Pumpkin chocolate chip cookies...with a twist

*Edited 9/24

I have two recipes for pumpkin cookies/bars so obviously, I combined them.  Below is the final combination:

1/2 cup honey - the more local and more fresh the better
1/2 cup Stevia in the raw
1 can of Pumpkin puree
1/2 cup coconut oil (or 1/4 cup oil, 1/4 cup natural applesauce)
1 cup oats, ground fine (I use Quaker, old fashioned)
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 c dairy-free chocolate chips, chopped

Mix wet ingredients, then add the chocolate.  Stir.  Add dry ingredients.
Spoon onto parchment paper.  Flatten with back of spoon.  Bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes. Cool.

Now, for the twist.

In a double boiler, melt smooth peanut butter.  I use Smucker's all natural because it has two ingredients - peanuts and salt.  Also, melt dairy-free chocolate either dark or semi-sweet.

Stab a cooled cookie with a fork, right in the middle, all the way through.  Smooth on a thin (or thick if you like) layer of PB.  Dip into the chocolate.  If you're afraid of the cookie falling off your fork, spoon it on.  Cover completely.  Set on plastic wrap then place in the freezer.  Once the chocolate has hardened, peel off the plastic wrap.  Keep in the fridge or freezer.  YUM!

Chocolate-covered Pumpkin chip cookies

* PUMPKIN ESPRESSO BITES
This cookie has gone through a few changes.  No eggs and no flour, plus a kick of espresso

INGREDIENTS:
1 cup ground rolled oats
1 cup almond meal (ground raw almonds until it becomes flour-like)
1/2 c organic coconut oil
3/4 c raw local honey
1 mashed banana
1 can pumpkin
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 TBS espresso powder
2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
3/4 c dairy-free dark chocolate chips (grind them up a little)

Bake on parchment at 350F for 15-20 minutes

My Chemistry experiment

Today is a rainy, dreary, don't want to get out of bed type of day.  It was supposed to be long run day.  Didn't happen.  Got on the treadmill and was bored in less than 30 minutes.  I managed to pull out 7 miles before I gave up.

A few days ago, I discovered the web site for my favorite dairy-free chocolate, Enjoy Life, and as any responsible runner with a dairy allergy would do, I ordered a case.

After my run this morning, I decided to do some experimentation.  First, I made chocolate milk frappe type drink.  (No photo).  

2 ripe bananas

1/2 cup coconut milk

1 cup almond milk (plain)

1/2 cup dark chocolate chip morsels (pictured above)

2 Tbs Smuckers all natural peanut butter

6 large frozen strawberries

It was not too bad, not cold enough, so I put it in the freezer.  May make good ice cream substitute.  Will find out after it's frozen.

Next, I made my black bean brownies with the dark chocolate chips.  YUM!

The brownies called for 2 TBS of canned pumpkin.  I had a can minus 2 TBS left, so what to do?  I searched my recipes and decided to do a mash up of my Pumpkin Bars and Pumpkin Chocolate chip cookie.  

Recipe:

1/2 cup Agave

1/2 cup Stevia in the raw

1 can (minus what was used for the brownies)  pumpkin puree

1/4 cup coconut oil, melted

1/4 cup all natural apple sauce

1 cup oats (finely ground)

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 egg

3/4 cup +/- dark chocolate chip morsels chopped up (I put them in the little Ninja for a few seconds)

Mix in order, stirring well.  Spoon onto parchment paper, flatten a bit with a spoon.  375 for 10 minutes.  Allow to cool.   

They turned out soft and very sweet and chocolatey.  I think I love them!!   Will have to get some taste testers when the family gets home.  I will also be taking some of my experiments to church tomorrow and see if they get eaten or hit the trash can.  

Normally, I bake for my own enjoyment.  I can't eat "grocery store" deserts because of my allergy to dairy and my family isn't too keen on my experiments.  Perhaps my readers could give me some feedback.  Like?  Don't like?  I have friends who love the black bean brownies, so maybe these new cookies will be a hit as well.  

Pumpkin chocolate cookies

Pumpkin chocolate chip cookie right out of the oven.

Don't ask me what the calorie count is in these recipes.  I'm not into that sort of thing.  I run 35 plus miles a week and need the calories.   The ingredients are natural and healthy, so enjoy in moderation if you are dieting.   Does the plate of cookies look like a little person?  Kinda did that on purpose.