Plenty of Pumpkin

Happy Friday everyone!

Glad you all enjoyed my recap on my trip to California. Since getting back, I’ve been doing a lot of catching up with school life, and being that this past week was mid-terms, things were a tad hectic. But never too hectic to cook, bake, or blog of course!

This past weekend I went home to visit the family while the weather is still decent enough to drive two hours—some parts of Minnesota have already gotten up to 4 inches of snow..yes, I know..sad day.

Check out the area’s biggest pumpkins of the season….

I bet Libby’s would love to get their hand on these!!

And then we went target shooting.I shot a few times..

But mostly, mom and I just observed and had fun taking pictures…

But now, finally onto food. I have so many recipes, both sweet and savory that I’ve made since coming back from vacation. So there’s going to be lots to blog about this month!

I’ll start with the fact that I recently joined the 12 Weeks of Christmas Cookies countdown, so in other words, a new cookie recipe will be posted till Christmas each week here :-)

• 2 sticks softened butter
• 1 Cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 Cup packed light brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 Tablespoon pure vanilla
• 1 Cup pumpkin, from can
• 3 1/4 Cups all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon fresh grated nutmeg
• 12 oz bag chocolate chunk pieces (or chocolate chips work fine too)
• 35 or so unwrapped Pumpkin Spice Kisses, quartered

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  In stand mixer, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy.  Beat in eggs and vanilla until well combined then add pumpkin.

2.  Place flour, salt, baking soda, cinnamon and nutmeg into large bowl; mix to combine then slowly add to wet ingredients then chocolate and kisses.  Mix only until just combined.

3.  Scoop medium cookie scoop of dough onto a silpat or parchment lined baking sheet, about an inch apart.  Bake for 9-11 minutes or until edges just begin to brown.  Let cool on pan for 5 minutes before removing.

Recipe notes: This recipe was a HUGE success. An 80 year old family friend said she has never tasted a cookie that good..and she’s eaten ALOT of cookies I’m sure!

 

Week 5 Twelve Weeks of Christmas: