
Pineapple Pumpkin Cookies are a wonderful example of mid-century American home baking, when cooks weren’t afraid to blend pantry staples with canned fruit and vegetables for moist, flavorful treats. Pumpkin brings softness and gentle earthiness, while crushed pineapple adds unexpected brightness and natural sweetness. Oatmeal and pecans give these cookies body and texture, making them more substantial than typical drop cookies. Often baked in fall and winter, these cookies were popular at church suppers and holiday trays because they stayed tender for days and traveled well. Finished with a simple icing, they strike a balance between cake-like comfort and cookie charm.
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter (softened)
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ½ cup white sugar
- 1 egg (large )
- 1 cup pumpkin (cooked )
- ½ cup crushed pineapple (well drained)
- 1 cup oatmeal
- 1 cup pecans (chopped)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup milk
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp baking soda
Instructions
Step 1: Cream the base
- In a large bowl, cream butter with brown sugar and white sugar until light and fluffy.
Step 2: Add wet ingredients
- Beat in egg.
- Mix in pumpkin and crushed pineapple until well combined.
Step 3: Build texture
- Stir in oatmeal and chopped pecans.
Step 4: Combine dry ingredients
- In a separate bowl, mix flour, cinnamon, baking powder, salt, and baking soda.
Step 5: Finish the dough
- Add dry ingredients to wet mixture, alternating with milk.
- Mix just until combined.
Step 6: Bake
- Drop spoonfuls onto a greased baking sheet.
- Bake at 350°F for 10–12 minutes.
Step 7: Cool and ice
- Let cookies cool completely.
- Ice if desired.
Tips
- Use fresh roasted pumpkin for deeper flavor
- Swap pecans for walnuts
- Add raisins for extra sweetness
- Ice with cream cheese frosting for a richer cookie
- Add nutmeg or cloves for more spice
- Make them smaller for cookie trays
- Chill dough for thicker cookies
- Drizzle icing instead of spreading
- Store airtight for up to 4 days
Nutrition
Calories: 165kcalCarbohydrates: 22gProtein: 3gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 2.5gCholesterol: 18mgSodium: 95mgPotassium: 120mgFiber: 2gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 2100IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 35mgIron: 1mg
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