Pumpkin Bites

I am totally into pumpkin this fall. So far I have made pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, pumpkin cobbler, pumpkin cheesecake and now these pumpkin bites. I'm even stirring around spoon fulls of pumpkin puree into my morning oatmeal - yummy! I've been using Libby's Pure Pumpkin in my recipes because the idea of pureeing a real pumpkin has kind of intimated me, plus Libby's just make it so darn easy! Maybe one of these days I'll give it a try.

I made these pumpkin bites for an event I was catering at my work place this week. I found the recipe on She's Becoming Doughmesstic. They are just so cute and the frosting is absolutely fantastic! I totally licked the mixing bowl of my pink mixer after I finished making these! Hope you enjoy them as much as I did!

Pumpkin Bites

(makes 60+ Sandwich cookies)

3 cups plus 2 T all-purpose flour

1 tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

1 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup dark brown sugar, packed

1 1/2 tsp ground ginger

2 T cinnamon

1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed

1/2 cup melted butter

1/2 cup canola oil

3 cups pumpkin puree

2 large eggs

1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, and spices. Set aside.

In a mixer bowl, whisk the sugars, canola oil and melted butter together. Add the pumpkin puree and combine thoroughly. Add the eggs and vanilla and whisk until combined. Pour the flour mixture over the wet ingredients and slowly whisk to combine. Do not over mix.

Preheat oven to 350F. Prepare baking sheets by lining with parchment paper or a SilPat.

Place entire mixer bowl in the refrigerator to chill for 20 minutes while oven preheats, then transfer batter to a piping bag fitted with a star tip (I used Wilton #21). Pipe cookies in about 1 inch circles onto prepared sheets. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until cookies look done. Once cool, fill centers with cream cheese frosting.

Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

1 stick butter, softened

8 oz. cream cheese, softened

3 1/2 cups confectioners sugar

1 tsp vanilla

dash of salt

Beat cream cheese, butter, salt and cinnamon until lump free and smooth. Gradually add sugar until well combined. Add vanilla until just incorporated. Pipe onto cookies and sandwich them together. Enjoy!