Serene Sunday: Oh, The Sadness Of Parting, Pumpkin Cookies

Here it is folks, the ever kept secret, Pumpkin Cookies.

The Fall party that the pumpkin cookies were supplied for was a huge success.

See the little boys at the left of the picture? Yup, they are reaching for pumpkin cookies.

The purpose of the party was for this "sweet thing", Ginny.

She traveled all the way from Arizona just to see her Ohio friends and family.

Isn't she gorgeous?

Being taken from 100 degree weather to 60 degree weather, she had to be kept in a winter coat and footie-jammies.

And she was passed from friend to friend, family to family, and smothered with kisses. I bet she slept late today....

What a perfect day to be sad, thankful, and serene.....a Sunday.

I am sad because I am finally giving up my pumpkin cookie recipe (tear).

I thought this was going to be a well kept secret, but what good are secrets if you don't share (tear)?

I am thankful because I have such great friends to share my secret with (happy).

And the serene part, it is a beautiful day outside (happy).

Secrets shared, great friends, and a beautiful day, doesn't get much better (happy).

I know one person that is going to be very happy to finally have this recipe.

Joyce, get your printer warmed up, ingredients purchased, and oven preheated, it is finally here.

But you know what that means? My Christmas gift to Wayne is going to have to be something different now.

I thought I would have a little fun with the left-over cookies.

In Amish Country a pumpkin whoopie-pie is popular, demanding, and a special treat.

But they are very sweet, as I found out the enjoyable way. I couldn't help myself, I had to eat just one.

As you can see, I made it half way through and just couldn't eat anymore.

Man, are they sweet (talk about a sugar rush). I was wired for the rest of the day.

Here is my stack of pumpkin whoopie-pies.

The plate and the plaque came from The Green Awning in Stryker, Ohio.

The perfect place for the serious foodie blogger. Pretty plates and dishes galore...

Pumpkin Cookies

2 1/2 c. all purpose flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg

1/2 c. butter, softened

1 1/2 c. granulated sugar

1 c. solid pack pumpkin

1 egg

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 c. chopped walnuts (opt)

These can be frosted with a butter cream frosting, or a cream cheese frosting, but you will have to search for a recipe. Sorry, I don't have an exact recipe for the frosting. When I make mine, I just dump the ingredients together.

But I do have the recipe for the whoopie-pie filling. That will come later.

Directions:

In medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside.

In large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add pumpkin, egg, and vanilla; beat until light and creamy. Add dry ingredients; mix well. Drop by rounded TBS onto greased cookie sheets (I use Pampered Chef baking stones).

Smooth tops of cookies (I used a lightly floured bottom of glass and lightly press). Bake in a preheated 350 degree F. oven for 15-20 minutes, or until lightly browned. When using baking stones, they are done in 15 minutes. The time may be different on regular cookie sheets.

Cool on wire racks. When cool, frost with frosting of your choice. Makes 3 dozen cookies.

Whoopie-pie Filling

4 oz cream cheese, at room temperature

6 TBS butter, softened

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

1 1/2 c. powdered sugar

I sprinkled some ground cinnamon in mine

Beat cream cheese, butter and vanilla in small mixer bowl on medium speed until fluffy. Gradually beat in powdered sugar until light and fluffy.

Spread a heaping teaspoon of filling onto bottom of one cookie, top with another cookie to make a sandwich. Store in covered container in refrigerator.

Good Luck (tear)~Happy Eating (tear)~Enjoy