Chocolate Frosted Gluten-Free Pumpkin Cookies

These healthy plant-based Gluten-Free Vegan Chocolate Frosted Pumpkin Spice Cookies are an easy recipe to make with only 6 clean, real food ingredients and they are ready to enjoy in under 20 minutes. The chocolate and pumpkin is a perfect flavor combination for these flourless cookies that are vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, soy-free, grain-free, paleo-friendly, contain no refined sugar, and can be Medical Medium® compliant.

These Gluten-Free Vegan Chocolate Frosted Pumpkin Spice Cookies are the perfect little two-bite-sized treat using my favorite pumpkin and chocolate combination.

Here's Why This Recipe Works

My top 3 favorite reasons:

1. It's The Perfect Way To Use Leftover Pumpkin Puree
2. One-Bowl Recipe That's Ready In Under 20 Minutes
3. A Healthy Plant-Based Gluten-Free + Vegan Dessert

Leftover Pumpkin Puree

I never seem to use an entire can of pumpkin at a time so I always end up with a cup or half a can leftover.

Then I have to think of something else to make with pumpkin.

I think I pretty much have everything covered...pumpkin cheesecake, pumpkin truffles, pumpkin pancakes, pumpkin quinoa, pumpkin cookies, pumpkin ice-cream, pumpkin nut butter cups, pumpkin smoothie, etc.

This time I had just enough left over to make a batch of these cookies.

One-Bowl Recipe That's Ready In Under 20 Minutes

You'll love how this recipe is so quick and easy.

For example, simply mix the ingredients for the cookies in one bowl.

Next, cut them out with a cookie cutter and while they are baking, prepare the chocolate frosting.

A Healthy Plant-Based Gluten-Free Vegan Dessert

These little cookies are made without any flour, grains, or dairy of any kind.

Traditional S.A.D. (Standard American Diet) Frosted Pumpkin Cookies can have a typical ingredient list like this:

S.A.D. (Standard American Diet) Homemade Frosted Pumpkin Cookies - 

• Cookie Ingredients:  4 cups white flour, 2 cups butter, 1 1/2 cups white sugar, 2 eggs
• Frosting Ingredients:  5-6 cups powdered sugar, 1 1/2 cups butter, 3/4 cup cream cheese

My healthy plant-based cookies are vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, soy-free, grain-free, paleo-friendly, contain no refined sugar, and can be Medical Medium® compliant.

How To Make This Recipe: Step-by-Step Instructions

Here is how to make this recipe and I'll show you with step-by-step instructions below.

Before beginning, preheat the oven to 350 degrees and prepare a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.

Then, set it aside while you make the recipe.

Step 1: Gather and Measure The Ingredients

Firstly, gather all the ingredients and measure them out.

Step 2: Mix the Ingredients Together

Secondly, add all the ingredients to a medium-sized mixing bowl and stir until everything is well combined.

Step 3: Roll Out the Dough Mixture

Thirdly, transfer the dough mixture onto a flat surface lined with parchment paper.

Form it into a ball shape.

Next, place a second piece of parchment paper on top of the dough ball and roll it out flat with a rolling pin.

Step 4: Cut Out the Cookies

Fourthly, using a cookie cutter of your choice, cut out cookies from the rolled out dough.

In this recipe, for example, I used a 2-inch round cookie cutter to make (18) small cookies.

Using a fork like a spatula, gently remove the cut out cookies and transfer them onto the prepared cookie sheet.

Step 5: Bake the Cookies

Fifthly, bake the cookies at 350 degrees for approximately 10-12 minutes, taking care to not overbake them.

Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool completely before handling.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Make This Recipe Medical Medium® Compliant?

Yes! Just make these easy adjustments:

1. Vanilla Extract: Substitute pure vanilla extract with alcohol-free vanilla extract or organic vanilla bean powder.
2. Chocolate Topping: Omit the chocolate topping and enjoy them plain with a cup of hot herbal tea for an afternoon treat. I showed an image of the cookies without the chocolate topping as an alternative and they are ~similar~ to a shortbread cookie with a pumpkin spice flavor (yum!)

Karielyn's Expert Tips + Ingredient Substitutions

Here are some of my expert tips to make this recipe perfectly:

Maple Syrup. I haven't tested the recipe with any sweetener, but you can try another unrefined sweetener like organic date nectar or organic coconut nectar.

Coconut Butter. This ingredient will give the cookies a "buttery" taste. I haven't tested it with regular coconut oil or any other type of replacement.

Vanilla Extract. If you need this recipe to be 100% Medical Medium compliant, use alcohol-free vanilla extract.

Pumpkin Pie Spice. This high-quality organic pumpkin pie spice is my go-to for all my pumpkin recipes, but feel free to use whatever you have on hand.

Himalayan Pink Salt. This is my salt of preference but you can always use sea salt.

Chocolate Chips. Omit the chocolate topping to keep the recipe 100% Medical Medium® compliant. 

Cookie Cutter. The smaller the cookie cutter, the better. For example, if you use a cookie cutter that is too large, the cookies will not hold together well. I used a 2-inch round cookie cutter to keep them small and the recipe yielded (18) cookies.

Allow The Cookies To Cool. The cookies will need to completely cool before attempting to remove them from the cookie sheet. For example, they will be crumbly and fall apart if you remove them while they are still hot. The coconut butter needs time to cool off to under 75 degrees so it can solidify and hold the cookies together.

Want More Healthy Gluten-Free Vegan Cookie Recipes?

Check out these:

• Flourless Caramel Thumbprint Cookies
• Fudgy Chocolate Avocado Cookies
• Vegan Snickerdoodle Cookies
• or my After The Cleanses™ Medical Medium® Compliant Meal Plan Program with 42 plant-based vegan + gluten-free recipes made with clean, real food ingredients just like this one that you will love!

Did You Make This Recipe?

I'd love to hear about it! Please give it a rating and leave a comment below...it would make my day! 🙂