Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Cookies :)

PUMPKIN SNICKERDOODLE COOKIES!

Via: Pinterest, via: Annies Eats

INGREDIENTS: For the cookies:
3¾ cups all-purpose flour
1½ tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. salt
½ tsp. ground cinnamon
¼ tsp. ground nutmeg ( We left this out, too)
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
½ cup light brown sugar
¾ cup pumpkin puree ( I modified this and used 1 heaping cup for extra moistness and pumpkin flavor!)
1 large egg
2 tsp. vanilla extract

For the coating:
½ cup granulated sugar
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
½ tsp. ground ginger (We did not have this, so I left it out-still tasted delicious!)
Dash of allspice

DIRECTIONS:
In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.  Whisk to blend and set aside.  In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat together the butter and sugars on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, 2-3 minutes.  Blend in the pumpkin puree.  Beat in the egg and vanilla until incorporated.  With the mixer on low speed add in the dry ingredients and mix just until incorporated.  Cover and chill the dough for at least 1 hour (I only chilled for 10-15 min, and then while I had cookies baking I had the dough in the refrigerator, too).

Preheat the oven to 350˚ F.   Combine the sugar and spices for the coating in a bowl and mix to blend.  Scoop the dough (about 2½ tablespoons) and roll into a ball.  Coat the dough ball in the sugar-spice mixture and place on the prepared baking sheet.  Repeat with the remaining dough to fill the sheets, spacing the dough balls 2-3 inches apart.  Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes, or until just set and baked through.  Let cool on the baking sheets about 5 minutes, and then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.  Repeat with the remaining dough.  

We baked these cookies this weekend and they were delicious and perfect for the cooler fall weather we are having in Indiana right now! The hubs helped me bake them and we had a great time working in the kitchen together, cooking with your spouse is fun! These cookies were inspired by Pinterest, but I did modify the recipe a little bit. These cookies are the perfect combination of tradition snickerdoodle, with a hint of pumpkin flavor. And you know what? They are delicious with a warm cup of tea! Let me know if you give them a try!