"Some Like It Hot"

While these cookies do remind me of everything delicious and fragrant about fall, they aren't the least bit hot... however, that saying was the first thing that came to mind when I saw Anita's post that she'd be hosting Sugar High Friday this month, and her selected theme was "Spice Up Your Life"!

I admit that there are more creative uses of spices in the wide world of baked goods than these cookies, but you really can't get a better mix of fall flavors packed into one cookie than these so without really a whole lot of deliberation, I knew they would be my entry... even though these yummy treats might only make use of cinnamon in the spices category, there's just no better combination than cinnamon and pumpkin!!

Great Pumpkin Cookies
makes about 20 large cookies

2 c flour
1 c old fashioned oats, uncooked
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1 c butter, softened
1 c brown sugar
1 c granulated sugar
1 egg, slightly beaten
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 c solid pumpkin
1 c semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine flour, oats, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Cream butter; gradually add sugars, beating until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla; mix well. Alternate additions of dry ingredients and pumpkin, mixing well after each addition. Stir in morsels. For each cookie, drop 1 TBSP to 1/4 c (depending on your preference) dough onto lightly greased cookie sheet.

Bake 20-25 minutes, until cookies are firm and lightly browned. Remove from cookie sheets, cool on racks.

Prepare to enjoy one of our favorite fall treats - but act fast, they will go quickly!

By the way, if you haven't checked out Anita's blog, Dessert First, you MUST. She has absolutely breath-taking pictures of even better sounding recipes. Check back for my attempt at her favorite cookie ever... how can you pass up a cookie with that kind of a recommendation!