Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, use a mixer to beat softened butter and brown sugar together until the mixture looks fluffy and pale, about 3 minutes.
Add the large egg and vanilla extract to the bowl, mixing until fully incorporated and the mixture is smooth.
Pour in the pumpkin puree and mix again until the batter is evenly combined, and you start to smell warm pumpkin aroma.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, pumpkin pie spice, salt, and baking soda to evenly distribute the spices and leavening agents.
Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until the flour disappears and the dough comes together with a soft, slightly sticky texture.
Using a cookie scoop, portion out dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart for spreading.
Bake in the oven for 12 to 15 minutes, until the edges turn a light golden brown and the centers look slightly puffy.
Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the cookies cool on it for about 5 minutes; they will firm up slightly as they cool.
Transfer the cookies to a wire rack or plate to cool completely, revealing their soft, chewy interior and lightly crisped edges.
Enjoy these cozy pumpkin spice cookies with a cup of tea or coffee, basking in the warm aroma and comforting flavors.
