Pumpkin Cookies

Fall is in the air and so should the smell of pumpkin baked goods. Whip up some pumpkin cookies if you don't have the time to muss and fuss making a pumpkin pie. I made these for the last two fall parties we had and they were a HIT! Seriously these are out of this world and so easy to make. The husband of one of my girlfriend's said he was raving about these cookies and said they were the best he had ever had. Now that is a lofty compliment!

Recipe from "Real Simple".com

3 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup canned pumpkin puree

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 large egg 1 cup all-purpose flour (I use whole wheat)

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (found in the spice aisle)

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

Optional cream cheese frosting:

2/3 cup cream cheese, at room temperature

1/4 cup heavy cream

Powdered sugar until it reaches desired consistency.

Heat oven to 375° F.

Beat the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment until smooth. Add the pumpkin, vanilla, and egg and beat until combined.

Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice, and salt in a medium bowl.

Slowly add the flour mixture to the sugar and butter and beat on medium-low speed until fully incorporated.

Spoon heaping tablespoons of the mixture 2 inches apart onto parchment- or foil-lined baking sheets.

Bake until puffed and cooked through, about 10 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes.Clean the mixer, then, as the cookies bake, beat the cream cheese, heavy cream, and confectionersý sugar until smooth and spreadable.

Tip: The cookies can be made up to 3 days in advance and kept in an airtight container. Whip the frosting and frost no more than 2 hours before serving.

ENJOY! Let me know if you try them out.

What I like to do with the left over pumpkin puree.

Feed it to my daugher plain

or doctor it up with a little wheat germ, ground flax seed, pumpkin pie spice and honey. Chill it and eat cold. YUM YUM!!! It tastes like a mini pie. Try it out for a healthy snack!