Chocolate Chip Cookies, of the Pumpkin Variety

I swear I eat other things besides sweets. And pumpkin-flavored things. But if you'd look at these cookies and my newly updated Recipes page, you probably won't believe me.

Here is a little fun fact about these cookies... This recipe is from my 7th grade Home Economics class. That's like... 13 years ago. Whaaaaat?! Seriously, I remember the paper the recipe was printed on and it had little hand drawn jack-o-lanterns on it. So if you think this recipe is too complicated, remember that my 13-year old self managed to make it work.

You will eventually see other interesting recipes here, but humor me while I literally "feed" my pumpkin dessert obsession. These cookies are so light and fluffy, I can't pass them up. I make them a few times every Fall, and unfortunately now that I'm working from home, I can't pass them off to coworkers.  I have a feeling I'm going to have to actually hit the gym again so I don't look like a disgusting slob in my black leggings this fall...

Ingredients:
3/4 cup Sugar
1 cup + 2 tablespoons Flour
1/4 teaspoon Salt
1/2 teaspoon Baking Powder
1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda
1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon
1/2 cup Pumpkin Puree
2 Eggs
1/4 cup of melted Margarine (mine is obviously not melted in this photo!)
1/2 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
1/2 cup Chocolate Chips (you can add more if you like)
1/2 cup Walnuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 

Sift flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon together into a large bowl.

I have this sifter. It's so easy to use and worth it if you bake often!

In a smaller bowl, mix together sugar, eggs, and melted margarine until creamy.

Add half of egg mixture to flour mixture, then half of pumpkin. Mix until just coated, then add the remaining egg mixture and pumpkin puree.

Note: Dough will be much more sticky than you are used to for chocolate chip cookies. Just go with it.

Stir in vanilla, chocolate chips, and nuts.

Drop by the spoonful (for the love of God, do not try to use your hands) onto greased cookie sheets. I've gotten into the habit of using parchment paper on my cookie sheets and it makes cleaning up a breeze. Also, make small cookies. These expand a lot and you will probably end up with mammoth cookies if you use more than a tablespoon of dough per cookie!

Bake for 12 to 14 minutes or until cookies are browning on edges. Place on cooling racks immediately.

So there you have it folks, easily one of my favorite recipes of the Fall season. Who would have thought I'd be making these over a decade later?! Eeks I'm feeling old.