Mrs. Fields Pumpkin Harvest Cookies

By srumbel

You're not in the mood for pumpkin pie, but you want to bake something with pumpkin in it for the holidays. Give this clone of the seasonal Mrs. Fields favorite a shot. You'll use pure canned pumpkin, plus there are pecans in there and chunks of white chocolate that can be chopped up from bars. Pull the cookies out when they're still soft in the middle and just slightly browned around the edges, and you'll produce 2 dozen perfectly baked pumpkin-pumped happy pucks.
from topsecretsrecipes.com

Ingredients

• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
• 2 cups packed dark brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup canned pumpkin (pure pumpkin)
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 1/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
• 12 ounces white chocolate chunks
• 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans

Preparation

Step 1

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, sugar, egg, and vanilla with an electric mixer. Add the pumpkin and mix well.

2. In a separate bowl, stir together the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and spices.

3. Combine the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients and mix well.

4. Add the white chocolate and pecans and stir until combined.

5. Measure 1/4 cup portions 2 inches apart onto baking sheets that are lined with parchment paper or other nonstick material (such as a silicone mat or Release foil). Bake the cookies for 14 to 16 minutes, or until they are just beginning to brown slightly around the edges. The cookies will seem undercooked when they come out, but when cooled, they will be crispy around the edges and soft in the center.

Makes 2 dozen cookies.


I think these may be the best cookies I've ever made. I did adjust the recipe a bit for the more calorie conscious members of my family. I substituted one of the sticks of butter with a half cup of unsweetened applesauce and used only 1/2 bag each of white choco chips and pecan bits and they came out so delicious. Moist, spicy. I'm making a second batch right now for my husband's friends. By Thanksgiving, I'll most likely have the recipe memorized.