Start by preheating your oven to 375 degrees F. This temperature is crucial for achieving the perfect texture. A good oven is your best friend in baking, ensuring the cookies rise just right.
Next, line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This prevents the cookies from sticking and makes for easy clean-up. It’s a small step that makes a big difference!
In a large bowl, sift together all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and pumpkin pie spice. Sifting helps to aerate the flour, making your cookies lighter.
In another bowl, whisk together pumpkin puree, vegetable oil, sugar, brown sugar, egg, and vanilla extract. Whisking ensures all the wet ingredients are well combined and helps incorporate air, resulting in a fluffier cookie.
Combine the wet ingredients with the dry ingredients, mixing gently until no more flour is visible. The batter will be thick and sticky; this is a good sign! Make sure not to overmix, as this can lead to tough cookies.
Fold in the chocolate chips gently. This is where the magic happens! Each bite will be bursting with sweet chocolate, balancing the earthy flavor of the pumpkin.
Using a tablespoon, drop about 2 tablespoons of batter onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving at least 2 inches between each mound. This allows the cookies to spread as they bake.
Bake in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes. Keep an eye on them, as baking times can vary. When they're golden around the edges and a toothpick inserted comes out clean, they’re done!
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack. This brief cooling period helps them set up perfectly.
Finally, enjoy your delicious Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies! They’re perfect for sharing or savored one by one as a delightful treat.
