If you’re on the hunt for a cookie recipe that’s bursting with cozy fall vibes and fun Halloween flair, you’re going to absolutely love this Pumpkin Spice Cookies with White Chocolate Chips & Halloween M&M’s Recipe. These cookies combine the warm, comforting spices of pumpkin with the creamy sweetness of white chocolate, plus the festive crunch and color of Halloween M&M’s. Trust me, once you try this recipe, it’ll be your go-to treat every autumn (and especially around Halloween)! Stick with me—I’ll walk you through all my tips to make them perfectly soft, chewy, and just sweet enough.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect Fall Flavors: Pumpkin spice gives these cookies a nostalgic, warming taste that screams autumn.
- Fun Festive Touch: Halloween M&M’s add colorful pops and a crunchy texture that your family will adore.
- Soft & Chewy Texture: The combination of cornflour and careful mixing delivers a cookie that’s never dry or crumbly.
- Super Easy & Quick: You can whip these up in around 20 minutes—perfect for last-minute baking needs.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting your ingredients right is where this Pumpkin Spice Cookies with White Chocolate Chips & Halloween M&M’s Recipe really shines. These basics blend beautifully to create that signature chewy texture and flavor—plus, keep an eye out for good-quality white chocolate chips and festive M&M’s to lock in sweetness and crunch.
- Plain Flour: The base of your cookies; make sure it’s sifted to avoid lumps and ensure a tender crumb.
- Bicarbonate of Soda: Gives a gentle leavening that helps your cookies puff slightly without spreading too thin.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the other flavors.
- Cornflour: This is the secret to the soft, cakey texture that I absolutely love in these cookies.
- Pumpkin Spice Mix: Of course the star spice blend! Freshly mixed is best, but store-bought works fine too.
- Unsalted Butter: Room temperature for easy creaming, which creates that light, fluffy dough.
- Brown Sugar: Adds chewiness and a rich molasses note.
- Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and structure so your cookies aren’t too dense.
- Egg: Binds everything together—make sure it’s fresh for best texture.
- Vanilla Extract: A tiny splash intensifies the warm flavors and adds depth.
- White Chocolate Chips: These melt slightly, giving streaks of creamy sweetness that pair perfectly with spice.
- Halloween M&M’s: Choose your favorite festive colors or pumpkin shapes for a fun pop in every bite.
Variations
I love mixing up this Pumpkin Spice Cookies with White Chocolate Chips & Halloween M&M’s Recipe depending on the occasion or what I have in my pantry. Don’t be shy about personalizing it—you’ll find a twist or two that makes it even more “you.”
- Nutty Twist: I sometimes fold in chopped pecans or walnuts for crunchy bites—this adds a lovely earthiness.
- Chocolate Swap: If white chocolate isn’t your thing, dark or milk chocolate chips work wonderfully, too.
- Dairy-Free Option: Replace butter with a vegan margarine and use dairy-free chocolate chips to make these friendly for dairy-sensitive friends.
- Spice It Up: Add a pinch of ground cloves or nutmeg in addition to the pumpkin spice to enhance those warm notes.
How to Make Pumpkin Spice Cookies with White Chocolate Chips & Halloween M&M’s Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Space and Ingredients
Start by preheating your oven to 180ºC (160ºC fan). Line two or three large baking trays with parchment paper—this helps prevent sticking and ensures even baking. While that heats up, get your butter softened to room temperature; this makes creaming with the sugars a breeze and really impacts the texture of your cookies.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars
I love using my electric whisk here to really beat the butter and sugars until they’re light and fluffy—about two minutes. If you’re doing it by hand, just stick with a whisk and a bit of muscle for around three minutes. This step is key because it aerates the mixture, helping your cookies rise just right.
Step 3: Add Vanilla and Egg
Next up, pour in the vanilla extract and crack in your egg. Whisk again until it’s fully combined. This ensures the cookie dough will hold together nicely without being greasy or dry.
Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, sift together the plain flour, bicarbonate of soda, salt, cornflour, and pumpkin spice mix. This helps distribute the leavening agents and spices evenly throughout the dough, so every cookie tastes consistent and balanced.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Overmixing can make your cookies tough, so stop as soon as you see a uniform dough.
Step 6: Fold in White Chocolate Chips and Halloween M&M’s
Now for the fun part: fold in those white chocolate chips and festive Halloween M&M’s. You want them evenly distributed so each bite delivers creamy sweetness and a festive crunch.
Step 7: Scoop, Shape, and Bake
Using a cookie scoop makes portioning easy and ensures that your cookies bake evenly. Once scooped, roll each portion gently into balls. Place them on your lined trays spaced apart—they’ll spread a bit but won’t run too thin thanks to the cornflour. Bake for about 10-13 minutes until the edges turn golden but the centers still look soft.
Step 8: Cool and Enjoy!
Once out of the oven, let the cookies cool for about 5 minutes on the trays — they firm up and finish baking from the residual heat. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. This keeps them from getting soggy underneath. I promise, the smell alone will have you sneaking bites before they’re even fully cooled!
Pro Tips for Making Pumpkin Spice Cookies with White Chocolate Chips & Halloween M&M’s Recipe
- Room Temperature Butter: I learned this the hard way—cold butter won’t cream properly, affecting texture. So, plan ahead to soften it.
- Don’t Overmix: Overworking the dough activates gluten, making cookies tough. Stir until just combined for a tender crumb.
- Cookie Scoop Magic: Using a scoop means cookies bake uniformly and prevents one batch from overbaking while others are underdone.
- Watch the Bake Time: I avoid overbaking by checking at 10 minutes—cookies look soft in the center but will firm as they cool.
How to Serve Pumpkin Spice Cookies with White Chocolate Chips & Halloween M&M’s Recipe
Garnishes
I love to sprinkle a few extra Halloween M&M’s or even a tiny dusting of pumpkin spice powder on top of warm cookies right after baking—it adds a festive flair and extra aroma that makes it hard to resist grabbing one (or three!).
Side Dishes
These cookies pair beautifully with a comforting cup of spiced chai tea or a warm latte. For a fun treat table, serve alongside pumpkin soup or a fruit salad featuring fall fruits like apple and pear.
Creative Ways to Present
When I’m serving these at Halloween parties, I arrange them on black or orange platters surrounded by mini pumpkins and autumn leaves—simple but super festive. Wrapping a few cookies in cellophane with a festive ribbon also makes an adorable gift for trick-or-treaters or neighbors.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover cookies keep well in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. I like to add a slice of bread inside the container to keep them extra soft and moist—it’s a trick that really works!
Freezing
You can freeze these cookies baked or as dough balls. For baked cookies, freeze in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months. For dough, freeze on a tray then store them in a bag—bake straight from frozen, adding a couple of minutes to baking time.
Reheating
To enjoy leftovers warm (my favorite), pop cookies in the microwave for about 10 seconds or heat in a low oven for a few minutes. This brings back that freshly baked softness and makes the white chocolate extra melty.
FAQs
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Can I substitute the Halloween M&M’s with another candy?
Absolutely! You can swap Halloween M&M’s for any small candy pieces like Reese’s Pieces, regular M&M’s, or even chopped candy bars. Just keep the texture in mind—softer candies may melt more in the oven, changing the cookie’s finish.
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What can I use if I don’t have pumpkin spice mix?
No worries! You can make a simple blend with ground cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and a pinch of cloves or allspice. I sometimes mix 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon ginger, and a dash of cloves to recreate that classic pumpkin spice flavor at home.
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Why do these cookies use cornflour?
Cornflour helps soften the texture, making the cookies tender and slightly cakey instead of tough or chewy like typical drop cookies. It’s a small addition that makes a big difference in the final bite!
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Can I make this recipe vegan?
You can! Replace butter with vegan margarine or coconut oil and use a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water) instead of the egg. Also, choose vegan white chocolate chips and ensure the candy is dairy-free.
Final Thoughts
I absolutely love how this Pumpkin Spice Cookies with White Chocolate Chips & Halloween M&M’s Recipe brings together all the best parts of fall into one delicious bite. It’s the kind of recipe that feels like a warm hug with every cookie—perfect for sharing with family or gifting to friends. When I first tried this, I was hooked not just on the flavors but on how easy it was to make something that looks and tastes so special. So, go ahead, try it out—you’ll be delighted with how festive, flavorful, and downright fun these cookies are!
PrintPumpkin Spice Cookies with White Chocolate Chips & Halloween M&M’s Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 16 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delight in these festive Pumpkin Spice Cookies, bursting with warm autumn flavors and studded with creamy white chocolate chips and colorful Halloween-themed M&M’s. Perfectly soft and chewy, these easy-to-bake cookies capture the essence of fall in every bite, making them an ideal treat for Halloween celebrations or cozy autumn snacking.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 300 g plain flour
- 1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp cornflour
- 1-2 tsps pumpkin spice mix
Wet Ingredients
- 115 g unsalted butter
- 100 g brown sugar
- 100 g granulated sugar
- 1 medium egg
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Add-ins
- 200 g white chocolate chips
- 100 g orange/pumpkin/Halloween M&Ms
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Trays: Preheat your oven to 180ºC (160ºC fan). Line two to three large baking trays with parchment paper and set them aside for later.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: Using an electric whisk, cream together the unsalted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar for about two minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy. If whisking by hand, extend this step to three minutes for the best texture.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Incorporate the vanilla extract and the egg into the creamed butter and sugar mixture. Whisk again until fully combined and smooth.
- Mix in Dry Ingredients: Add the plain flour, bicarbonate of soda, salt, cornflour, and pumpkin spice mix to the wet ingredients. Stir the mixture until all the dry ingredients are just combined, forming the cookie dough.
- Fold in Chocolate and M&Ms: Gently fold in the white chocolate chips and orange/pumpkin/Halloween M&Ms, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Scoop and Shape Cookies: Using a cookie scoop, portion out the dough into even balls, then roll each scoop gently between your hands to form consistent cookie shapes.
- Bake: Place the cookie dough balls spaced evenly on the lined baking trays. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 13 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers remain soft.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the trays for five minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy warm or at room temperature!
Notes
- Pumpkin spice adds a festive autumn flavor that pairs wonderfully with white chocolate and colorful candy additions.
- For even baking, make sure all cookie dough balls are uniform in size.
- You can substitute the halloween-themed M&Ms with any colorful candy or nuts of your choice.
- If you prefer a spicier flavor, increase the amount of pumpkin spice mix to 2 teaspoons.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness for up to 5 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 242 kcal
- Sugar: 19 g
- Sodium: 130 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 29 mg