Pumpkin Drops

1 1/2 Butter; room temp

2/3 c Packed light brown sugar

2 Eggs

1 1/2 ts Vanilla extract

1 c Cooked fresh pumpkin puree

Or canned 2 c All-purpose flour

1/2 ts Baking powder

1/2 ts Baking soda

1 pn Salt

2 1/2 ts Pumpkin-pie spice

1 c Chocolate chips

1 c Chopped walnuts or pecans

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a large bowl beat together butter, brown sugar, eggs and vanilla until light. Beat in pumpkin. Add flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and pumpkin-pie spice, beating until blended. Stir in chocolate chips and walnuts. Drop teaspoonfuls of batter 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake until edges are golden, 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer cookies from baking sheets to a wire rack and cool.

Yield 6 to 7 dozen 1 1/2-inch cookies NATHALIE DUPREE SHOW#ND017 -----