Monday, August 8, 2011

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies #GlutenFree


I have recipes that I only make during certain season's or holidays like everyone else.  I enjoy having eggnog at Christmas time and Ham with Easter Dinner.  You will soon learn that I love pumpkin all year long.   When I crave a cookie that is soft, warm and filled with the flavors of spices and chocolate, I usually go to my favorite Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe.
 


I was first introduced to this gem of a recipe, 24 years ago by a family friend, Roseanne.  I still remember Roseanne and their family.  They had all boys and we would often house sit for them when they went away.  She would make these cookies for her boys because the recipe would make a whole bunch and the kids loved them.
I had some pumpkin leftover from the scones and decided to attempt this recipe using my GF flours.  I have included the recipe as is (which is wonderful) and with the changes for a GF family favorite.  My family could not get enough of them... POOF and they were gone from the kitchen in a heartbeat.


This past week I have not felt well, a summer cold is not FUN, so I have missed my walks at the beach every day.  I love going to the beach and searching for my beach glass.  I call it beach glass and not sea glass because our glass comes from the Chesapeake Bay and not the wide-open ocean.  Under a microscope, you can tell the difference. The sea impact on the glass is different than the bay.  


I collect the glass and I love it.  I am not picky when picking up the glass on the beach.  I take it all home and then lay it out and sort the glass.  I have glass that is new and old, brown and white, small and large.  I have old china pieces (my favorites to find) and a few in an array of colors: blue, green, lavender, pink and yellow.  It's a hobby that relaxes me and a way that I can bring the beach home with me.



On this particular day, I grabbed my warm cookies and a cup of tea.  I grabbed my bowls of glass and sat by the window just thinking and looking at my glass.  I always wonder "where" did it come from, was it on a ship, who had the glass, was it garbage to someone else?  So many possibilities from one tiny piece of glass.  I can guess to how old the glass is based on how smooth the edges are. How "salted" the glass looks and the color.  History and events have always tugged at my heart and by searching for this glass on the beach I find myself looking BACK in time.  


I don't have the heart to throw away the glass that is not aged. So I keep it.  Someday it will find a new home but today I love seeing it sparkle in the sunshine.


This post is about my glass, but I do collect rocks too.  I have bowls of rocks that my kids have found.  I also like the very flat rocks to stack in my sand garden.  I love nature brought inside.


I love spending some quiet time trying to stack the rocks.  It's very relaxing for me.  The sand also feels good in my hands.

With my cookies in hand, I was able to slow down and enjoy something I loved doing outside of my home.  It's okay to take a minute and find a quiet place to have your thoughts be turned to a memory, a moment or just to say "ah" after a long day of work or a day of not feeling well.  I hope that when you make these cookies, you too, can find a quiet place to say "ah".

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies


1 cup of pumpkin ( I have used canned and freshly baked..they both work well)
1 cup of white sugar
1/2 cup of butter 
1 egg
2 cups of flour
2 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. of milk
1 T. Vanilla extract
1 cup of chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped nuts (Optional)


Combine the pumpkin, sugar, butter or egg in a mixing bowl. Using a mixer,  blend together. 


 In a separate bowl, combine the dry ingredients. 


Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients.  Mix well.  Add the vanilla, chocolate chips and nuts.  I don't use the nuts in mine.  It's a personal choice.


Drop by spoonful on greased cookie sheet or baking stone lined with parchment paper. 


Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes. They should be firm and lightly browned.


Remove to a cooling rack.  Serve with milk, coffee or tea. 


NOTE:  To make this gluten free, I made these changes:


1 cup of pumpkin ( I have used canned and freshly baked..they both work well)
1 cup of brown sugar
1/2 cup of butter 
1 egg 
1/2 cup of white rice flour
1/2 cup of brown rice flour
1/4 cup tapioca starch
3/4 cup almond meal
1 tsp. xantham gum
2 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. of milk or almond milk
1 T. Vanilla extract
1 cup of chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped nuts (Optional)

Follow instructions above to make the cookies. ENJOY!



8 comments:

  1. As always, I love reading your post - great story and of course beeeeeeeeautiful pictures!

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  2. Thank you Nami! Your words are always so kind..Sherron

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  3. I loooooove pumpkin chocolate chip cookies. They really are a favorite, especially given that I STILL have pumpkins left over from last year's garden! (Good thing too b/c this year's pumpkins aren't doing nearly as well :( ). I want to try these soon! :)

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  4. Let me know how they turn out! If I were you, I would make a double batch..LOL I wish I had now...Thanks for stopping by, Sherron

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  5. I love the glass.. Corby collects it too. So every time I have the chance I gather it for him. He does different things with it, he made a really cool stained glass window with it one time. I love to find it too.

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  6. There is a lady in the cape that collects it as well. She is doing her bathroom in it. That is a lot of collecting..LOL I am happy with my little bowls of prettiness. Thanks for visiting the blog Genene...Have a great night!

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  7. Sherron I just taking my first batch of pumpkin cookies out of the oven they are wonderful. I called my friend Carolynn and ask her to stop by and taste them ofcourse I made a batch for her to take home.LOL MOM

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  8. Love LOVE this post, it relaxes me even as I read it & want to eat those pumpkin cookies! I don't live by a bay or the ocean, I dream maybe someday having a cottage by the sea sipping tea & now eating pumpkin cookies :)I go to craft shows just to find some sea glass. My children & I collect rocks everywhere we go...they also collect sticks,leaves...thank goodness they don't collect gross bugs! Thanks for the recipe, I'm going to be the "Bestest" Mommy ever with this recipe.

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