Pumpkin Spice Crinkle Cookies (Easy Cake Mix Recipe)

Make these easy Pumpkin Spice Crinkle Cookies with spice cake mix and real pumpkin! Soft, fluffy, cake-like centers and beautiful powdered sugar cracks.

If you're looking for a simple fall cookie recipe that fills your kitchen with the wonderful aroma of pumpkin and warm spices, you've come to the right place! These Pumpkin Spice Crinkle Cookies start with a box of spice cake mix and a little pumpkin puree, making them one of the easiest autumn treats you'll ever bake.

And just wait until you see how pretty they are!

These soft, cake-like cookies have a beautiful golden-brown color beneath a snowy coating of powdered sugar. As they bake, the tops develop those familiar crinkles and cracks, giving each cookie its own unique appearance.

They're almost like little pumpkin tea cakes!

Best of all, there's no need to light a fall-scented candle when guests are on the way. Just pop a batch of these cookies into the oven and let the real pumpkin and warm spices work their magic.

A New Twist on Cake Mix Crinkle Cookies

I've been on something of a crinkle cookie adventure lately, experimenting with different cake mixes, flavors, and colors.

There's something so satisfying about watching a simple ball of cookie dough transform into a beautiful crinkled cookie, with the color of the dough peeking through that white powdered sugar.

And since we're right in the middle of fall baking season, I knew I wanted to try a pumpkin version.

Originally, I'd hoped to use a pumpkin-flavored cake mix, but when that wasn't available, I decided to work with a box of spice cake mix and add real pumpkin puree.

As it turns out, that substitution gave these cookies a personality all their own!

Unlike some of my other cake mix crinkle cookies, these didn't spread very much in the oven. Instead, they puffed up into soft, tender little rounds with a texture that's much closer to a miniature cake than a traditional chewy cookie.

Once I broke one open, I could see that lovely, delicate crumb inside.

And the contrast between the warm brown cookie and the snowy powdered sugar? Exactly what I was hoping for!

What Makes These Pumpkin Crinkle Cookies Special?

For starters, they're incredibly easy to make. A boxed spice cake mix does most of the heavy lifting, while pumpkin puree adds moisture, color, and that unmistakable autumn character.

The texture is what really sets these cookies apart. They're not dense or fudgy, and they're definitely not chewy. Instead, they're soft, puffy, and cake-like, almost like little pumpkin tea cakes.

They're also lovely for fall gatherings, church potlucks, Thanksgiving dessert trays, or an afternoon visit with friends.

And because they're made with a cake mix, you don't have to spend the afternoon measuring flour, baking powder, and other dry ingredients.

Ingredients for Pumpkin Spice Crinkle Cookies

You'll find the full printable recipe card at the bottom of this post. Here's a quick look at what you'll need.

• 1 box spice cake mix
• Pumpkin puree — see recipe card for the amount
• 2 large eggs
• ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, optional
• Granulated sugar, for rolling, if using
• Powdered sugar, for rolling

A note about the pumpkin: Be sure to use plain pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling. The two products are quite different, and pumpkin pie filling contains additional ingredients.

A note about the spice: Spice cake mix already contains warm spices, so you can adjust the additional pumpkin pie spice to suit your preferences. I used a full teaspoon in my test batch, but I'm suggesting ½ teaspoon as an optional starting point for readers who prefer a milder flavor.

How to Make Pumpkin Spice Crinkle Cookies

These cookies come together with very little effort. Here's how to make them.

Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Sheets

Preheat your oven to the temperature listed in the recipe card.

Line your baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats and set them aside.

Step 2: Mix the Dough

Place the wet ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Mix well.

Add the dry ingredients (cake mix and spice).

Mix until everything is well combined and you have a thick cookie dough.

Step 3: Shape and Coat the Cookies

Scoop the dough into evenly sized portions and roll them into balls.

If using the two-sugar method, roll each ball lightly in granulated sugar first, then generously in powdered sugar.

Make sure the cookies have a good coating of powdered sugar. That's what creates the beautiful white finish.

Step 4: Flatten Slightly

Place the coated dough balls on your prepared baking sheets, leaving room between them.

Gently press each one down a little before baking.

Here's something I discovered while testing this recipe: Even when I flattened the dough before baking, these cookies still puffed up quite a bit! That's part of their charm.

Step 5: Bake

Bake until the cookies have puffed up, developed cracks across their powdered sugar coating, and are set.

Let them rest on the baking sheet briefly before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

As they cool, the cookies may settle slightly, but they'll retain that lovely cake-like texture.

Why Do Crinkle Cookies Crack?

Have you ever wondered what causes those beautiful cracks on top of a crinkle cookie?

It's actually a fun little bit of baking science!

As the cookies bake, the heat causes the dough to expand. Meanwhile, the outside begins to set.

The cookie continues to rise and spread, but the surface can't stretch indefinitely. Eventually, the top splits, creating those familiar cracks and revealing the darker cookie underneath.

The powdered sugar makes those cracks especially dramatic because it creates a bright white contrast against the colored dough.

With these pumpkin spice cookies, the effect is particularly pretty. The golden-brown dough peeks through the white coating, giving them a rustic, old-fashioned appearance.

Baker's tip: A generous coating of powdered sugar helps make the crinkles more noticeable. Some bakers also roll their cookies in granulated sugar before adding powdered sugar to help the white coating remain distinct.

What Do Pumpkin Spice Crinkle Cookies Taste Like?

These cookies combine the familiar warm spices of a spice cake with the mellow flavor of pumpkin.

But their texture might surprise you!

Rather than the chewy center you might expect from a traditional crinkle cookie, these are soft and cake-like throughout.

They're almost like miniature pumpkin tea cakes, with a delicate crumb beneath that beautiful cracked coating.

That makes them especially nice alongside a cup of coffee or tea.

Fun Variations to Try

One of my favorite things about baking is finding ways to take a simple recipe in a completely new direction.

And these cookies have all sorts of possibilities!

Make Pumpkin Spice Sandwich Cookies

Because these cookies are so soft and cake-like, I think they'd make wonderful sandwich cookies. Try pairing two cookies with a layer of cookie butter buttercream. That warm, caramelized cookie flavor would be a lovely complement to the pumpkin and spices.

My cinnamon buttercream would be another delicious option. Or keep things simple with a classic cream cheese buttercream. The slight tang of cream cheese would balance the sweetness while allowing the pumpkin spice flavor to shine.

Try a Different Cake Mix

If you happen to find a pumpkin-flavored cake mix, you could experiment with that as your base. A yellow or white cake mix with pumpkin puree and additional spices might also work, although the proportions and finished texture could be different.

And here's another idea I'm saving for a future baking day: Make a batch of spice cake crinkle cookies without the pumpkin and compare the results! I suspect those would have a more traditional cookie texture, but that's an experiment for another day.

Make Them for a Fall Cookie Tray

These cookies would look beautiful alongside chocolate crinkles, sugar crinkles, and other autumn cookies. The powdered sugar coating gives them a festive appearance without requiring any frosting or elaborate decorating.

More Pumpkin Recipes to Try

If you love pumpkin desserts, I've got plenty of other recipes for you to explore here at Out of the Box Baking!

How to Make Pumpkin Pound Cake from Cake Mix: This is another easy way to turn a boxed cake mix into a lovely fall dessert. It's perfect for sharing with friends or serving with coffee.

Super Soft Pumpkin Cookies: If you're a fan of soft, tender cookies, you'll want to check out this delicious fall favorite.

Pumpkin Spice Golden Girls Cookies: These old-fashioned cookies are another fun way to enjoy the flavors of autumn.

Easy Pumpkin Dump Cake with Spice Cake Mix: If you've got another box of spice cake mix in the pantry, this easy dessert is a wonderful way to use it.

Pumpkin Spice Cinnamon Rolls with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Glaze: For those mornings when you want your whole kitchen to smell like fall, these are a terrific choice.

From the Pumpkin Patch: Favorite Pumpkin Desserts: Looking for even more ideas? This collection brings together a variety of pumpkin recipes for the season.

More Crinkle Cookie Recipes

Who knew a simple box of cake mix could turn into so many beautiful cookies? From rich chocolate and buttery classics to fruity favorites and festive holiday treats, there's a crinkle cookie for every occasion. Each one has its own personality, but they all share those irresistible powdered sugar cracks!

Take a peek at the whole crinkle cookie collection:

• Easy Sugar Crinkle Cookies (Cake Mix Recipe) – A sweet, simple classic with tender centers and beautiful snowy tops.
• Easy Chocolate Crinkle Cookies (Cake Mix Recipe) – Rich, chocolatey goodness wrapped in a crackly coat of powdered sugar.
• Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies (Cake Mix Recipe) – Gorgeous ruby-red cookies with a little old-fashioned Southern charm.
• Strawberry Crinkle Cookies (Cake Mix Recipe) – Pretty in pink, bursting with sweet strawberry flavor.
• Orange Crinkle Cookies (Cake Mix Recipe) – Bright, citrusy cookies that bring a little sunshine to the cookie platter.
• Golden Butter Crinkle Cookies (Cake Mix Recipe) – Buttery, tender, and wonderfully simple, with delicate golden color.
• Christmas Crinkle Cookie (Cake Mix Recipe) – Festive red and green beauties that practically beg for a spot on your holiday cookie tray!

Can't decide? Bake a couple of flavors and put together your own colorful crinkle cookie platter. It's an easy way to make an ordinary batch of cookies feel extra special!

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my pumpkin crinkle cookies so puffy?

Pumpkin puree adds moisture and changes the consistency of the dough. Combined with the leavening already present in the cake mix, it can produce a soft, cake-like cookie that rises more than it spreads. That's exactly what happened with my batch!

Are pumpkin crinkle cookies supposed to be chewy?

Not this version! These cookies have a soft, tender, cake-like interior. Think of them as miniature pumpkin tea cakes rather than chewy traditional cookies.

Can I use pumpkin pie filling instead of pumpkin puree?

I recommend plain pumpkin puree. Pumpkin pie filling contains added sugar and spices, which can change the flavor and consistency of the dough.

Do I have to add pumpkin pie spice?

No. Spice cake mix already contains warm spices, so the additional pumpkin pie spice is optional. Start with ½ teaspoon if you'd like a little extra fall flavor.

Why did my powdered sugar crack?

That's exactly what you want! As the cookies expand in the oven, their outer coating separates, creating the signature crinkle appearance.

Can I make these cookies into sandwich cookies?

Absolutely! Their soft, cake-like texture makes them a natural candidate for sandwich cookies. Try cookie butter buttercream, cinnamon buttercream, or cream cheese buttercream between two cooled cookies.

Can I freeze pumpkin crinkle cookies?

These should freeze well once fully cooled. Arrange them in an airtight freezer-safe container with parchment between layers. Keep in mind that the powdered sugar coating may become less distinct as the cookies thaw.

How should I store these cookies?

Store the completely cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for a few days. Because they're made with pumpkin puree, they're quite moist, so avoid packing them while they're still warm.

Final Thoughts

I have to tell you, these pumpkin spice crinkle cookies were such a fun surprise!

I started out hoping to create a pretty fall cookie with that beautiful contrast between golden-brown dough and snowy powdered sugar.

What I ended up with was something even more interesting: a soft, puffy little pumpkin tea cake dressed up like a crinkle cookie!

They're simple, festive, and full of cozy autumn character.

And if you're expecting company, you can skip the fall candle. Just bake a batch of these cookies and let the aroma of pumpkin and warm spices welcome everyone through the door.

That's my kind of fall baking!

Thanks for Stopping By!

Thanks so much for spending a little time with me here at Out of the Box Baking! I hope these Pumpkin Spice Crinkle Cookies inspire you to grab a box of cake mix and try something new.

If you make them, I'd love to hear how yours turn out.

And while you're here, don't forget to browse my other cake mix cookies, pumpkin desserts, and easy baking tutorials.

Happy baking, friends! (Before you go, please pin some photos to your Pinterest boards! I love it when folks share my recipes!)

Janice Thompson is a professional baker, cake designer, and author with over 20 years of experience creating unique cakes and desserts. She’s the creator of Out of the Box Baking, where she shares her favorite doctored cake mix recipes, tutorials, and baking tips. Learn more →

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