Pumpkin Cookies

Makes 3 1/2 doz.

1 c. shortening
1 c. sugar
1. c. pumpkin (canned or fresh)
2 c. flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2  to 1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg (opt)
1/4 tsp allspice (opt)
1 c. chocolate chips

Cream shortening and sugar. Add pumpkin, egg and vanilla. Beat well. Add sifted dry ingredients. Stir in chocolate chips. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto greased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 for 10-12 mins.

Banana Puffs

Makes 3-4 doz.

3 c. flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice (or 1/2 tsp. cinnamon, 1/4 tsp. ginger, 1/4 tsp. cloves)
1/2 tsp. salt
3/4 c. (1 1/2 cubes) butter
1 c. brown sugar
1 egg
1 c. (2 med) bananas, mashed
1 tsp. vanilla
1 c. chocolate chips

Cream together butter and sugar until fluffy. Beat in egg, bananas and vanilla. Sift dry ingredients together. Stir in half of the flour mixture until well blended. Add rest of the flour mixture; blend. Stir in chocolate chips. Drop by rounded teaspoons onto lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 for 10 mins or until firm. Remove from sheets to cool completely.

Unbaked Cookies

1/2 c. milk
2 c. sugar
3 rounded tbsp. cocoa
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 c. (1 cube) butter
3 c. quick oats
1 tsp. vanilla

1. c. coconut (optional)
1. c. raisins (optional)

Combine milk, sugar, cocoa, salt and butter. Boil for 1 to 2 minutes only, at a med boil. Remove from heat. Stir in oats and vanilla. Let stand for 1-5 minutes (less if they are taking shape, more if runny). Spoon out on wax paper and let stand until dry.

Variations: 1/2 c. peanut butter can be added to the first mixture and boiled. For butterscotch, omit the cocoa and substitute brown sugar.

Mrs. Field Cookies

Makes 7 dozen.

1 lb. (2 cups) real butter
1 1/2 c. sugar
2 c. brown sugar

Beat well for 10 minutes.

Add 3 eggs. Beat well.

Add 2 tsp. vanilla. Beat.

Sift together:
   6 c. flour (+ 1 c. for high altitude)
   1 1/2 tsp. salt
   1 1/2 tsp. baking soda

Add dry ingredients to creamed mixture. Beat for 3 more minutes.

Add 4 cups milk (or semi-sweet) chocolate chips.

Bake at 350 for 7 minutes, on ungreased cookie sheet. Let cool on sheet for 5 minutes before removing.

Variation: Add 3 cups chocolate chips and 2 cups nuts. OR 3 cups raisins, 2 cups nuts and 1 1/2 cups oatmeal. Bake at 350 for 8-10 mins. Let cool on sheet for 5 minutes before removing.