Sunday, October 7, 2007

Pumpkin Cookies with Orange Frosting



For as long as I can remember, my mother has been making these cookies, only as a banana version with lemon frosting. We have no idea where the recipe came from, but I remember eating them when we still lived in Houston (in other words, a very long time ago.) I have wondered how they would be with pumpkin instead, and finally gave it a try today. My experiment was successful! They are like tiny little pumpkin cakes - they are incredibly soft and spicy and made my apartment smell delicious. They would be lovely on their own, but I can never resist frosting...

(I have been enjoying the ledge outside my kitchen this fall - the ivy finally reached my window!)

Pumpkin Cookies

- 1/2 cup butter, room temperature
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup canned pumpkin
- 2 cups flour (The flour can be replaced with 2 cups of whole wheat pastry flour, or with quinoa flour for gluten-free cookies. Both work really well with this recipe, and still give you soft, cakey cookies.)
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice (I will use a little more next time)
* If you want to do the banana version instead, use 1 cup of smashed banana (about 2 large bananas), and replace the pumpkin pie spice with 1/2 tsp cinnamon and 1/4 tsp cloves.)

Oven to 375 degrees. Mix dry ingredients well in a small bowl. Beat sugar and butter in a large bowl until fluffy, then add eggs and pumpkin. Mix well, then add dry ingredients. Drop in heaping tablespoons (or use a smallish ice cream scoop) on cookie sheet, and bake for 8-10 minutes until firm to the touch, or a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely before frosting.

Frosting

- 1/3 cup butter at room temperature
- 2-3 cups powdered sugar
- zest of 1 orange
- 2-3 Tbsp orange juice

Beat until fluffy. Spread on cooled cookies.

13 comments:

How To Eat A Cupcake said...

pumpkin cookies! yummm!

Cynthia said...

Hi Mallow, thanks for stopping by my blog and helping me to discover yours. My, someone has a sweet tooth :) I was just browsing through your place.

I've added you to my feeds and do look forward to seeing you around.

Emily said...

These pumpkin cookies look delicious! Make the most out of the season.
I think I'm going to do something with pumpkin tomorrow.

Gattina Cheung said...

You are so creative! I instantly love your recipe... and that cutie cookie... when I first saw them!
It is very interesting to see where the bloggers live :) Your neighborhood area looks very nice.

Big Boys Oven said...

Outstanding!

Anonymous said...

I my goodness those cookies look great!

Anonymous said...

Your cookies look delicious. I love anything pumpkin in the fall. Thanks for stopping by my blog. Your blog is lovely!

Sandi McBride said...

Hi Mallow, found you at Sandi's place (Whistlestop) and fell in love with the bird picture by your name...now I'm about to attempt making cookies...those look really good! Will be back to visit!!!
Sandi

Mercedes said...

These look delicious. My boyfriend's mum sent us pumpkin cookies from Cheryl and Co. in Ohio that look just like this, and I ever since I've been looking for a similar recipe!

Gigi said...

ooh, I love everything pumpkin! Your cookies look delicious. I especially enjoyed the photo of "fall".I'm originally from Chicago, so I miss the fall season the most. Thank you stopping by and leaving a lovely comment.

Belinda said...

I love pumpkin desserts, and your cookies with orange frosting sound like such a wonderful flavor combination...great idea! And these do look like cute little pumpkin cakes...love them!

Nicole said...

Yummo! I can't wait to try these. I just love your blog! :)

Helene said...

How creative and I am glad the experiment worked for you because I know have a tried and true pumpkin cookie recipe! Thanks for sharing!