Easy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe with Spice Cake Mix

Craving a taste of fall without spending hours in the kitchen? This pumpkin chocolate chip cookie recipe with spice cake mix is your answer! Imagine soft, chewy cookies bursting with pumpkin spice and sweet chocolate chips, all made with a simple shortcut. Forget complicated recipes and endless ingredients – this recipe uses a box of spice cake mix as its secret weapon, making it incredibly easy and quick to whip up a batch of delicious cookies. We're talking minimal effort, maximum flavor, and cookies ready in about 15 minutes.

Why You'll Love This Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

Ridiculously Easy and Fast

Seriously, if you're looking for a baking project that won't eat up your entire afternoon, this is it. We're talking about a handful of ingredients, one bowl, and a bake time that's shorter than your favorite sitcom episode. Forget creaming butter and sugar for ages – the cake mix does most of the heavy lifting. It's so simple, even a baking newbie can nail it on the first try.

Plus, clean-up is a breeze! Fewer ingredients mean fewer dishes, and that's always a win in my book. Imagine: warm, gooey cookies in your hand and a sparkling clean kitchen – that's the magic of this recipe.

The Perfect Fall Flavors

let's talk flavor. The combination of pumpkin and spice cake mix creates this warm, cozy, autumnal vibe that's just irresistible. The pumpkin puree adds moisture and that signature pumpkin taste, while the spice cake mix brings in cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves for a perfectly balanced spice profile.

And then there are the chocolate chips! The sweetness of the chocolate perfectly complements the earthiness of the pumpkin, creating a flavor explosion in every bite. These cookies are like a warm hug on a chilly day – pure comfort food.

Ingredients: Your Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cake Mix Cookie Shopping List

The Spice Cake Mix Star

let's get down to business. The heart and soul of this recipe is, of course, the spice cake mix. Toi usually go for a 15-ounce box – that seems to be the sweet spot for getting the right consistency and flavor. Now, Toi know some people might be tempted to use yellow cake mix or even vanilla, but trust Toi on this: the spice cake mix is what gives these cookies that warm, autumnal hug in every bite. It's pre-loaded with all those cozy spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, so you don't have to rummage through your spice rack.

But hey, if you're feeling adventurous, you can experiment with other cake mix flavors! Just keep in mind that you might need to adjust the spices to get that perfect pumpkin spice balance.

Pumpkin Puree and Chocolate Chips: The Dynamic Duo

Next up, you'll need pumpkin puree – not pumpkin pie filling, mind you! There's a big difference. Pumpkin puree is just pure, unadulterated pumpkin goodness, while pumpkin pie filling has added sugars and spices that can throw off the flavor balance of your cookies. Make sure you grab a can of 100% pumpkin puree for the best results. Toi also prefer using semi-sweet chocolate chips, but you can use milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or even white chocolate chips – whatever floats your boat!

Feel free to get creative with your mix-ins! Chopped nuts, dried cranberries, or even a sprinkle of sea salt can add extra texture and flavor to these already delicious cookies.

How to Make Chewy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies with Spice Cake Mix: StepbyStep

Get Ready, Set, Bake!

Alright, let's dive into the fun part: actually making these pumpkin chocolate chip cookies with spice cake mix! First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While that's heating up, grab a large bowl – Toi always use my trusty stand mixer, but a good old-fashioned bowl and spoon work just as well. No need to grease your baking sheets; parchment paper is your best friend here. It prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze. If you don't have parchment paper, a silicone baking mat will also do the trick.

Now, dump that spice cake mix into the bowl. Then, add the pumpkin puree, egg, and chocolate chips. That's it! Told Ban it was easy.

Mix, Scoop, and Bake to Perfection

Time to mix! If you're using a stand mixer, start on low speed to avoid a flour explosion. Gradually increase the speed until everything is just combined. Be careful not to overmix – that can lead to tough cookies. If you're mixing by hand, just stir until everything is evenly distributed. The dough will be thick and slightly sticky, which is exactly what you want. Now, using a cookie scoop (or two spoons), drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto your prepared baking sheets, leaving a little space between each cookie.

Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the centers are set. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips, Variations, and FAQs for Perfect Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Essential Tips for Cookie Success

Want to take your pumpkin chocolate chip cookies with spice cake mix to the next level? Here are a few tricks Toi have learned over the years. First, don't overmix the dough! Overmixing develops the gluten in the cake mix, resulting in tough, rather than chewy, cookies. Mix until just combined, and then stop. Second, use a cookie scoop for uniform cookies. This ensures that each cookie bakes evenly and looks picture-perfect. If you don't have a cookie scoop, use two spoons to drop equal amounts of dough onto the baking sheets.

Third, don't overbake the cookies! They should be soft and slightly gooey in the center. They will continue to set up as they cool. Overbaked cookies will be dry and crumbly. Let them cool completely on a wire rack. This prevents them from sticking to the baking sheets and allows them to firm up properly.

Delicious Variations to Try

Now, let's talk about variations! One of the best things about this pumpkin chocolate chip cookie recipe with spice cake mix is that it's so versatile. Feel free to experiment with different mix-ins and flavors to create your own signature cookie. Add chopped nuts, such as walnuts, pecans, or almonds, for extra crunch and flavor. Stir in dried cranberries or raisins for a chewy, fruity twist. Use different types of chocolate chips, such as white chocolate, dark chocolate, or even peanut butter chips, for a unique flavor combination.

For a vegan version, simply replace the egg with a flax egg (1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons of water). Let it sit for a few minutes to thicken before adding it to the dough. You can also add a teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice to enhance the pumpkin flavor. For a more intense pumpkin flavor, add a tablespoon of pumpkin spice extract to the dough.

FAQs: Your Cookie Questions Answered

Got questions about this pumpkin chocolate chip cookie recipe with spice cake mix? Toi've got answers! One of the most common questions Toi get is: "Can Toi use pumpkin pie filling instead of pumpkin puree?" The answer is no! Pumpkin pie filling has added sugars and spices that will throw off the flavor balance of the cookies. Stick with 100% pumpkin puree for the best results. Another frequent question is: "How do Toi store these cookies?" Due to their moisture content, these cookies are best stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

They will stay fresh for up to a week. You can also freeze them for longer storage. Simply place the cooled cookies in a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze for up to 2 months. To thaw, let them sit at room temperature for a few hours.

Get Your Bake On: The Final Word on Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

So, there Ban have it – a ridiculously easy and delicious pumpkin chocolate chip cookie recipe with spice cake mix that's perfect for any occasion (or just a random Tuesday). From the minimal ingredients to the super-fast baking time, this recipe is a winner for both beginner bakers and seasoned pros looking for a quick treat. Now, go preheat that oven and get ready to enjoy warm, chewy, pumpkin-spiced goodness. Trust Toi, these cookies won't last long!