My freshman year in college, I had the worst roommate in the history of roommates. I've never loathed or desperately wanted to get in an all-out physical brawl with someone more than this chick. And I'm a totally nice, peaceful person. I swear. We passive-aggressively tortured each other for a solid year—the hate in that dorm room was so palpable that my friends wouldn't even visit. I'm clenching my fists and squinting my eyes just thinking about it...[deep breath] oh dearie, where was I?
The one thing I remember about that psycho, that I always thought was so weird and typical! of her, was that she loved pumpkin chocolate chip cookies. At the time I thought, Who the hell likes pumpkin cookies? The antichrist, that's who. Her mom would send care packages with piles of them tucked perfectly in brand-new tupperware with a handwritten note. Then she'd slowly nibble on them, plucking at her laptop keyboard while I death-stared her from across the room.
But I have to hand it to that nutjob, she actually had one legit cool factor going for her that I never realized until now. Pumpkin chocolate chip cookies are the best thing that have happened to me since fried bananas and anyone with a proper tastebud in their mouth agrees. I'm still working on pumpkin pie (I know, friends, I know) but so far pumpkin spice bread, muffins, lattes, and cookies all fit nicely into my category of addiction.
Not all of us will get there, not all of us will give that bright orange substance a chance. My husband (if I had known pre-wedding...!) gagged when I gave him a force-feeding yesterday. He's slowly converting to an all-things-cozy lover so in good time, I'm sure. He's just playing hard to get.
I should warn you that these cookies are in a league of their own. More bread-like and cakey, uber moist and easily adaptable. You can change up the chips to your preference, add nuts like I did, all the good stuff.
Hot off the baking sheet, they are glorious. With iced milk or vanilla ice cream, you can't go wrong. Alongside tea or coffee, they are the supreme afternoon treat on a blustery autumn day. I've got these ready at hand for the rain that starts this week...
...and 7-8 seconds in the microwave, with that seductive spice smell and pillowy-soft texture, I'm all set.
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
Adapted from Joy the Baker
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (freshly grated if you have it)
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
2 eggs
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup canola or corn oil
1 1/2 cups canned pumpkin
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup chocolate chips
3/4 chopped walnuts (optional)
1. Position a rack in the middle of the oven. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and butter the paper.
2. Stir the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and spices together in a medium bowl and set aside.
3. In a large bowl using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the eggs and sugar until smooth and lightened in color, about 1 minute. Stop the mixer and scrape down the sides as needed. On low speed, mix the oil, pumpkin, and vanilla until blended. Mix the flour mixture to incorporate it. Stir in the chips and nuts by hand.
4. Scoop mounds of the dough onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing the cookies at least 2 1/2-inches apart. About 1/4-cup per scoop.
5. Bake the cookies one sheet at a time until the tops feel firm and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out dry, about 15 minutes. Let them cool on the sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a rack to cool completely.
seriously just ate one of these for breakfast this morning.
Posted by: jen | October 12, 2009 at 02:09 PM
can't wait to make! pumpkin cookies and milk in front of the fire? hahaha... stop!
Posted by: saskatch | October 12, 2009 at 04:20 PM
Mm, these look delicious! I recently made some banana bread cookies and was impressed with how yummy those were. I'll have to try the pumpkin cookies next.
Loved the story about your roommate! I cracked up picturing you glaring at her while she savored her homemade pumpkin cookies!
Posted by: Karly | October 13, 2009 at 11:18 AM
That is seriously a great story. It's so devastating when you meet psychos because as non-psychos we end up questioning how nice a person we are that we totally can't stand another person :) At least she had a part in bringing delicious cookies into your life! Good luck converting the hubby :)
Posted by: Nicole | October 13, 2009 at 01:15 PM
Mmm.... pumpkin chocolate chip cookies and a glass of iced milk??? People look at me nuts when I say iced milk... Especially the future Mr. Man. I'll have to work on him like you are working on yours... :)
Posted by: Niki | October 14, 2009 at 06:15 AM
Your cookies look so beautiful! I love the color. I definitely want to try out pumpkin cookies. Must make this weekend!
Posted by: kirbie | October 14, 2009 at 05:00 PM
What a wonderful idea!
This is the perfect season for me to try these cookies out!
Posted by: Danielle | October 14, 2009 at 07:28 PM
This blog is getting more interesting by the post. Fact: I just learned the antechrist's favourite biscuits were pumpkin and chocolate chips.
I know there's a reason I keep coming back!
Posted by: Colloquial Cook | October 15, 2009 at 04:14 AM
I just made these last night, I gobbled up so many of them...I just couldn't stop. My brother came over this morning and helped me finish off the rest he kept saying "I don't like cakey cookies" as he put "just one more" in his mouth. I made half the dough last night, and I just baked the rest. I have been looking for an excuse to talk to my cute neighbor, and I think these are perfect, so I am going to bring him some right now! Thank you so much!
Posted by: Lauren | October 15, 2009 at 03:32 PM
Wow, those cookies look amazing! Going to try and make them this weekend. Great story about the roommate, I'm guessing you haven't friended her on facebook.
Posted by: Jen | October 15, 2009 at 08:34 PM
lol you're hilarious!
these cookies look divine! I'm going to give them a try this weekend! thanks for the recipe.
Posted by: Judy | October 16, 2009 at 08:57 AM
jen - You know what's up! Great way to start the day.
saskatch - A fire and iced milk if you're lucky!
Karly - Ooh, banana bread cookies? That sounds incroyable.
Nicole - I know! I feel bad admitting my evil thoughts but this girl was naughty by nature. Not cool.
Niki - People think I'm nuts with iced milk too. They haven't been schooled yet, obviously.
kirbie - Do it! It's a fall must. Btw, love your name ;)
Danielle - It really is, pumpkins galore.
Colloquial Cook - Give me a drink and I'll give you some more facts about that one. Sheesh.
Lauren - Good luck! WIth these babies you'll have him swooning and following you home. Well, didn't work on my husband but let me know how it goes!
jen - Not friends on FB no. Not even the fake-friends-because-I-just-want-to-stalk-you way. No sir!
Judy - Haha, thanks. Definitely give them a try!
Posted by: Deelish Dish | October 16, 2009 at 11:59 AM
Love the name, the color and everything about this recipe!!
Posted by: noble pig | October 18, 2009 at 07:44 AM
My first college room mate stole the toilet paper that we bought together! She kept the package locked in her car and had one roll that she would hide on her side of the room. What a nut!
Posted by: Heather | October 18, 2009 at 12:42 PM
Oh I'm going to make these beautiful cookies for Thanksgiving. Love the bright orange color. Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Jackie at PhamFatale.com | October 19, 2009 at 12:01 AM
thank you! they're fantastic.
Posted by: teagan | October 20, 2009 at 01:09 PM
I love this post and used it on my blog, Roommate Diaries.
Let me know if that's not okay. In the meantime, I'll be making some delicious cookies and watching out for the roommate.
Cheers!
Posted by: Nico | November 18, 2009 at 05:15 PM
I wanted to let you know that I loved your post and made the cookies, with a few modifications. I thought they were great even if I didn't include the chocolate chips. :)
http://deelishdish.typepad.com/deelish_dish/2009/10/pumpkin-chocolate-chip-cookies-recipe.html
Posted by: saveur | December 06, 2009 at 05:16 PM
Of course, it only works if I include the link to my own post, haha.
http://tastespace.wordpress.com/2009/12/06/super-soft-pumpkin-cookies-with-cranberries-walnuts-and-orange-zest/
Posted by: saveur | December 06, 2009 at 05:18 PM
Baked them this morning with half all-purpose and half buckwheat flour. Also used apple sauce to substitute for half of the oil and added honey.
They are marvelous and I'm so happy to share them!!!
Thank you!
Funny too, my roommate is frighteningly similar to the one you had. All I have ever seen her eat are the cookies her mother sends in giant postal boxes (which then pile up in our room...).
Posted by: JP | December 17, 2009 at 10:07 AM
They look delicious and easy to make as i can see and the best part is that the preparation are on the blog so use this knowledge to make great cookies at home and check for you're self this great cookies.
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