Pilgrim Pies
These are little cookies similar to whoopie pies but made with pumpkin.
(Makes 5 – 6 cookies)

Ingredients:
1 egg
1 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup oil
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup canned pumpkin
1 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup chocolate chips or raisins (optional)

Filling:
4 ounces cream cheese, soft
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter, soft
2 teaspoons vanilla
3 cups confectioners sugar

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Beat eggs, sugar, oil, and vanilla until smooth. Stir in pumpkin.
3. Whisk together flour, spice, baking powder, soda and salt.
4. Add the dry ingredients to egg mixture a half cup at a time blending each time until smooth.  Stir in the chocolate chips or raisins.
5. Drop a tablespoon of batter onto an ungreased cookie sheet, flattening each mound with back of spoon.
6. Bake for 12 minutes, transfer to wire rack and cool completely.
7. Make frosting:  Beat together the cream cheese, butter and vanilla until light and fluffy.
8. Mix in the confectioners’ sugar a half cup at a time until the frosting is spreadable.
9. To assemble the pies: Turn half of the cookies bottom side up and spread a generous amount of frosting
   on each one.  Top them with the remaining cookies.