fall cookies

robyn has been hinting that she would like the recipe for the cookies we made while she was visiting, so i thought that would be my next post. they're based on this iced pumpkin cookie recipe and this cream cheese frosting recipe. definitely a dangerous combination and should only be made if you have lots of people to share with!

pumpkin cookies with maple cinnamon cream cheese frosting

• 2 1/2 c. all purpose flour
• 1 t. baking powder
• 1 t. baking soda
• 2 t. ground cinnamon
• 1/2 t. ground nutmeg
• 1/2 t. ground cloves
• 1/2 t. salt
• 1/2 c. butter, softened
• 3/4 c. white sugar
• 3/4 c. brown sugar
• 1 c. pumpkin puree
• 1 egg
• 1 t. vanilla extract
• 1/2 c. pecans, chopped

• 1 package cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 c. butter, softened
• 2 c. sifted powdered sugar
• about 1 t. maple flavor
• cinnamon to taste
• milk to thin
• 1/2 c. pecans, chopped

1. preheat oven to 350 degrees f. combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ground cloves, and salt; set aside.
2. in a medium bowl, cream together the 1/2 cup of butter and the white and brown sugars. add pumpkin, egg, and 1 t. vanilla, beat until creamy. mix in dry ingredients. mix in pecans. drop on cookie sheet by tablespoonfuls; flatten slightly.
3. bake for 15 to 20 minutes in the preheated oven. cool cookies, then top with frosting and sprinkle with chopped pecans.
4. frosting: in a medium bowl, cream together cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy. mix in the maple, then gradually stir in confectioner's sugar. add cinnamon to taste. a little milk can be used to thin the frosting for easier spreading.

this frosting is also yummy on pumpkin bread or sweet potato bread.
photos by robyn!