You need a batch of Pumpkin Pie Thumbprint Cookies in your life. These lightly sweet shortbread cookies filled with spiced pumpkin were inspired by Pop Tarts. Pull up a chair, and I’ll tell you why.
I know I’ve told you a whole bunch of times that my kids (and now my cat!) wake up early. Really early. Lately it has been taking its toll on me. I can get by on 5 or 6 hours of sleep for a day or two, but when it’s interrupted sleep and goes on for several days, I turn into a mess. I feel grumpy, teary, and sleepy all at the same time and am desperate for a nap all day. The trouble is, I have too much to do to nap, so I keep pushing on through the sleep deprivation as best I can. 
By Friday of last week, I knew I needed to catch up on sleep a bit. Sleeping in on Saturday sounded dreamy, and by sleeping in, I mean staying in bed past 7 am. My boys are 7 and 3, so I decided they could fend for themselves one morning. I wanted to make it as easy as possible for them to be self sufficient for a couple hours, so I bought a rare treat: Pop Tarts. These weren’t just any old Pop Tarts mind you but Limited Edition Pumpkin Pie Pop Tarts! 
On Friday night, I coached my oldest about getting his little brother to the bathroom, feeding the cat, distributing Pop Tarts, and watching cartoons the next morning. I asked them to let me sleep until the decadent hour of 7:30am. It worked! Mostly. There were some unfortunate cat interruptions, but the kids didn’t come get me until 7:05, surely a record at our house. Once I got up, I looked at that box of pumpkin Pop Tarts enviously. I wanted one of those “breakfast pastries” (that aren’t at all like cookies) so badly I could taste it, except I couldn’t actually taste it, which was the sad part. Since they are made with wheat and wheat and I broke up a few months ago, all I could do was stare at that colorful box while eating some gluten-free cereal. 
Then I got the idea that I could make my own pumpkin Pop Tarts! Then I felt a little baffled about how to easily make them wheat free, and my friend Paula from Call Me PMc already did Homemade Pumpkin Pop Tarts last fall. After some day dreaming about pumpkin, I came up with this thumbprint cookie idea. I made mine with spelt flour, which is my baking BFF, but you could use regular flour if you can eat wheat like a normal person. I hope you enjoy these pumpkin cookies as much as we did. I dare say they are even better than Pop Tarts!
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Here’s even more pumpkin goodness for you:
| Prep Time | 15 minutes |
| Cook Time | 15 minutes |
| Servings |
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- 1 c. canned pumpkin not pumpkin pie filling
- 1/4 c. sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp. ground ginger
- dash of ground cloves
Ingredients
Pumpkin Filling
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- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
- With an electric mixer or vigorously by hand, cream together the butter, cream cheese, and 1/3 c. sugar until fluffy. Blend in egg and vanilla until smooth. Stir in flour and baking powder until dough forms.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together all pumpkin filling ingredients until well combined.
- Using a medium disher or heaping tablespoon, place balls of dough about 2" apart on prepared baking sheets. Press the back of a round teaspoon measuring spoon into each ball to flatten the cookie a bit and leave an indentation. (You can spray the measuring spoon with cooking spray a couple times during this process if the spoon sticks to the dough.)
- Fill the indentations with pumpkin filling. (You will probably have some filling leftover, which you could stir into pancake or waffle batter within a day or so if you like.)
- Bake cookies in preheated oven for 15-18 minutes, until bottoms are a little brown and filling has set. The pumpkin will remain soft, but a toothpick inserted in the filling will come out mostly clean.
- Cool on a wire rack before enjoying.
I prep the second sheet of cookies while the first one bakes, but if you choose to bake both baking sheets at once, rotate them halfway through to ensure even baking.
Pauline says
Terrific recipes, easy & delicious! THANKS
Andi says
Thanks so much, Pauline!
Michael W Perkins says
I really dont celebrate mine.
Andi says
That’s too bad, Michael. I hope you at least enjoy a good dinner, but I like to do that every day of the year :)
Michael W Perkins says
Born Day after Christmas, so I am usually ready for a break from all the Celebrating… Im OK with it LOL…
★★★★★
Andi says
I hope you at least eat some cake :) Thanks, Michael!
Katie Rose says
My birthday, my father’s birthday, and my mother in laws birthday are all within 5 days of each other…and always land right at father’s day weekend. We started hosted a big Father’s Day Birthday Bash for both sides of my family at our house every year. It’s a lot of work since it is always at least 25 people (and that’s just when it’s all direct family) but this way everyone gets celebrated with no hurt feelings.
Andi says
That’s fun to have one big bash, and in the end it’s probably less work than having get togethers for three birthdays and Father’s Day!
stacy says
For my birthday I usually go out to dinner once with just my husband and I usually go out once with my Mom and other family members. My birthday is ten days after Christmas, so I don’t really do a lot of celebrating. We also try to go away for a long weekend around my birthday, somewhere within driving distance (like St Augustine, FL or Sarasota, FL).
★★★★
Andi says
It’s tough having a birthday so close to Christmas, but two birthday dinners and a weekend away all sound so nice! Glad you get a little spoiled too :)
Ronald G says
Going out with my mom to our special birthday restaurant
★★★★
Andi says
Sounds nice, Ronald!
Patricia @ Grab a Plate says
Oh! I love thumbprint cookies and REALLY love the pumpkin pie idea! Sounds delish!
Andi says
Thanks so much, Patricia! Glad to connect with you today :)
LuckyAlaskan says
Birthdays tend to be hit or miss…depending on finances. Lots of warm fuzzies, but not much else to count on.
Andi says
At least you can count on that! Feeling loved is a gift for sure.
raymond crisostomo says
most of the time i have few bottles with friends :)
Andi says
Sounds like a good party, Raymond :)
Tamara Burks says
Junk food and a dvd binge watch.
Andi says
That could be any Friday night for me ;) Thanks for stopping by, Tamara!
Tamara Burks says
I love anything made with pumpkin.
JenniferAnne says
I usually celebratre by going out to dinner with my husband
Andi says
Sounds like a lovely way to celebrate to me :)
Sherry-Lynne K says
I usually pick a restaurant to go to when I celebrate my birthday – whether it be brunch, lunch, or dinner. I also usually pick some kind of activity that I want to do for the day (hiking, shopping, movie, etc).
Andi says
I love a full-day celebration, Sherry-Lynne. Sounds like you’ve got it just right!
laurie damrose says
I put in for my day off at work and celebrate by going shopping.
★★★★★
Andi says
I celebrated like that last year, and it was so nice! Thanks for stopping by, Laurie :)
Linda Poplees says
My family takes me out to my favorite restaurant for my birthday celebration.
Andi says
I love a good birthday dinner too, Linda :)
Rose Reeder says
Family comes over and we eat and have birthday cake together.
Andi says
Dinner and cake is as good as it gets, Rose :)
Carol Nine says
We don’t celebrate much for my birthday because it is too close to Christmas, but my husband does buy me presents and sometimes we go out for supper to celebrate it.
Andi says
That is tough to have a December birthday! A gift and dinner sounds great though :)
Michele Cupp says
I celebrate my birthday with my family over a meal at a favorite restaurant. We change the location for each birthday typically.
Andi says
That sounds great, Michele! I am bad about going to the same places over and over, but changing it up sounds better :)
Anne C says
Generally, I don’t really do anything for my birthday. My parents and kids call me, and I might fix myself a nice dinner, but that’s about it.
Andi says
Hi, Anne. You should treat yourself to a nice cake or other dessert too! Thanks for stopping by, and good luck in the giveaway :)
Sarah says
I buy a cake from a local cake shop, celebrate and have dinner with my family at home.
★★★★
Andi says
Sounds good to me, Sarah! Thanks for entering, and good luck!
MARY T says
I celebrate my birthday by going to a nice restaurant and having a nice dinner
Andi says
That sounds like a perfect evening, Mary.
Angela Harrison says
We have cake and ice cream with family.
Andi says
It’s not a birthday without cake if you ask me, Angela :) Good luck in the giveaway!
Kathy Knutson says
Yes, will make those cookies!
★★★★★
Andi says
Hi, Kathy. I think you’ll love the cookies. Thank you!
Walter Van Tine says
Nice!
Andi says
Thanks, Walter!
Joe Fanning says
this year at 63 I stayed home alone and broke and very tired
Andi says
I’m sorry to hear that, Joe :( I hope #64 is much happier! Good luck in the giveaway.
paige chandler says
Chicken dinner with friends–every year!
★★★★★
Andi says
I love birthday traditions like that, Paige. We celebrate almost every birthday with a shrimp boil, and we’re always looking forward to the next one!
RICHARD SKUSE says
I DONT
Timothy S Chalfant says
I ate a whole birthday cake myself!!!
Andi says
Ha! That’s my kind of party, Timothy! :)
jberry says
To be honest, haven’t truly celebrated a birthday in years. If the timing is right my other 1/2 & I will consider a live show or high end dining experience anywhere close to one of our b-days the celebration. By the way, great collection of unique pumpkin recipes. They have all just moved to the top of my “must try list”.
★★★★
Andi says
Thanks! I’m happy you found some recipes you’d like to try. I agree that you’ve gotta celebrate when you can! I’ll take a live show or high end dining any time I can get it ;)
Ashley Outland says
For my birthday, we have a family dinner with food of my choosing :) and CAKE!
Andi says
Sounds like a good party to me, Ashley! Good luck in the giveaway :)
Donna says
I thank God for putting me on this earth and I cherish every single moment of “my day”.
Andi says
That is very inspirational, Donna. I’ll have to keep that in mind when I’m having a bad day and remember all the things I should be grateful for!
jose benavides says
I always celebrate by just going shopping and going out to eat.
Andi says
Sounds good to me, Jose!
FRANK says
I celebrate birthdays with cake & ice cream.
Andi says
That makes the birthday, Frank! Good luck in the giveaway :)
kelly nicholson says
How do you celebrate your birthday?
sound to sleep
Andi says
A good night’s sleep sounds like a gift to me, Kelly!
Annalisa K says
I celebrate by taking a long nap, a hot bath and reading a good book.
Andi says
A relaxing birthday sounds wonderful, Annalisa!
greg says
I usually celebrate with a nice dinner out with family and friends.
Andi says
Sounds perfect, Greg! Thanks for entering :)
janet woodling says
I have 2 friends that on each of our birthdays we go out for a girls lunch, good food, good friends and lots of laughs.
Andi says
That sounds so fun, Janet! Are their birthdays around the same time? I have one friend who has the same birthday as me, so we always go out to lunch together.
sandra says
usually carry out or dine in at a restaurant
Andi says
Yes, a night off cooking is definitely in order!
Sharon Kaminski says
We go to a beach side restaurant for my birthday.
Andi says
That sounds so nice, Sharon!
Yvette Figueroa says
I don’t celebrate my birthday anymore. My husband and I may go out to eat, but as I get older I don’t like my birthday anymore!
Andi says
You should use it as an excuse for a nice dinner at least! Thanks for entering the giveaway, Yvette. Good luck!
Jessica says
I celebrate my birthday by eating food I like. :) I live in a large house with lots and lots of little boys, who find my vegetarian and healthy inclinations apocalyptic and somewhat freakish. So, on my birthday, my mother makes me whatever food I want, which usually consists of a waffle or pancake with chia seeds or something else healthy for breakfast, a salad or sammich for lunch with my favorite fruit, and whatever suits my fancy for dinner (it changes every year- last year I had Whole Wheat Rigatoni with greens for dinner- it was delish and super fast) and usually a Key Lime Pie for dessert (I’m kind of boring that way). It’s the thing I’ll probably miss the most as I head off to college.
Andi says
Oh that’s so nice you get meals catered to your tastes all day! You deserve that! My husband prefers key lime pie to birthday cake too. I made a key lime poke cake last year that was a good compromise. Good luck in the giveaway, Jessica!
annieg says
dinner with family, this year’s (50) was amazing! My first Cheesecake Factory experience!
Love your recipes.
Thank you for the giveaway.
Andi says
Thanks, Annie! I just went to Cheeecake Factory recently, and it was the first time in a long while. I love their big menu and BIG slices of cheesecake of course!
Kris says
I spend the day trying to forget it’s my birthday…again!
★★★★★
Andi says
Haha, just think of it as an excuse to eat cake and you’ll be happy about your birthday!
theresa krier says
hi, usually i celebrate with a family dinner, then cake & ice-cream
★★★★★
Andi says
Sounds good to me, Theresa!
Eliza Rosalie says
I am an 81yr old great grandmother and live alone with my 2 cats. All 7 of my children live in other states so birthdays are no fun with all the kids no longer underfoot. However I bake cookies for friends children and it makes me happy to be able to do so.
Andi says
I’m sorry you don’t live near your children, Eliza! I hope you at least enjoy a nice dinner on your birthday. Take care :)
Dezi A says
We always go out with my boys to dinner. And this year I’ll be running in a 10k. :)
Andi says
Oh good for you, Dezi! I keep saying I’m going to work up to running a 5K. It hasn’t happened yet. I don’t think I could even run 1K! ;)
Renee says
My birthday is the day after my grandmas so mine has never really been celebrated. We would always focus on hers and not the last 4 years since she’s been gone and we could focus on mine it’s too much to deal with as we are focusing on it being hers and her not being her to celebrate with any longer. We always shared the same cake so I never even had my own cake. My b/day is also June 14th so it’s also the Army’s birthday so I get to celebrate with some of the most awesome men and women on the planet…along with one of the best role models ever (my grandma).
★★★★★
Andi says
Hi, Renee. That must be hard to celebrate your birthday now that your grandma is gone since the two of you always celebrated together. I hope each year gets a little easier and you can start to enjoy your cake!
Jennifer Gibs says
Taking the day off!
Andi says
That sounds great, Jennifer! My kids never give me a day off ;)
Claudia M says
I let my family surprise me :)
★★★★
Andi says
That’s fun, Claudia! I hope they treat you well every year :)
Kiera M. says
I always go out on the town to eat and have drinks with friends
★★★★
Andi says
That sounds fun, Kiera. I need to go out on the town with friends. That hasn’t happened much since we had kids!
Nancy Pevey says
I’d like to make these cookies and send them to my grandmother. Do you think they’d be okay after three or four days in the mail?
Andi says
Hi, Nancy! I think they should be OK. I would pack them with long-lasting ice packs and send them Priority Mail, so they would probably get to where they are going in a couple days and still taste fresh.
Renee says
I get to have breakfast in bed.
Andi says
That sounds relaxing, Renee!
Kiki C says
Birth DAY? Heck, in these parts we celebrate for a week of two! Having fun, taking the time to do special things, eating treats, and drink ing delicious concoctions. Life’s short…..give thanks and enjoy!
Andi says
That sounds good, Kiki! This year my husband’s birthday was on a Tuesday, so we had little celebrations the weekend before and after and on the day of. I like making it a week-long event!
Carol at Wild Goose Tea says
I think I tasted a pop tart once???? But I know I love shortbread cookies and pumpkin. I also love to make thumb print cookies. This is a new one for me. I pinned it.
Andi says
I grew up eating unfrosted Pop Tarts toasted with a little butter spread on top. So. Good. It’s hard to even find the unfrosted ones anymore! Homemade cookies are better for me anyway :)
nikki robak says
dinner with family
Andi says
Birthday dinner is definitely my favorite part of the day. Who am I kidding? That’s my favorite part of every day! Good luck in the giveaway, Nikki :)
Karen @ The Food Charlatan says
This is such a great idea Andi! I’m totally giggling at the idea of you pouring milk on your gluten free cereal while you eye the poptarts. So sad! Great solution :)
Andi says
Thanks, Karen! I’m glad the gluten free cereal scene sounded as pathetic as I intended ;)
Holly says
I keep birthdays pretty low-key. Out to dinner, mainly.
Andi says
Sounds good to me, Holly! I hope you get cake at the end :)
jean olaughlin says
I usually go out to dinner with family.
Andi says
That’s a perfect way to celebrate, Jean!
Rusty H says
I celebrate my birthday by choosing a nice restaurant for my family to take me.
Andi says
That sounds perfect, Rusty!
Isabella T. says
I haven’t done anything too major for my birthday in a long time. I usually spend it with loved ones and eat cake. Thank you for the great cookie recipe. I know someone who is going to LOVE these! :)
★★★★★
Andi says
Eating cake is the best part of a birthday, so it sounds like you’ve got your priorities straight ;) Glad you like the cookies, Isabella. Thank you!
Auntiepatch says
We celebrate our birthdays with good food, cake & ice cream!
★★★★★
Andi says
As long as there is good food it sounds like a good time to me!
Ivana Jankovic says
I celebrate my birthday by spending it with my friends and family, but my favorite part from celebrating is eating cake :)
Andi says
Yes for sure! I love birthday cake too, Ivana!
Kathleen @ Fearlessly Creative Mammas says
Birthdays are a crap shoot for me. Sometimes we go camping, if it falls on Memorial Day weekend. Otherwise we don’t do anything too special.
Andi says
I hope you at least get a good dinner and dessert, Kathleen!