Barbara Fowles, a dear woman in our church, passed away recently, leaving all of us who knew her in saddened shock. While flipping through my recipe collection, I came upon her instructions for pumpkin chocolate chip cookies. In loving memory, I’d like to share this recipe with you today.
3 c. sugar
1 c. shortening (I use margarine when I make them – Tristi’s note)
3 eggs
1 large can pumpkin
6 c. flour
¾ t. nutmeg
3 t. cinnamon
1 t. salt
12 t. baking powder
1 ½ t. vanilla
1 t. lemon juice
1 ½ bags chocolate chips (I have made this with just one bag and it worked – Tristi’s note)
In a large bowl, cream together the wet ingredients. In another large bowl, blend together the dry ingredients, and then stir them together. You can use your electric mixer for this, but mix in chocolate chips by hand. Bake at 350 degrees on ungreased cookie sheets for 10-12 minutes. Your actual baking time will vary depending on your altitude and what type of oven you have.
Autumn is a perfect time for this recipe. These cookies fit right in with the Thanksgiving theme, and canned pumpkin goes on sale for half price. I like to buy several cans of pumpkin while it’s on sale and save it to make these cookies whenever the craving hits, which is pretty often, truth be told. It’s a nice change from pumpkin pie and a delicious twist on the traditional chocolate chip cookie. The cinnamon perks up the chocolate and they work very well together.
Barbara came to visit me when my second son was born and asked if she could bring in a meal. I felt we’d be all right as far as meals went, but jokingly told her that I could use some cookies. She brought these over that very night, despite the fact that she was one busy woman. I couldn’t believe she would drop everything to bake for me, but she did. She was just that kind of woman. She was a marvelous cook and a wonderful friend. You will be missed, Barbara.
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