Yummy Pumpkin Softies

Chef #1365024's Note:

For dessert, snacks or even breakfast...these pumpkin cookies offer a delicious way to sneak in veggies. Made with canned pumpkin, a single cookie is an excellent source of vitamin A. As a snack, spoon frozen yogurt between two softies for a delicious frozen desert "sandwich”!

• Total Time: 50 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 42

• 1 1/2 cups firmly packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 (15 ounce) can solid-pack pumpkin
• 2 large eggs, slightly beaten
• 2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• nonstick cooking spray

Optional garnishes

• raisins, dried cranberries, sliced or slivered almonds, peanuts, chopped dried plums or apricot

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F In a large mixing bowl, beat brown sugar and butter until creamy. Add pumpkin and eggs; beat well. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, salt and nutmeg; stir into pumpkin mixture, mixing until dry ingredients are moistened. Lightly spray 2 baking sheets with cooking spray. Drop dough onto prepared pans by rounded measuring tablespoonfuls. If desired, smooth tops of the dough with the back of a spoon and decorate with dried fruits or nuts. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes or until bottoms are golden brown. Remove to wire racks; cool completely.