Easy Pumpkin Cookies

Trick or treat...Halloween is almost here. Are you dressing up this year??? I love Halloween but I hate trying to come up with a costume so I rarely do. I always want it to be the perfect one and you know, it just takes to much effort. At this point, I would throw on a mask, paint my face or buy a costume just so I wouldn't have to think about it. Kudos to all of you that create your own costumes.

When I was growing up, my mom always helped us come up with a great costume. One year my brother and I dressed up as an old married couple - I as the husband and my brother as the wife (high heels and everything). We fooled the whole neighborhood. Another year I was a witch and my mom added a big wart to my face made out of a chopped walnut and coconut mixed with peanut butter. It was great. She is the creative one in the family. 

Here's picture of my brother (on the right) and I dressed up as husband and wife almost 30 years ago. 

This time of year and I especially love being able to break out the cans of pumpkin. Pumpkin is so versatile as you can use it in so many things. Soups, cakes, cookies, drinks, muffins, cheesecake, pancakes - the list is endless. Often you can't even tell that there is pumpkin in the dish or baked good, it just makes everything moist and delicious.

I remembered having these cookies at my grandma's house quite a few years back and loved them. I called her the other day and asked her for the recipe. She is not one for writing a recipe down - it's just a little of this and a little of that. The trait of a great cook! Thankfully this one is very simple as you'll see. And just to take them a step further, I added a cream cheese frosting. You certainly don't need to frost them and if you prefer a regular vanilla or chocolate icing, this would be delicious too.

I'm sure many of you are busy with kids and this is the perfect recipe to whip up in no time. Your kids will love them! You could even add chocolate chips to this recipe. I must warn you though...they are addictive just as they are. It's hard to eat just one.

Easy Pumpkin Cookies

Cookie

1 box Spice Cake Mix

1 15oz can pumpkin

1 egg
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Cream Cheese Frosting

1 8oz package cream cheese, room temperature (can use lite)

1/4 cup butter, room temperature

1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup confectioner's sugar 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large mixing bowl, add spice cake mix, egg, and the can of pumpkin. Mix until all combined. Drop by rounded tablespoon on to a greased baking sheet. It doesn't hurt to flatten them out a bit as they don't melt much during baking. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until they are slightly firm to touch.Frost when cool and sprinkle with nuts if you'd like.

To make the frosting, add all the ingredients to a mixing bowl. Beat until well combined.

I like to keep these cookies in the refrigerator since they are very moist. Enjoy!

Courtesy of my Grandma Baker

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