Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Heat Oven to 375

1 C shortening
2 C sugar
2 eggs
2 t vanilla
15 oz canned pumpkin
4 C flour
1 1/2 t baking soda
1 1/2 t baking powder
1 t salt
1 t cinnamon
pinch nutmeg
12 oz semisweet chocolate chips

Cream shortening and sugar. beat in eggs. Stir in vanilla and pumpkin. Add dry ingredients and mix until combined. Stir in chocolate chips. Drop by large spoonfuls onto greased cookie sheet and bake 12 minutes.

Delicious cookie recipe from my friend Steph H. I like to bump up the amount of cinnamon and nutmeg in mine to enhance the pumpkin flavor. These cookies are so soft and yummy that you're going to have to have people in mind to give some to before hand or you'll end up eating all of them yourself.

No Bake Cookies

1/2 C shortening or margarine
2 C sugar
4 T cocoa
1/2 C milk
pinch salt
1/4 C peanut butter
1 t vanilla
3 C quick oats

Mix shortening, sugar, cocoa, milk and salt in large sauce pan and bring to a boil. Boil for 1 minute stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Add peanut butter, vanilla and oats. Drop by spoonfuls onto wax paper and let cool.

I've searched for years for a no bake cookie recipe that worked for me. Not sure what my problem was but they would just never set up for me. This is the only one that ever has and man, is it tasty! Thanks to my friend Steph H. for sharing it with me.

Seven Layer Cookies

Heat oven to 325

1/2 C melted butter
1 1/2 C graham cracker crumbs
8 oz flaked coconut
6 oz chocolate chips
6 oz butterscotch chips
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 C chopped walnuts

In 13x9 pan spread each ingredient in the order given. Bake 30 minutes. Give bars plenty of time to cool before cutting.

This came from a recipe exchange from Kathy R. The only pit fall I've found with them is not letting them completely cool. If you don't you'll just be eating goo. Yummy goo, but goo none the less.

My Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookies

Heat oven to 375

2 ¾ C flour
1 t baking soda
1 t salt
1 C shortening
1 ½ C brown sugar
2 t vanilla
2 eggs
2 C chocolate chips
1 C chopped nuts

Combine dry ingredients in small bowl. In another bowl beat shortening, sugar, and vanilla. Add eggs. Add flour mixture gradually. Stir in chips and nuts. Bake 8-10 minutes.

I've been playing with this one for years. I finally have it just the way I want it. My favorite nuts to use are pecans but walnuts are always a safe and yummy bet. If you prefer a crunchier cookie, omit some of the brown sugar and replace it with white sugar. The more brown sugar the chewier the cookie. Pretty sure that tidbit came from Alton Brown; my favorite TV chef.

Homemade Oreos (AKA: Cookie Heaven)

Heat oven to 350

1 pkg devil’s food cake mix
2/3 C shortening
2 eggs

Beat all ingredients until well combined. Using melon baller, drop onto cookie sheet. Bake 9 minutes. When cooled frost with cream cheese frosting and sandwich.

Thank you Dennis Family for these oh-so-yummy cookies. The recipe was part of a bridal shower present. The only way homemade cookies could be easier is if you cut open a log of refrigerated dough. They wouldn't be nearly as yummy though!

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

Heat oven to 400

1 ½ C flour
1 t baking powder
½ t baking soda
½ t salt
¼ t ground cloves
¼ t cinnamon
¼ t ground nutmeg
2 eggs
1 C sugar
¾ C canned pumpkin
¼ C vegetable oil
12 oz chocolate chips

Sift dry ingredients in large bowl. Beat eggs, sugar, oil and pumpkin in second bowl. Mix into the dry ingredients. Fold in chocolate chips. Fill muffin cups 2/3 full and bake 18-20 minutes.

I got this recipe from my mom over the phone my freshman year of college. Apparently she got it from my aunt Sheri. Very good.