Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

When I was little, my Grandma Stejer would mail us a package of cookies every Christmas.   Getting a box of homemade cookies in the mail was such a treat.  We savored each cookie, rationing them out to last as long as possible.  When I had my boys, she continued to mail cookies to them. Each boy would choose the two cookies he wanted that evening to eat with their hot chocolate.  It is a tradition I miss, getting the box of unknown cookies, selecting the cookies for the evening, and enjoying them with a hot cup of tea or hot chocolate.

Reindeer on the rooftop, created by the blond boy when he was little.

I found a way to replicate that excitement of cookies coming in the mail, The Great Food Blogger Cookie Swap.  You make cookies for three others and you get cookies from three people.  They are fun to get in the mail, a new taste to try, and getting to know a new blog. Here is the info, from the horse's mouth, so to speak:

The Great Food Blogger Cookie Swap brings together food bloggers from around the world in celebration of all things scrumptious. The premise is this: sign up. Receive the addresses of three other food bloggers. Send each of them one dozen delicious homemade cookies. Receive three different boxes of scrumptious cookies from other bloggers. Eat them all yourself (or, you know, share. If you want. No judgement either way.) Post your cookie recipe on your blog. See everyone else’s cookie recipes. Salivate. Get lots of great ideas for next year's cookie swap. Rinse and repeat.
This year we are even more excited to be partnering with Cookies for Kids' Cancer, a national non-profit organization committed to funding new therapies used in the fight against pediatric cancer, which claims the lives of more children in the US than any other disease. By participating in this cookie swap you are not only contributing to the food blogger community, but also supporting a great cause.
I chose these cookies for the Great Cookie Exchange this year.  They travel well, and they freeze well also, important for anything that is leaving Alaska.  I'll send these cookies to my three cookie exchange matches and to the blond boy.

I've been making these cookies for over 20 years.  I got the recipe from a friend who watched the boys when they were babies.  This is the one cookie the boys always ask for when I'm sending a box or when they are coming home (Did you know Zach and Mason are coming home for Christmas?)

Since the boys are coming home this year, I have lots of these to make.  They are a soft, cake-like cookie full of pumpkin goodness, spices and chocolate chips.  This makes a big batch, but don't worry, they will all be gone in a flash.

I had fun baking, packaging, and having my husband mail my three boxes, and I loved getting my cookies in the mail.

Cookies packed up and ready to get mailed.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
from my friend Kathy

4 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups old fashioned rolled oats
2 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cup butter, softened
2 cups backed light brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1 15 oz. can pure pumpkin puree
1 1/2 cups chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350ºF.
Cream butter with sugars, add egg, vanilla, and pumpkin.

Mix dry ingredients together, add to pumpkin mixture,  mix well.  Add chocolate chips.

Lightly grease cookie sheets or line with parchment paper.  Scoop tablespoons full, leaving 2" between cookies.  Bake 12-15 minutes until golden brown.

Makes about 8 doz. cookies

My first box of cookies from The Corner Kitchen

Snickerdoodles with white chocolate chunks.  Delicious!

December 12, 2012     Daylight 3 hours, 53 minutes, 31 seconds     Temp. H 19 /L 0 ºF