Glazed Pumpkin-Raisin Cookies

Cookies are always Perfect for a Gift Basket.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the Cookies:

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1 Tbs. ground cinnamon

1 tsp. ground ginger

1 1/2 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg

1/8 tsp. ground cloves

1/2 tsp. salt

3/4 cup pumpkin puree

1 egg

2 tsp. vanilla extract

12 Tbs. (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter

3/4 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar

3/4 cup granulated sugar

2/3 cup chopped toasted walnuts

1 cup raisins

Have all the ingredients at room temperature.

Preheat an oven to 350°F. Spray a cookie sheet with nonstick cooking spray.

To make the cookies, over a sheet of waxed paper, sift together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves and salt. Set aside.

In a small bowl, stir together the pumpkin puree, egg and vanilla. Set aside.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the flat beater, beat the butter on medium-low speed until smooth, about 30 seconds. Add the brown and granulated sugars, increase the speed to medium and beat until slightly fluffy, about 1 minute, stopping the mixer occasionally to scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the pumpkin mixture in two additions, beating well after each addition and stopping the mixer occasionally to scrape down the sides of the bowl.

Reduce the speed to low, gradually add the flour mixture and beat until just combined. Using a rubber spatula, fold in the walnuts and raisins.

Drop the dough by rounded tablespoonfuls onto the prepared pan, spacing the cookies about 2 inches apart.

Bake until golden brown, 12 to 15 minutes. Transfer the pan to a wire rack and let the cookies cool on the pan, then transfer them to a wire rack. Repeat with the remaining dough.

For the Glaze:

2 oz. cream cheese

1 Tbs. unsalted butter

1 cup confectioners' sugar, sifted

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

2 1/2 tsp. milk, plus more as needed

 To make the glaze, in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the flat beater, beat the cream cheese and butter on medium-low speed until combined, about 2 minutes. Add the confectioners' sugar and beat until incorporated, about 1 minute, stopping the mixer occasionally to scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the vanilla and the 2 1/2 tsp. milk and beat until smooth, adding more milk as needed. The glaze should be thick but pourable.

Set the rack over a sheet of waxed paper or parchment paper. Using a spoon, drizzle the glaze over the cookies. Let stand at room temperature for 1 hour before serving. Makes 36 cookies.