Take A Bite Of: The best pumpkin chocolate chip cookie. Ever.

Happy October. Let me be the first to say, I love fall. And bring on the pumpkin. Since you have clearly already seen the pumpkins out, why not start on your fall baking? This is one of my favorite recipes for this time of year. Or for all year. Or what I like to call yum, yum, give me some. So I must share it again. And not sure about pumpkin and chocolate chip together? Don't be afraid. These are fantastic. And perfect for sharing (or eating them yourself.) From my kitchen to yours, enjoy every bite.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies (Iced)

Ingredients:

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 can (15 oz.) Libby's 100% Pure Pumpkin
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 12-oz. pkg. Chocolate Chips Cookies

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375° F. Grease baking sheets.

Combine flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, baking soda and salt in medium bowl. Beat butter and sugar in large mixer bowl until creamy. Beat in pumpkin, eggs and vanilla extract. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto prepared baking sheets.

Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely. Drizzle or spread with Vanilla Glaze.

FOR VANILLA GLAZE:Combine 1 cup powdered sugar, 1 to 1 1/2 tablespoons milk and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract in small bowl; mix well.

Take A Bite Of: Cookie Dough Brownies

In my tip-toeing through the BlogTulips last week, I came upon a dessert that I just craved immediately. AND will be making for a party tomorrow.

From the fabulous Rhiannon (aka Little Ms Baker) at Pink Sugar Desserts is this combination of two of my favorite treats: Brownies and Chocolate Chip Cookies. And it might be one of the easiest you will ever make because there are two ingredients. Now, normally, I am a girl who likes it "from scratch" but I will cheat on this...because cheating never felt so good.

This photo and recipe belong to Pink Sugar so go and visit her site, for more visual baked goodness.
Two ingredients: Cookie Dough and Brownie Mix. Thank you Betty Crocker and Pillsbury for making my life so tasty. To make this deliciousness, all you have to do is prepare the brownie batter according to the box and then pour into a 9 x 9 greased pan.

Scoop spoonfuls of cookie dough and press into the brownie batter until there seems to be a even ratio of cookie dough to brownie batter. Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees F for 35-40 minutes or until the tops of the cookie dough is nice and brown. Remove from oven and then let cool.

For the chocolate ganache topping:

Melt 1 1/2 cups of chocolate chips
3/4 cups of whipping cream
5 tbsp of butter in a saucepan over low heat until the chocolate chips are smooth and melted.

Pour over the brownies and then put in the freezer (if you're not patient enough like me to wait for the fridge to cool these babies off) until set, about 45-60 minutes. Cut into pieces and pig out, I mean, enjoy.

Buon Apetito!!!