The pumpkin recipe list

I am a freak for all desserts with pumpkin flavor! Need a pumpkin fix? Read on!

Pumpkin pie dip
Very easy and cheap to make, addictive, seasonal, yummy treat!

1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese- softened as much as possible

2 cups powdered sugar

1 (15 oz.) can pumpkin pie filling

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp. ground ginger

garnishes- cinnamon sticks

Beat cream cheese and sugar at medium speed with electric mixer until smooth. NOTE: This may take a while. Add pie filling, 1 t. cinnamon and ginger, beating well for as long as necessary. Cover and chill 8 hours. Serve with gingersnap cookies, apples, and pear slices. Prep- 5 min. Chill 8 hours.

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Pumpkin Pie Bars

Cold and delicious! The tray will be empty by the end of the night. By the way, I know there are quite a few ingredients, but this is so simple to make!

2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup apple juice
1 can (15 oz) pumpkin (NOT pumpkin pie mix)
2 eggs
Frosting- cream cheese frosting

Heat oven to 350. Grease 15 x 10 x 1 inch pan. Beat bar ingredients at low speed. Spread batter in pan. Bake 20 to 30 minutes. Cool completely (1 hour).

Frost- refrigerate until set- about 30 minutes. Store in the refrigerator.

Cut into 8 rows by 6 rows. 110 calories. 45 fat.

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Pumpkin Chocolate Chunk Cookies
I haven't made these cookies myself yet, but a colleague swears by this recipe!

* 2 1/2 cups flour
* 1 tsp. salt
* 1 tsp. baking soda
* 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
* 1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
* 1/2 tsp. ground clove
* 1 pinch of ground ginger
* 1 stick butter, room temperature
* 1 cup brown sugar
* 1/2 cup sugar
* 1 egg, room temperature (??- this one was weird to me... why leave the egg out so long?)
* 15 oz. can of pure pumpkin
* 1 tsp. vanilla
* 1 1/2 cup of milk chocolate chips (or chunks from a candy bar, or butterscotch chips, or white chocolate chips)

Directions:
1. Pre-heat oven to 375
2. Sift together in a small bowl: flour, salt, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, and ginger
3. In a large mixer bowl, beat together butter, brown sugar, and regular sugar
4. Add pumpkin and vanilla and mix until incorporated
5. Add egg
6. Beat in flour mixture gradually
7. Stir in chocolate chips/ chunks
8. Drop rounded spoonfuls onto baking sheet that has been greased and floured
9. Back for 13-15 minutes. Remove from oven and let sit for 2-5 minutes. Then, move cookies to a wire rack to cool.

Photos courtesy of here, here, here, and here.

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Lastly, if you aren't into baking, but you're still craving pumpkin flavor, I have two more options for you:

Pumpkin Sammies: Buy Ben & Jerry's pumpkin cheesecake ice cream (seasonal, of course) and a bag of large, soft, ginger cookies. Put a small scoop of ice cream on cookie and make sandwich by putting another on top. Freeze until firm, and then indulge. This could not be easier, unless you decide to just go for:

Coldstone's Pumpkin Pie in the Sky ice cream: Go to Coldstone's, order this, insert spoon, swoon! I like this lazy-ass pumpkin fix. :)