Small Batch Pumpkin Cookies are perfect for when you’re craving a delicious pumpkin chocolate chip cookie but don’t want to commit to a whole batch.

Stacked small batch pumpkin cookies with the top one featuring a missing bite, showcasing their texture.

chelsea

author’s note

Sometimes, I Just Want a Few Cookies!!

I have several small-batch cookie recipes on my website, and honestly, sometimes I make them more often than the full-size batches. If I’m making cookies just for myself or my kids, we don’t always need two dozen sitting on the counter. Sometimes four or five warm cookies are exactly right!

I already have plenty of pumpkin cookie recipes for sharing, including thick and cakey Bakery-Style Pumpkin Cookies, non-cakey pumpkin cookies, and four-ingredient Pumpkin Cookies With a Cake Mix. But I knew I needed a smaller batch of my favorite pumpkin cookies too.

This recipe makes just enough to satisfy the craving without leaving an entire batch behind. It’s also the perfect way to use that little bit of pumpkin left in the can!

signature
Combining the wet ingredients for small batch pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, a crucial step in the baking process.

Ingredients

IngredientTip
Brown Sugar & Granulated SugarSweeten the cookies & keep them soft.
Vanilla Extract & Vegetable OilUse pure vanilla for the best flavor. Melted coconut oil also works.
Egg YolkSave the egg white for Meringue Cookies.
PumpkinUse plain canned pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling.
Salt & Baking PowderBalance the sweetness & help the cookies rise.
Pumpkin Pie Spice & CinnamonAdjust the spices to your preference.
FlourAvoid overmixing once the flour is added.
Chocolate ChipsTry a combination of milk & dark chocolate chips.
    Adding and mixing dry ingredients and chocolate chips for the small batch pumpkin cookies.

    How To Make Small Batch Pumpkin Cookies

    1. Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
    2. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a small bowl, combine wet ingredients. Stir until smooth.
    3. Add Dry Ingredients: Mix dry ingredients together until just combined.
    4. Scoop & Bake: Scoop 4-5 small cookies onto the prepared baking sheet. Bake.
    5. Cool: Let cookies sit on the sheet for 3-5 minutes, then transfer to a rack!

    chelsea’s recipe tips

    Tips For Success

    • Use Good Pumpkin: I prefer Libby’s Canned Pumpkin for its consistent quality. If your pumpkin seems watery, dab off the excess.
    • Measure Precisely: With small quantities, accuracy is key—no eyeballing!
    Cookie dough balls arranged on a baking sheet and freshly baked cookies right out of the oven.

    Storage

    To store these small batch pumpkin cookies, keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

    If you have extra dough, freeze it as individual dough balls for up to 3 months—just bake them from frozen, adding 2-3 minutes to the bake time.

    Use Leftover Pumpkin In:

    Tap stars to rate!
    5 from 6 votes

    Small Batch Pumpkin Cookies

    Small Batch Pumpkin Cookies are perfect for satisfying your pumpkin chocolate chip cravings without making too many cookies!
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 8 minutes
    Total Time: 13 minutes
    Servings: 4 miniature cookies

    Equipment

    Ingredients

    • 1-1/2 tablespoons light brown sugar
    • 1/2 tablespoon granulated sugar
    • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
    • 1 large egg yolk save the whites for another recipe or discard
    • 4 teaspoons canned pumpkin not pumpkin pie filling; use Libby’s for best results
    • 1/8 teaspoon salt
    • 1/8 teaspoon baking powder
    • 1/8 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
    • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • 3 tablespoons flour
    • 2-1/2 tablespoons chocolate chips milk chocolate, semi-sweet, or dark chocolate chips

    Instructions 

    • Preheat oven to 350℉. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper or a silicon baking mat.
    • In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, granulated sugar, vanilla, vegetable oil, egg yolk, and pumpkin. Mix until smooth. (See note 1.)
    • Add salt, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, flour, and chocolate chips. Stir until smooth.
    • Use a tablespoon measure to scoop 4–5 small cookies out of the dough on to the prepared sheet pan. The dough will be sticky. Bake 8–10 minutes or until no longer glossy on top.
    • Remove from oven and let stand on the cookie sheet for 3–5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack. If desired, press a few more chocolate chips into the tops of the cookies. Let cool before eating.
    Final step! Please let us know how it was by leaving a review.

    Recipe Notes

    Note 1: Make sure to measure precisely. With such small quantities, the proportions are very important. (Don’t loosely measure on this recipe.)
    Storage: To store these small batch pumpkin cookies, keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
    If you have extra dough, freeze it as individual dough balls for up to 3 months—just bake them from frozen, adding 2-3 minutes to the bake time.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 83kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 47mg | Sodium: 5mg | Potassium: 28mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 829IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 13mg | Iron: 1mg

    Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

    Meet Chelsea


    Hello, and welcome to Chelsea’s Messy Apron! I’m Chelsea, the recipe developer, food photographer, and writer behind the site. I’m passionate about creating simple, reliable, and delicious recipes that anyone can make.

    Thanks for stopping by—I hope you find something delicious to make!

    More Recipes You'll Love

    5 from 6 votes (1 rating without comment)

    Leave a comment

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    27 Comments

    1. Arlene says:

      Thanks for all the wonderful recipes. Just what I’ve been searching for. Sorry that you have to do all the work creating these delightful recipes. Now we can repeat your recipes and enjoy you’re sweet work. Thanks Arlene

      1. chelseamessyapron says:

        I’m so thrilled you’ve been enjoying the recipe Arlene! 🙂 Thank you so much!

    2. Emily says:

      Is this a healthy recipe?

      1. chelseamessyapron says:

        Healthy in the sense of portion control 🙂

    3. Sheridan says:

      These look delicious and I can’t wait to make them! How many calories?!

      1. chelseamessyapron says:

        Thank you Sheridan! I don’t have the nutritional facts for these cookies, but I would recommend using My Fitness Pal to plug in the ingredients and get those values 🙂

    4. Alia says:

      5 stars
      I have eaten (and baked) lots of cookies in my life, but these…are the BEST cookies EVER. I love how soft and cakey they turned out, and that there was delicious warm chocolate in every bite. I made two batches and got 6 good-sized cookies. I was especially thrilled they turned out well because I was having bad luck baking with pumpkin puree for some other recipes. But I’ll have to make them again because someone swiped a couple of mine and I was most upset lol. Thank you for this amazing recipe! 🙂

      1. chelseamessyapron says:

        YAY! That is so great to hear 🙂 I’m so, so glad you enjoyed these and they worked out so well! Thanks for the comment 🙂

    5. Jenn says:

      These look amazing and I’d like to make a larger batch to share with friends. Do you have a recipe for a full batch of these yummy goodies?

      1. chelseamessyapron says:

        Hey Jenn! I actually do have a pumpkin cookie recipe I’ve been working on for quite some time! I hope to have it published mid-September. It’s for non-cakey pumpkin cookies so I’m not sure if that’s what you are looking for. These ones are definitely more cakey like a typical pumpkin cookie..

    6. Noona says:

      5 stars
      These came out more cake-like than cookies, but still super soft, moist and delicious! It made 3 large rounds for me. Thanks for sharing such a wonderful recipe! YUMMM

      1. chelseamessyapron says:

        Thanks so much for the comment! Glad to hear you liked these 🙂

    7. Debbie says:

      Thanks for such a satisfying recipe! These just came out of the oven and I couldn’t resist trying one. Yum! I have already pinned and am looking forward to making your single serving of chocolate chip oatmeal cookies. Can’t wait!

      1. chelseamessyapron says:

        YAY! So glad to hear you loved them 🙂 Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment and I hope you love the chocolate chip oatmeal ones 🙂

    8. Ryan Edwards says:

      5 stars
      This sated my two strongest addictions…pumpkin treats, and chocolate while still being nutritious and guilt free. I’m going to school to be a Dietitian so I love finding fun healthy treats like this to indulge in. All my friends bust on me for being “weird” and changing up regular dishes to contain more raw foods or less empty calorie sources but I just say they don’t know what they’re missing.

      “p.s.” Don’t keep these within sight after a long run, they won’t last an hour.

      1. chelseamessyapron says:

        Haha thanks for such a fun comment! SO glad to hear you enjoyed these and thanks for the review! And I totally agree on changing up regular dishes – it’s so fun!!

    9. diane says:

      Do you have a whole batch recipe–I could never make just 2 cookies.

    10. Maria says:

      These look so good! And I love the single serving size!!!!! I hardly ever make a full batch of cookies or anything because I feel way too tempted to eat them ALL (instantly! lol) so I love this!!!! 🙂

      1. chelseamessyapron says:

        Haha those were my thoughts when I decided to do single-serving cookies. Having a whole batch is way too tempting! Thanks for stopping by Maria 🙂