Lisa's Delicious Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies 🎃🍪

Get ready to fall in love with these delightful cookies! Bursting with the flavors of pumpkin and rich chocolate, they’re perfect for cozy evenings or festive gatherings. The combination of warm spices and sweet chocolate makes these cookies a comforting treat any time of the year! Serve them warm with a glass of milk or a cozy cup of tea. ☕🍪

Ingredients

For the cookie dough

• 1 cup pumpkin puree (canned or fresh)
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup vegetable oil (or melted coconut oil for a twist)
• 1 large egg

Dry ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour (or whole wheat for a hearty option)
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking soda dissolved in 1 teaspoon milk

Flavor enhancers

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• ½ cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans work great!)

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This is crucial for those perfect golden cookies! 🕒

2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the pumpkin, sugar, oil, and egg. Mix until smooth and creamy.

3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and cinnamon. Gradually add this dry mixture to the pumpkin mixture, along with the dissolved baking soda.

🥄 Tip: Don't overmix! Just stir until the ingredients are combined. A few flour streaks are okay; it keeps the cookies tender.

4. Stir in the vanilla, chocolate chips, and nuts until evenly distributed.

5. Drop spoonfuls of dough onto a lightly greased cookie sheet, leaving some space between each cookie to allow for spreading.

6. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are firm and the centers are slightly soft. They will continue to cook a bit on the baking sheet after being removed from the oven!

7. Let cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

🍂 Storage: These cookies keep well in an airtight container and actually taste better the next day as the flavors meld together. Perfect for meal prep or gifting!

Variations

• Gluten-free: Substitute with your favorite gluten-free flour blend. You may need to adjust the amount of liquid slightly.
• Spiced: Add a pinch of nutmeg or ginger for an extra kick of flavor!
• Nut-free: Omit the nuts and try adding more chocolate chips or some shredded coconut instead.
• Lower sugar: Reduce the sugar by half and use ripe bananas to maintain moisture and sweetness.

Get ready to bake up a storm with these scrumptious cookies! Happy baking! 🎉🍪