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Cranberry Pumpkin Cookies Recipe (Egg-Free, Fall-Inspired Treats)

Cranberry Pumpkin Cookies Recipe (Egg-Free, Fall-Inspired Treats)

Pumpkin spice and everything nice…with a cranberry twist!

These cranberry pumpkin cookies are basically fall in your mouth—soft, spiced, and egg-free magic.

When autumn rolls in, the leaves aren’t the only things turning golden. Your kitchen deserves a cozy upgrade too, and these cookies deliver just that. Think of them as the ultimate egg-free fall cookie recipe: perfectly spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger, studded with tart cranberries, and soft enough to melt in your mouth. Whether you drizzle them with icing or enjoy them plain, these cookies are proof that pumpkin season isn’t just about pie. Bonus? You can press the dough into festive shapes—because who said cookies can’t be adorable too?

Pair them with a steaming mug of pumpkin spice latte or bake them alongside pumpkin chocolate chip muffins for a complete autumn spread.

Cranberry Pumpkin Cookies drizzled with glaze and topped with chopped craisins on a festive holiday background, perfect for Christmas and fall baking.
Cranberry Pumpkin Cookies – Sweet & Festive Holiday Treats

Why You’ll Love This Cranberry Pumpkin Cookies Recipe

  • Egg-free cookies: Soft, moist, and perfect for those avoiding eggs.
  • Perfectly spiced pumpkin cookies: Cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger bring cozy autumn warmth.
  • Flexible & fun: Add nuts, swap cranberries for chocolate chips, or press into festive shapes.
  • Family-friendly baking: Kids love scooping, decorating, and taste-testing these fall cookies.

Ingredients for Cranberry Pumpkin Cookies

Cookie Dough Ingredients

  • 3 cups brown sugar
  • 3 cups pureed pumpkin
  • 1.5 cups oil
  • 3 tsp vanilla extract
  • 6 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3 tsp baking soda
  • 3 tsp baking powder
  • 1 ½ tsp salt
  • 1 ½ tsp cinnamon
  • 1 ½ tsp nutmeg
  • ¾ tsp ground ginger
  • 3 cups cranberries (Craisins work perfectly)
  • 1 ½ cups nuts (optional)

Icing Ingredients

  • 2 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 ½ cups confectioner’s sugar
  • ½ tsp finely grated lemon zest
  • 1 Tbsp finely chopped dried sweetened cranberries
  • 1 Tbsp finely chopped toasted walnuts or pecans
Cranberry pumpkin cookies on a baking tray, perfect for fall holiday baking.

How to Make Cranberry Pumpkin Cookies (Step-by-Step)

Prep the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine pumpkin, brown sugar, oil, and vanilla until smooth. Add flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. Fold in cranberries and optional nuts until evenly distributed.

Shape Cookies: Drop spoonfuls of dough onto an ungreased cookie sheet. For festive shapes, gently press dough into cookie cutters, then remove the cutter.

Bake to Perfection: Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for 12–15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Immediately transfer cookies to paper towels to cool.

Prepare the Icing: In a small bowl, whisk cream cheese until smooth. Gradually mix in confectioner’s sugar and lemon zest. Thin with lemon juice, ½ tsp at a time, until desired consistency is reached.

Decorate: Spread or pipe icing onto cooled cookies, then sprinkle with cranberries and nuts.

Expert Tips for Perfect Pumpkin Cranberry Cookies

  • Use Craisins or fresh cranberries depending on your texture preference.
  • Room temperature pumpkin helps the dough mix evenly.
  • Cookies will soften slightly as they cool; avoid overbaking for maximum moistness.
  • Freeze cookie dough for later—bake straight from the freezer with an extra 2–3 minutes added.

Variations and Creative Ideas

  • Swap half the cranberries for chocolate chips for a sweet-tart twist.
  • Try a maple glaze instead of cream cheese icing for extra fall flavor.
  • Add orange zest to the batter for a citrusy pop.
  • Use the same dough for bite-sized treats in a muffin tin.
Close-up of cranberry pumpkin cookies drizzled with cream cheese glaze and topped with chopped craisins, styled in warm pumpkin and cranberry tones. Perfect egg-free fall cookie recipe for holiday baking.
Cranberry Pumpkin Cookies (Egg-Free Fall Treats with Glaze & Craisins)

Serving Suggestions for Cranberry Pumpkin Cookies

  • Pair with tea, cider, or coffee for a cozy snack.
  • Serve as a festive plate for holiday parties or brunches.
  • Stack cookies with icing layers for a fun dessert tower.

FAQs About Egg-Free Cranberry Pumpkin Cookies

Q: Can I make these cookies gluten-free? A: Substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free blend. Baking time may vary slightly.

Q: How long will cookies stay fresh? A: Stored in an airtight container, cookies last up to 5 days at room temperature.

Q: Can I freeze them? A: Yes! Freeze either baked cookies or raw dough for up to 3 months.

Q: Can I skip the icing? A: Absolutely! The cookies are delicious on their own, or lightly dust with powdered sugar.

More Fall Recipes

Final Thoughts: The Ultimate Fall Cookie Recipe

Cranberry pumpkin cookies are the ultimate fall treat: sweet, spiced, and perfect for sharing. Whether you’re gifting them, stacking them on a dessert table, or sneaking one with your morning coffee, these cookies are a cozy, egg-free delight you’ll want to bake again and again.

Cranberry Pumpkin Cookies drizzled with glaze and topped with chopped craisins on a festive holiday background, perfect for Christmas and fall baking.
Yield: 36 cranberry pumpkin cookies

Cranberry Pumpkin Cookies Recipe (Egg-Free, Fall-Inspired Treats)

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes

Soft, spiced, and egg-free, these Cranberry Pumpkin Cookies are the perfect fall treat. Drizzled with cream cheese glaze and topped with tart cranberries, they’re ideal for holiday baking, cozy afternoons, or pairing with a steaming pumpkin spice latte. Try baking them alongside our Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins or sipping them with a homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte for a complete autumn spread.

Ingredients

Cookie Dough Ingredients:

  • 3 cups brown sugar
  • 3 cups pureed pumpkin
  • 1.5 cups oil
  • 3 tsp vanilla extract
  • 6 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3 tsp baking soda
  • 3 tsp baking powder
  • 1 ½ tsp salt
  • 1 ½ tsp cinnamon
  • 1 ½ tsp nutmeg
  • ¾ tsp ground ginger
  • 3 cups cranberries (Craisins work perfectly)
  • 1 ½ cups nuts (optional)

Icing Ingredients:

  • 2 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 ½ cups confectioner’s sugar
  • ½ tsp finely grated lemon zest
  • 1 Tbsp finely chopped dried sweetened cranberries
  • 1 Tbsp finely chopped toasted walnuts or pecans

Instructions

  1. Prep the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine pumpkin, brown sugar, oil, and vanilla until smooth. Add flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. Fold in cranberries and optional nuts until evenly distributed.
  2. Shape Cookies: Drop spoonfuls of dough onto an ungreased cookie sheet. For festive shapes, gently press dough into cookie cutters, then remove the cutter.
  3. Bake: Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 12–15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Transfer cookies to paper towels to cool.
  4. Prepare the Icing: Whisk cream cheese until smooth. Gradually mix in confectioner’s sugar and lemon zest. Thin with lemon juice, ½ tsp at a time, until desired consistency is reached.
  5. Decorate: Spread or pipe icing onto cooled cookies, then sprinkle with cranberries and nuts.

Notes

Recipe Notes / Tips:

  • Use Craisins or fresh cranberries depending on texture preference.
  • Room-temperature pumpkin ensures even dough mixing.
  • Avoid overbaking; cookies soften slightly as they cool.
  • Freeze cookie dough for later—bake from frozen, adding 2–3 minutes.
  • Try swapping half the cranberries for chocolate chips or adding orange zest for variation.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

36

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 349Total Fat: 12gSaturated Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 2mgSodium: 211mgCarbohydrates: 57gFiber: 2gSugar: 23gProtein: 5g

The Nutritional Information may not be accurate. This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.

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Originally published on January 17, 2011; updated on November 13, 2025 to update ingredients and instructions, add step-by-step directions with schema markup, enhance accessibility with image captions and alt text, include internal recipe links, and provide expert tips, variations, serving suggestions, and FAQs for a better user experience.

About Julee Morrison

Julee Morrison is an author and writer with over 35 years of experience in parenting and family recipes. She’s the author of four cookbooks: The Instant Pot College Cookbook, The How-To Cookbook for Teens, The Complete Cookbook for Teens, and The Complete College Cookbook.Available on Amazon,

Her work has appeared in The LA Times, Disney’s Family Fun Magazine, Bon Appétit, Weight Watchers Magazine, All You, Scholastic Parent & Child, and more.

Her article "My Toddler Stood on Elvis' Grave and Scaled Over Boulders to Get to a Dinosaur" appeared on AP News, and her parenting piece “The Sly Way I Cured My Child's Lying Habit” was featured on PopSugar.

Outside of writing, Julee enjoys baking, reading, collecting crystals, and spending time with her family. You can find more of her work at Mommy’s Memorandum.

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