Pumpkin Streusel Pudding Cookies

I guess I have a confession to make.  I have never tried pudding cookies.  Does that make me weird?  I hadn't really even heard of them until I started following Nikki at Chef-In-Training like a year ago.  I know I have pinned several of her versions, but this one really stood out to me & I wanted to try it immediately.  I actually almost didn't post this recipe because I was slightly disappointed.  The pictures were so beautiful & very enticing, but the flavors didn't scream spiced pumpkin cookies like I had hoped.  Maybe put in some pumpkin pie spice to help boost the flavor.  Nevertheless the cookies were still soft, chewy & sweet.  They kind of taste like what I would imagine a pumpkin snickerdoodle would taste like & the pudding does make the cookie very soft & moist.  I will most likely be making pudding cookies again in the future.  As for these cookies...they are a fun twist for a fall treat that are quick to whip up.
 

Pumpkin Streusel Pudding Cookies

Recipe slightly altered from Chef-In-Training by: Amber (Dessert Now, Dinner Later!)

Cookie:

• 3/4 cup butter, softened
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 (3.4oz) box pumpkin spice instant pudding mix (dry, do not prepare)
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 2 1/4 cups flour
• *Optional: 1/2 tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice (in my opinion, this cookie needs the extra spices)

Streusel:

• 2 Tbsp butter, cold
• 2 Tbsp sugar
• 2 Tbsp brown sugar
• 2 Tbsp flour
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon

1. Make streusel topping by combining sugars, flour & cinnamon.  Cut butter into dry ingredients until small crumbs form.  Set aside.
2. To make the cookies: cream butter, brown sugar, & sugar together in a stand mixer.  Add dry pumpkin spice instant pudding mix & beat until well combined.  
3. Add eggs & vanilla & mix well.  Scrape bowl. 
4. Add flour, baking soda, & pumpkin pie spice & beat until well combined.
5. Roll dough into 1" balls.  Gently press some of the streusel topping onto the tops of the rolled dough balls.  Place them on a greased/parchment lined baking sheet & bake at 350*F for 8-10 minutes.

*Makes 3 1/2 dozen cookies.

I guess I have a confession to make.  I have never tried pudding cookies.  Does that make me weird?  I hadn't really even heard of them until I started following Nikki at Chef-In-Training like a year ago.  I know I have pinned several of her versions, but this one really stood out to me & I wanted to try it immediately.  I actually almost didn't post this recipe because I was slightly disappointed.  The pictures were so beautiful & very enticing, but the flavors didn't scream spiced pumpkin cookies like I had hoped.  Maybe put in some pumpkin pie spice to help boost the flavor.  Nevertheless the cookies were still soft, chewy & sweet.  They kind of taste like what I would imagine a pumpkin snickerdoodle would taste like & the pudding does make the cookie very soft & moist.  I will most likely be making pudding cookies again in the future.  As for these cookies...they are a fun twist for a fall treat that are quick to whip up.
 

Pumpkin Streusel Pudding Cookies

Recipe slightly altered from Chef-In-Training by: Amber (Dessert Now, Dinner Later!)

Cookie:

• 3/4 cup butter, softened
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 (3.4oz) box pumpkin spice instant pudding mix (dry, do not prepare)
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 2 1/4 cups flour
• *Optional: 1/2 tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice (in my opinion, this cookie needs the extra spices)

Streusel:

• 2 Tbsp butter, cold
• 2 Tbsp sugar
• 2 Tbsp brown sugar
• 2 Tbsp flour
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon

1. Make streusel topping by combining sugars, flour & cinnamon.  Cut butter into dry ingredients until small crumbs form.  Set aside.
2. To make the cookies: cream butter, brown sugar, & sugar together in a stand mixer.  Add dry pumpkin spice instant pudding mix & beat until well combined.  
3. Add eggs & vanilla & mix well.  Scrape bowl. 
4. Add flour, baking soda, & pumpkin pie spice & beat until well combined.
5. Roll dough into 1" balls.  Gently press some of the streusel topping onto the tops of the rolled dough balls.  Place them on a greased/parchment lined baking sheet & bake at 350*F for 8-10 minutes.

*Makes 3 1/2 dozen cookies.