Name: Pumpkin Kitchen Sink Cookies
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 18 min
Total time: 23 min
Ingredients: 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened); 1 cup brown sugar (packed); 1 egg; 3/4 cup pumpkin puree; 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 1/2 cup flour; 2 1/2 teaspoon baking powder; 3/4 teaspoon sea salt; 1 cup caramel bits; 3/4 cup dark chocolate bits, chips, or pieces; 3/4 cup pretzel pieces; 1/2 cup chopped walnuts; extra pretzels (optional decoration)

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Learn how to make classic everything but the kitchen sink cookies even better with a seasonal twist of pumpkin! Originally published September 2020. Last updated October 2022.

It's time for fall pumpkin cookie recipes. My pumpkin kitchen sink cookies are soft and chewy with pops of crunch and creaminess. Buttery caramel, bitter dark chocolate, salty pretzels, and crunchy walnuts play perfectly with a pumpkin cookie dough base. Since I know I have your attention now, let's get into the details!

holding pumpkin kitchen sink pretzel cookie over plate.

If you're looking for more fall baking ideas with pumpkin, check these recipes out next!

What are Kitchen Sink Cookies?

Kitchen sink cookies are called such because they contain eclectic mix-ins that you might not otherwise combine. Sweet meets salty. Crunchy meets chewy. They have layers of flavor, unique texture, and are also sometimes called "everything but the kitchen sink" cookies. Panera's kitchen sink cookies have become extremely popular, but I think mine are even better. These kitchen sink cookies with pumpkin are perfectly seasonal and it's hard to eat just one of them!

caramel bits, pretzel pieces, chocolate pieces, and chopped walnuts in bowl of flour mixture.

What You'll Need for this Recipe

Here's what to add to your grocery list to make the recipe as-is. If you need more inspiration, keep scrolling for other items you might want to incorporate.

Baking Powder
Brown Sugar
Butter
Caramel Bits
Dark Chocolate
Egg
Flour
Pretzels
Pumpkin Puree
Sea Salt
Vanilla Extract
Walnuts

As far as tools, grab a large mixing bowl and a cookie sheet, as well as parchment paper to keep pumpkin cookies from sticking to the pan. You won't need a cookie scoop because these treats are too chunky but I do recommend an airtight container for storage.

What do these Cookies Taste Like?

I chose some of my favorite mix-ins for these pumpkin kitchen sink cookies: buttery caramel bits for richness, walnuts for crunch, pretzels for saltiness, and dark chocolate pieces to balance out all the sweetness. I just cut up an 85% cacao bar for that. The pumpkin puree provides a mellow and slightly earthy base as well as orange color.

pumpkin kitchen sink cookie perched on glass of milk.

While I can be content with a good old fashioned oatmeal raisin cookie or a bakery style frosted sugar cookie, I also love unique cookie ideas. Here are a few more, in case you need inspiration for holiday cookie swap recipes:

More Kitchen Sink Cookie Mix-In Ideas

Butterscotch
Candy (like M&Ms, mini peanut butter cups, etc.)
Chocolate Chips (Dark, Milk or White)
Coconut Flakes
Nuts or Seeds
Oatmeal
Peanut Butter
Potato Chips
Toffee

Potato chips in kitchen sink cookies are very common but I didn't like them for this particular recipe. Feel free to get creative and customize this pumpkin cookie recipe to your taste. In total, you'll want to incorporate 3 cups of mix-ins no matter which ones you choose.

holding kitchen sink cookie with pumpkin and pretzels.

I started off thinking about chocolate caramel cookies or maybe pretzel cookies with pumpkin and essentially merged the two cookie ideas for this recipe and am so pleased with the result. I think you will love them, too. And sharing is caring so be sure to pin this pumpkin kitchen sink cookies recipe on Pinterest. Thanks for reading!

Pumpkin Pretzel Drop Cookies Recipe

Pumpkin Kitchen Sink Cookies

Jazzmine from Dash of Jazz

Classic sweet, salty, crunchy kitchen sink cookies with a seasonal twist of pumpkin

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Prep Time 5 mins

Cook Time 18 mins

Total Time 23 mins

Course Dessert, Snack

Cuisine American

Servings cookies

Calories 278 kcal

Ingredients

½ cup unsalted butter softened
1 cup brown sugar packed
1 egg
¾ cup pumpkin puree
1 ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
2 ½ cup flour
2 ½ teaspoon baking powder
¾ teaspoon sea salt
1 cup caramel bits
¾ cup dark chocolate bits, chips, or pieces
¾ cup pretzel pieces
½ cup chopped walnuts
extra pretzels optional decoration

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degree and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
Beat butter, brown sugar, egg, pumpkin puree, and vanilla extract together.
In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and sea salt then stir in mix-ins (caramel bits, chocolate pieces, pretzels, and walnuts).
Combine wet and dry mixtures by hand and stir until dough forms and no dry pockets remain. Dough will be sticky.
Using a dinner spoon, scoop out dough in rounded drops (about 2-2 ½ inches in diameter) onto lined cookie sheet. Cookies will not spread much but some of the chocolate and caramel will drip so leave about two inches space between each. If desired, press one pretzel into the tops of some or each of the cookies for a decorative touch.
Bake for 18 minutes or until tops cookies are firm with a slight bounce when pressed gently. Bottoms will brown. As ovens vary, I recommend you start checking cookies for doneness around 15 minutes. Makes about 20 cookies.

Nutrition

Calories: 278kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 4gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 21mgSodium: 222mgPotassium: 153mgFiber: 1gSugar: 21gVitamin A: 1590IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 89mgIron: 1mg

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