Naming these cookies was difficult. I know how dumb that sounds, but it seriously took me two days to come up with a name for this recipe. Job hazard, I suppose.

I mean, these pumpkin oatmeal cookies are soft-centered and chewy-edged, perfectly spiced and full of pumpkin flavor. And then there are the add-ins: chocolate chips, dried cranberries, and chopped walnuts. As someone who’s not much for fruit with their chocolate, I have to say that I love this creamy, tangy, nutty combination. Looooove it.

But what on earth was I going to call them? Chocolate-Cranberry-Walnut Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies isn’t exactly a great name. No cookie really needs a six word name after all. That’s ridiculous. But Autumnal Oatmeal Cookies didn’t sound much better–so bland! And so, after spending entirely too long thinking about naming a recipe, I realized it was right in front of me the whole time. These are My Favorite Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies. Maybe they’ll be your favorite, too.

My Favorite Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies
makes 4 dozen cookies

3/4 cup dried cranberries
1 1/2 cups boiling water
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon Kosher or sea salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
1 1/2 cups light brown sugar, packed
1 large egg yolk, at room temperature
1/2 cup pumpkin purée
1 1/2 teaspoons real vanilla extract
3 cups old fashioned oats
3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350F. Line two baking sheets with parchment or silicone baking mats. Set aside.

Place dried cranberries and boiling water in a small bowl. Set aside.

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together flour, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to beat butter until light and fluffy. Beat in light brown sugar, followed by egg yolk, pumpkin purée, and vanilla. Mix in dry ingredients followed by oats.

Strain cranberries and press out any excess water. Add them to the dough, followed by chocolate chips and chopped walnuts.

Scoop dough in 2 tablespoon increments* and drop 2 1/2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets. Bake 10-11 minutes, until the edges are set and the centers look just a tad underbaked. Let cool on the pans for ten minutes before removing to a rack to cool completely.

Cookies will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.

Note:

I use this medium cookie scoop.