Pumpkin Cranberry Cookies

These cookies are the definition of October!

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 egg
1 cup pumpkin puree
2 1/4 cups all purpose flour (I usually substitute half whole wheat flour, no real reason) Meg-that's 2 cups, plus another 1/4 cup :)
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup cranberries (or you can substitute chocolate chips)
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tbsp orange zest
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)




Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

2. In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.


3. Beat in vanilla, egg and pumpkin.

4. Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Stir into mixture until well blended.


5. Cut the cranberries in half ( kind of a PITA, but worth it!) and stir into mixture along with the orange zest and walnuts (if using).

6. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto cookie sheet.


7. Bake for 10-12 minutes.


8. Let stand on cookie sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to cooling rack.


9. Enjoy! nom nom nom