Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cookies

I have been making this recipe since I was in preschool.  We made these in class around Halloween - Thanksgiving to teach us about measuring and cooking.  They were so delicious!  It became tradition in my family to make them every autumn.

Preheat oven to 375*.

Blend:

1 cup cooked pumpkin (I use Libby's in the can- plain)
1 egg
1/2 cup vegetable oil

Sift:

1 cup sugar
1 t baking powder
2 cups flour
1 t cinnamon
1/2 t salt

Mix with wet ingredients.  Then mix in:

1 t baking soda dissolved in
1 t milk (I have subbed soy)
1 t vanilla extract

Stir in:

1 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Drop well rounded teaspoonfuls on to a parchment lined cookie sheet and bake for 7 - 10 minutes.  They are done when they start to brown.

This is a very forgiving basic recipe.  I have added different spices (ground ginger, nutmeg, allspice, cardamom), subbed whole wheat flour, added chia seeds and/or rolled oats, raisins, coconut, etc depending on what I have had on hand or been in the mood for.  Have fun!

You will find that these are muffiny little cookies that are great for breakfast or dessert!