Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

by Dorothy Reinhold on September 28, 2020


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Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies are tall, airy, lightly spiced and almost cakey. They keep their shape during baking and freeze well — a perfect fall cookie!

When I asked my daughter in 6th grade what she wanted for Thanksgiving dessert, she said, without missing a beat, “Bonny’s Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies.”

What, no pumpkin pie? Nope, it had to be these cookies, which she had tasted each year when her friend’s mom brought them to the classroom for either the Halloween or Thanksgiving festivities (or both!).

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies on a white plate on an orange napkinSorry to say, that year I stubbornly baked a pie instead of giving her what she asked for. Am I forgiven yet?

But after I pulled a batch of these out of the oven the other day, I understood what all the fuss was about. Tall, airy, lightly spiced and almost cakey in consistency, these cookies shout fall.

The backstory for these Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Bonny Bolander – she of the cookies – was happy to share the recipe, and it comes with a wonderful story!

Bonny BolanderIn Kindergarten, many years ago in Centerville, Utah, Bonny was assigned to bring an egg to class as her part of the cookie dough their class was making. In return, she got to bring two baked cookies home to her mom and brother (eventually there would be five siblings). She recalled her mom cut up those cookies so all three could have a taste, and immediately said, “We’re making these cookies!” They were that good.

Luckily, the teacher had sent home a mimeographed copy of the recipe, which Bonny’s mom still has. The recipe is now a family legend. (Note to Bonny’s mom: please frame this mimeo recipe right now!)  And to my readers younger than 50, a mimeograph was a stencil duplicator back in the day, used to print small quantities in offices and for classroom materials. 

Bolander Family of Malibu on bikesThese days, Bonny makes these cookies for her own family – husband Bruce and four girls. (Picture circa 2012…they’re grown up now!)

There are families all over our town here who will be happy to have this recipe because their kids will recognize the cookies from school.

And Bonny is delighted to share it with all of you today. Perhaps you’ll love it as much as we all do!

4 Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies on a square white plateAdvice from Bonny for good results

  • Bonny advises using shortening. “Shortening makes them light and moist. Butter might be better for the body but it gives a different flavor and effect.”
  • “I think it’s best to double the recipe — then you can use a whole can of pumpkin (the 15-ounce can).
  • “I like them slightly under baked; they are softer and moister.”
  • “They freeze beautifully.”

4 Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies on a white plate with 2 small pumpkins to the side

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Yield: About 50 cookies

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies are tall, airy, lightly spiced and almost cakey, They keep their shape during baking and freeze well — a perfect fall cookie!

Ingredients

  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup shortening (see note in Advice section)
  • 1 egg
  • 1 cup pumpkin puree
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups chocolate chips (she prefers more; I prefer 1 1/4-1 1/3 cups)
  • Decoration: See note below in recipe*

Directions

  1. Heat oven to 350F degrees.
  2. Mix all ingredients. Scoop dough onto baking sheets lined with parchment paper (for easy cleanup). (Dorothy’s note: I used a cookie scoop so they were uniform in shape. They will retain their shape and won’t spread while baking, so you can put them rather close together on the cookie sheet.)
  3. *Bonny bakes these plain. I wanted to fancy them up a tad so I sprinkled some with chopped toasted pecans, some with coarse sugar crystals and some with orange sprinkles before baking, which you can see in the photos. They are also fine and dandy plain!
  4. Bake for 9-10 minutes. (Dorothy’s note: I preferred them baked for 11-12 minutes. Suit yourself!)
  5. Makes 50 cookies.

Notes

Recipe source: Bonny Bolander of Malibu, California

Advice from Bonny --Bonny advises using shortening. “Shortening makes them light and moist. Butter might be better for the body but it gives a different flavor and effect.” --“I think it’s best to double the recipe — then you can use a whole can of pumpkin (the 15-ounce can). --“I like them slightly under baked; they are softer and moister.” --“They freeze beautifully.”

https://www.shockinglydelicious.com/pumpkin-chocolate-chip-cookies/

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2 photos of Pumpkin Chocolate Chip in a collage

This recipe was originally published Oct. 22, 2012. The post has been refreshed, improved and republished today. 

{ 24 comments… read them below or add one }

Lisa Kerhin October 4, 2020 at 8:39 am

Pumpkin and Chocolate…the best combination

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Anne Lawton October 4, 2020 at 7:26 am

I can’t ever say no to a cookie, these look great!

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Suzy October 2, 2020 at 6:59 pm

The best cookies! The chocolate goes so well with the pumpkin!

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Amy (Savory Moments) September 29, 2020 at 12:16 pm

You can’t go wrong with pumpkin cookies – especially with some chocolate chips. Yummy!

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Beti | easyweeknightrecipes September 29, 2020 at 9:01 am

My kids would love these pumpkin chocolate chip cookies!! The perfect fall treat!

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katerina @ diethood.com September 29, 2020 at 9:01 am

Yes, please!! These pumpkin chocolate chip cookies are amazing!! YUM!

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Kimberly September 29, 2020 at 8:10 am

Great back story and these cookies look and sound delish, can’t wait to try them!

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Beth September 29, 2020 at 6:41 am

These are so delicious and yummy! We love these cookies! I will definitely be making these again!

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KGL Staff September 29, 2020 at 2:37 am

Our kids love helping make these for the holidays! They taste so good too! This looks absolutely delicious! Thank you for you recipes!

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Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert September 28, 2020 at 7:39 pm

These Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies are mouth watering!

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Hezzi-D September 28, 2020 at 5:46 pm

This is always one of my favorite fall cookies! SO fun!

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Colleen - Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck September 28, 2020 at 5:39 pm

I love that these use shortening! Sounds like a great pumpkin cookie recipe! Totally worth trying!

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Kim September 28, 2020 at 3:33 pm

I’m always open to more pumpkin cookie recipes! I’ve never tried shortening.

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Karen September 28, 2020 at 3:19 pm

These do look good and I love the story. Are you forgiven? =)

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Dorothy Reinhold September 29, 2020 at 1:21 pm

Karen,
I do think so!

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facebook_lisa.lytlemorehouse November 10, 2012 at 10:03 am

Pumpkin is my favorite and this recipe looked great so I thought I’d pass it on….

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grannybabs October 27, 2012 at 7:51 pm

I am Bonny’s mom – and the cookies are almost legendary – I bake large batches and give them away still – otherwise I would eat them!! It ‘s a special part of our family lore!!

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SallyBR October 23, 2012 at 7:37 am

Very interesting recipe! I love the fact that they are cakey, it’s my favorite type of cookie, although I do like some lacy cookies that are thin and hard. I am easy to please, you know… 🙂

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Dorothy October 23, 2012 at 9:25 am

SallyBR,
I agree on all points! Love cakey cookies, love lacey cookies, love crispy cookies, love soft cookies, chewy cookies….

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Connie Kaiser October 23, 2012 at 7:19 am

Perfect for a rainy morning like today!

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Dorothy October 23, 2012 at 9:25 am

Connie,
Yes! They smell great while they are baking, too. Always a plus.

Reply

Dorothy October 23, 2012 at 11:12 am

Kelli,
I was so happy to meet you IRL too! What fun!

Reply

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