Favorite Fall Cookie Recipe

With fall upon us and winter fast approaching I always start craving my favorite cookies this time of year. Pumpkin Cookies...they are just so good and they seem to hit the spot when you have that moment of I am hungry but I am just not sure what for. I make DOZENS of these every Christmas for family events. So I am hoping that one of my favorites becomes one of yours:

This pumpkin cookie recipe includes directions for making your own pumpkin purée.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup butter, room temperature
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 1 egg
• 1 cup pumpkin purée, canned or homemade*
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 cup milk
• if you want to make them your own you can also add walnuts or chocolate chips to them (I personally LOVE them with chocolate chips, if you add those use semi-sweet one bag for every batch you make)

Preparation:

In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in molasses and egg. Stir in the pumpkin purée. In another bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Stir flour mixture into the creamed mixture along with the milk. Blend thoroughly but do not over beat. (if adding walnuts or chocolate chips, add them in while mixing the two mixtures together)

Drop cookie dough by rounded teaspoonfuls onto greased baking sheets. Bake at 375° for about 12 minutes, until set. Cool for a minute; remove to racks and continue to cool.

To make pumpkin purée, cut pumpkin in half, crosswise. Remove seeds and membranes. Place on a greased baking sheet, cut side down, and bake at 325° for 1 hour, or until tender. Cool for 10 minutes. Remove pulp and place in blender or processor. Purée or process until smooth. Place in a cheesecloth-lined mesh strainer or sieve and let drain into a bowl for about an hour. When dripping has stopped, put purée into a container, cover, and refrigerate if not using right away.

Makes about 3 dozen pumpkin cookies.

Hope you will enjoy these as much as I do!
Until Next Time,
Mom of Many