📖 Instructions

1. Get started by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper. This stops the cookies from sticking and makes cleanup way easier. Trust me, you'll thank me later!
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and both sugars until light and fluffy. This usually takes about 3-5 minutes with an electric mixer. Don’t skimp on this step; it's what makes the cookies soft!
3. Beat in the pumpkin puree and vanilla extract until well combined. The mixture should look smooth and creamy. If it seems a little separated, don't worry, it will come together in the next steps.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda, and salt. Make sure there aren’t any lumps! Nobody wants a lumpy cookie.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix! Overmixing leads to tough cookies, and nobody wants that.
6. Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4-inch thickness. If the dough is too sticky, chill it in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes before rolling.
7. Use cookie cutters to cut out your desired shapes, or simply use a knife to cut into squares or rectangles. Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie.
8. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown. Keep a close eye on them; they can go from perfect to burnt in a matter of seconds!
9. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents them from breaking.
10. While the cookies are cooling, prepare the frosting. In a medium bowl, beat together the cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and a splash of milk until smooth and creamy. Add more milk, one teaspoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.
11. Once the cookies are completely cool, frost them with the cream cheese frosting. Decorate with a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice or a drizzle of caramel sauce, if desired. Let the frosting set for about 15-20 minutes before serving.