"Pumpkin spice" is synonymous with the coming of fall. In fact, places like Starbucks have almost trademarked it with their popular PSL drink (Shame on you if you don't know that PSL stands for pumpkin spice latte!). Every year around Halloween, I like to pull out my own recipe for a fall favorite...chocolate chip pumpkin spice cookies! It's a very simple recipe and the baking time is less than 15 minutes. Whether you're looking to gorge on the cookies yourself or share them with your friends at a Halloween house party, these cookies are a great way to get into the fall festivities.

Ingredients (makes about 30 cookies):
1/2 cup oil
1.5 cups sugar
1 egg
1.5 teaspoons vanilla essence
2.5 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1 teaspoon salt
1 15-oz can can of pumpkin puree
Semisweet chocolate chips to taste
Chopped walnuts to taste


Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 F. Beat oil and sugar in a mixing bowl, and then add the egg and vanilla essence. Sift the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, spices, and salt together. Then add to the mixing bowl that contains the sugar-oil mixture. Alternate adding the flour mix with the pumpkin puree, beating well after each addition. Fold in chocolate chips and nuts. Drop teaspoonfuls of the batter onto greased cookie sheets. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown. Enjoy with a hot drink like cider or coffee :)