"Pumpkin Chocolate Explosion Cookie Pillow Things"

It's the weekend and I love to lounge around on a Saturday morning, drinking coffee and baking! As the seasons change and we turn the corner and head into fall, it's time for a Katie specialty and crowd favorite.

Growing up we always had "Pumpkin Cookies" in the fall. They'd show up just after school started and make regular appearances until Thanksgiving when the recipe would go into hibernation until the next autumn. My grandmother's recipe, these easy little cookies were always a hit. Friends began to ask for them, college roommates eagerly checked the mail each day hoping for a cookie care package from Mrs. D'Amato and office mates polished off a tin of them by mid-morning. My sisters and I began "sharing the wealth" - baking from my mother's hand-written recipe card and giving credit where credit was due. (Thank you Grandma Fournier.) Pumpkin cookies are a true signal that fall is here!

The thing that I love most about Pumpkin Cookies (other than how easy they are and how shocked I always am that a cookie this delicious doesn't require any butter - no butter! Craziness!) is the shock, awe and absolute delight the recipients experience. They take a questioning look at the lumpy orange muffin-like cookie and decide to try one. With one bite into this cakey-cookie they're hooked. They try and describe it (with their mouth filled) and it's always a glowing review. Some of my favorites...

• "Heaven is a pumpkin cookie." -John B.
• "Um, those pumpkin chocolate explosion cookie pillow things are AMAZING." -Nick S.
• "You are super sweet...just like your cookies. I've eaten 5 of them!" -Chris H.

I mean, what's better than giving someone a "cookie pillow" or a bit of "heaven?" All I can say is pumpkin cookies always deliver and never disappoint. So, without further delay, here's the recipe so that you too can pass around a little bit of pumpkin happiness!

"Mom's Pumpkin Cookies"

Pre-heat over 350'

Combine...

- 1 cup canned pumpkin

- 1 beaten egg

- 1/2 c oil (vegetable)
- 1 c sugar

Mix w/ combined dry ingredients

- 2 cups all-purpose flour

- 2 tsp baking powder

- 1 tsp cinnamon

- 1/2 tsp salt

- 1 tsp baking soda + 1 tsp milk (dissolve)

Once combined, stir in...

- 1 tsp vanilla extract

- Chocolate Chips (As much or as little as you like - I use the entire bag!)

Spoon onto baking sheet in little "blobs." (Yes, that's a technical term!)
Bake for 10-14 minutes...toothpick should come out clean.

Share and enjoy!