2 for 1!

I've promised you one recipe and you're getting two! :)  

The first one is more of a... recovery method, if you will. If at any point you find yourself throwing a party for seven (awesome) giggly second-grade girls, you will need this. When the front door closes after the last goodbye and the cupcake crumbs are swept and the pizza boxes thrown out, here's what you do:

1. Make up something for your children to do that will give you ten uninterrupted minutes in the kitchen. 

2. Get out a bowl, and double-check to make sure you are truly alone.

3. Enjoy the quiet.

4. Break a handful of pecans into the bowl. Follow with marshmallows.

5. Spoon a giant glob of leftover chocolate frosting on top.

6. Roll the glob around until it looks like a mushy, delicious porcupine.

7. Sink to the floor of the kitchen and eat. Do not share.

8. Repeat as necessary or until the kids find you.

Recipe number two is a little more sophisticated (and also less clandestine). Enjoy.

GREAT PUMPKIN! COOKIES

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine:

2 c. flour

1 1/3 c. quick or old-fashioned oats

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. salt

In a separate bowl, beat until creamy:

1 c. butter or margarine, softened

1 c. sugar

1 c. packed brown sugar

Beat in:

1 c. canned pumpkin

1 egg

1 tsp. vanilla

Gradually beat in flour mixture.  Stir in:

3/4 c. chopped nuts (pecans!)

1 c. chocolate chips (okay, so the original calls for 3/4 c. raisins instead, but this is so much better...)

Drop dough by 1/8 - 1/4 c. spoonfuls onto a greased or lined baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes or until cookies are firm and lightly browned. Let stand for 2 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool.

Decorate with your favorite icing. (I kinda like the cookie icing sold in tubes that dries hard and smooth. Great for transporting. If you're sharing, that is.)