Pumpkin Ginger Cookies

One of the delights of living in Maine again is that we are lucky enough to live near many of our good friends. Not just any good friends, but friends we can invite for dinner at the last minute. If you ask me, this might be the best kind of get together. The kind that happens with some spontaneity, not too much worry, and leaves your plates scraped clean and filled with gratitude for this unexpected gathering.

We are entering a time of year full of gatherings, most of which require planning a few days or weeks ahead. It is, of course, a busy time on top of the busy times that happen every other day of the year. Maybe it is because schedules don't often align without a lot of planning that it feels magical to share a good meal on a Tuesday or Sunday evening. We pull the kitchen table out from the wall and squeeze a few extra chairs around it or sit on the living room floor and make trips back into the kitchen for seconds. Its not too different from our usual weeknight family dinners but sharing food with friends makes it special.

Sometimes I like to throw together a quick dessert and these pumpkin ginger cookies are just right this time of year. I created the recipe when I wanted a ginger cookie but didn't have any molasses in my cupboard.

Pumpkin Ginger Cookies
For a bit more "pumpkin spice" you could also add a 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg and cloves.

2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder 
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
4 ounces/1 stick unsalted butter
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1 cup cooked pumpkin or butternut squash
1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger

Preheat the oven the 350. Combine flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon in a small bowl. Using an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar until combined. Add the egg, pumpkin, and ginger and beat until everything is incorporated. Add the flour and mix to form a smooth, stiff dough. Roll 2 tablespoons of dough into a ball and place on a baking sheet, repeating until all the dough is used. Bake for 12-15 minutes.

Makes about 24 cookies.

P.S. Pumpkin Cake with Ginger Cream Cheese Frosting, Pumpkin Chocolate Tart, Pumpkin Ice Cream.