s it for this post, friends! I hope you enjoyed this delicious recipe. 

If you make this recipe and love it, don’t forget to leave a review and a comment below. And while you're at it, go ahead and pin some photos to your Pinterest boards!

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Pumpkin Spice Golden Girls Cheesecake Cookies

Pumpkin Spice Golden Girls Cheesecake Cookies

Yield: 24
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Additional Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes

If you’re a fan of those light-as-a-feather Golden Girls cookies, completely with cream cheese, but you’re in the mood for holiday flavors, have I got a treat for you! These Pumpkin Pie Spiced Golden Girls are just the ticket—in the fall or any time of year!

Ingredients

  • For the Cookies
  • 1 stick room temperature butter (salted or unsalted, your choice)
  • 1 block room temperature cream cheese
  • 2 large eggs
  • ¾ cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon salt (if you use unsalted butter)
  • 1 ½ teaspoon pumpkin spice
  • 1 ½ teaspoon cinnamon (ground)
  • To Coat the Cookies
  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • ½ teaspoon pumpkin spice
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

    Prep two cookie sheets with parchment paper.

    In a medium bowl combine flour, baking powder, 1 ½ teaspoons pumpkin spice, 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon, and salt. Whisk and set aside.

    In a small bowl (or sugar sifter) combine ½ cup powdered sugar, ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, and ½ teaspoon cinnamon. Set aside.

    Place cream cheese and butter in a mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer. Beat until smooth and creamy.

    Add brown sugar, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract. Mix well.
    Now work in the eggs, beating until smooth.

    Add the dry ingredients, mixing only until incorporated. You don’t want to over-mix this recipe.

    Place the dough in the refrigerator for half an hour.

    Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

    Using a cookie scoop, place dough balls on the cookie sheet.

    Place in preheated oven and bake for 12-13 minutes or until set. You don’t want to over bake these cookies.

    Remove and place cookie sheet on wire rack to cool.

    Sprinkle with the spice-infused powdered sugar.

    Serve and enjoy!

    Store in an airtight container at room temperature. I don’t recommend freezing these cookies, though you can freeze the dough before baking if you like. They should stay fresh at room temperature for 4-5 days.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 24 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 152Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 27mgSodium: 135mgCarbohydrates: 24gFiber: 1gSugar: 13gProtein: 2g

The nutrition information is a product of online calculators. I try to provide true and accurate information, but these numbers are estimates.

Janetta

Thursday 10th of October 2024

Wow! Looking forward to making these. Pumpkin spice rules!

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