Amazing Pumpkin Cookies

This has become my family's most favorite pumpkin recipe.  These cookies are soft and melt in your mouth.  They are absolutely delicious, and you MUST make them!

Soft Pumpkin Cookies with Brown Sugar Frosting

Cookie dough

2 cups flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. cinnamon

½ tsp. salt

½ cup chopped nuts (optional)

1 cup shortening

1 cup sugar

1 cup pumpkin puree

1 egg

1 tsp. vanilla

In a large mixing bowl beat together sugar and shortening until light and fluffy.  Add pumpkin, egg, and vanilla.  Beat well.  Add dry ingredients and beat on low until blended.  Stir in nuts.  Drop by tablespoonful onto ungreased cookie sheet.  Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until lightly golden on top.  Cool on pan one minute the remove to a cooling rack to cool completely.  Yield:  3 to 4 dozen cookies.

Frosting

3 Tablespoons butter

½ cup brown sugar, packed

¼ cup milk

¾ tsp. vanilla

1 cup powdered sugar

In a medium saucepan melt together butter, brown sugar, and milk over medium low heat.  Bring to a boil, stirring constantly.  Boil gently for 2 minutes and remove from heat.  Cool completely.  Stir in vanilla and powdered sugar to make a thin frosting.  If too thin, add additional powdered sugar to yield a spreading consistency.  Spread on cooled cookies.  If desired, top with chopped nuts or fall-themed sprinkles! 

I baked these sweet treats yesterday for the Desserts For The Deserving campaign.  Oh, what a blessing it is to participate, and to (hopefully) bring some joy to others!    

The cookies were baked and packaged yesterday and are on their way to West Yellowstone, MT.  I sure hope the recipient enjoys them as much as my family does!