Pumpkin Cookies

Patti Knowlton's Frosted Pumpkin Cookies

Requested by Jana King

Cookies 

1 1/2 cups sugar

3/4 cup shortening

1 1/2 cups canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling)

3 cups flour

1 1/2 tsp baking soda

1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice

1/2 tsp salt

2 cups chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375°F.

Cream together the sugar and shortening about 1 minute. Add the pumpkin and mix well. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the pumpkin mixture, just until blended. Stir in the chocolate chips.

Bake on cookie sheet sprayed with non-stick spray or lined with parchment paper for 8-10 minutes at 375°F.

Frosting

1/2 cup butter (one stick)

2 cups powdered sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

pinch of salt

2 T milk

Beat the butter until it is creamy, then add the remaining ingredients. Spread cooled cookies with frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting

1/2 cup butter, softened slightly
4 oz. cream cheese (light is fine)
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 cups powdered sugar
1 T heavy whipping cream (or milk)
Beat the butter and cream cheese for 3-5 minutes. Add the vanilla and powdered sugar and beat until well combined. Add the whipping cream (in its liquid state, not whipped) and beat one minute longer.

Note from Patti

This recipe came to my collection via Julie Chambers, so you KNOW it's good!  I've adapted the recipe and directions slightly. The original recipe uses the first frosting recipe, but I think the cream cheese frosting would up the yum factor immensely, so choose one or the other!