The Best Cookies, Ever

My first "real" job (i.e. non-record store) was at a cookie bakery in Seattle, so I know of what I speak. I am a cookie aficionado and these are probably the all-around winner in our household. I used to bake them primarily for my stepfather, since he likes pumpkin pie and it leaves me ambivalent. Not enough chocolate in there! Anyway, I bet you're sitting on some leftover cans of pumpkin from Thanksgiving. Go bake up some happiness.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

2 cups flour
1 cup oats
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup solid-pack pumpkin
1 cup chocolate chips (I prefer dark chocolate)
1/2 cup nuts (I like walnuts)

Preheat oven to 350ºF.

Combine flour, oats, baking soda, cinnamon and salt in bowl; set aside.

Cream butter, add sugars and beat until fluffy. Add egg and vanilla, mix well. Add pumpkin and mix thoroughly, then stir in flour mixture slowly, making sure it is evenly mixed. Stir in chocolate chips and nuts. Drop batter by spoonfuls onto greased cookie sheet, allowing room for spread.

Bake 20-25 minutes, until cookies are springy in the center. They should be very cake-like.

I wasn't actually planning to post this recipe (it's up by popular request!), so I didn't take pictures of the finished cookies. I did take some pictures of the pies I made for Thanksgiving, though, so take a gander:

Yes, the pecan pies did have lots of gooey chocolate in them. Mmm.