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!
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!
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.
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:
- Cocoa Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies
- Cookie Butter Cookies
- Spiced Peanut Butter Cookies
- Tahini Cutout Sugar Cookies
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.
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
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
Tope says
These were soooo good! I'm typically not a fan of pumpkin but the flavor went along perfectly in these cookies. I can't wait to make more!
Whitney says
Do you have the nutritional facts? I love PUMPKIN!
Jazz says
Hi, Whitney! I've updated the recipe card with the nutrition information.
Krysten says
Kitchen Sink Cookies are my favorite, but we've never had a pumpkin version until now! So delicious! Especially love the use of the dark chocolate pieces. We used real pumpkin puree instead of store bought, not sure if it makes a difference but it turned out great!
Samiah Nicole says
These cookies were such a unique concept for me and I’m glad I found this recipe! They have such great texture and the fact that they’re pumpkin makes them a perfect snack option for this fall! So good!
Jessica says
This recipe has the perfect amount of pumpkin flavor. Also love the versatility for mixins and how easy it is to try different combinations! I don't love potato chips in kitchen sink cookies so the pretzels for saltiness are just perfect.
Immaculate Ruému says
This is an ultimate version of kitchen sink cookies. The mix of sweet and saltiness is perfect. I loved making it and enjoyed every chewy delicious bite!
Robin says
This has become my new go to cookie for Fall. Simply irresistible!
Lauren says
I love this recipe! Such a unique idea. I was recently gifted some late harvest pumpkins by a neighbour and will be roasting/pureeing them soon. I'm excited to give these cookies a go!
Barry J. says
I made these this weekend and I'm so glad I did. They were really easy to make (literally fail proof) and I have enough to snack on throughout the week.
Britney says
These are some of the best cookies I’ve ever made! They were so simple to make and super delicious, loving the addition of the pumpkin too! So yum!
Marta says
The name needs to be changed because NOTHING this good has ever come out of my kitchen sink. Between the sweetness of the pumpkin and the saltiness of the pretzels it was the perfect bitesssss.
Chenée Lewis says
These cookies were just the chunky fall goodness I needed this weekend! I used pecans instead of walnuts because I always have pecans lying around, and they were amazing! Salty, sweet, and crunchy!
Taneisha Morris says
These were absolutely perfect! It was a great balance of sweet and salt....crunchy and chewy, just as the recipe states! Will definitely make again!
Mila says
They were so good! I was looking for a good pumpkin cookie recipe that I could sink my teeth into. These are perfect for the cozy weather!
Tamara says
These cookies were super simple, and absolutely delicious! The pretzel was our favorite part!
Christy Hoover says
I added chopped pecans to this recipe. It was a great addition! Another recipe to add to the fall lineup.