BAKiNG | Pumpkin Oatmeal Bites

For me...

nothing says "Fall"...

more than the word "Pumpkin".

I enjoy Pumpkin Bread, Pumpkin Butter, Pumpkin Pie and my new-found fave...

Pumpkin Oatmeal Bites

There's more to these Pumpkin Oatmeal Bites than just chocolate chips however.
There are cherries in these delicious treats.
They add a similar "bite" as dried cranberries would.
Since cranberries seem to be what I tend to reach for most when adding fruit to baked goods...
especially during the Fall baking season...
I was happy to try something different.
LOVED the results.

I adapted this Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookie recipe from My Baking Addiction...
and created delicious and adorable mini "bites".
I simply opted to use a mini muffin pan and liners for baking...
instead of making cookies.
I also chose to use semi-sweet chocolate chips...
in addition to the white chocolate chips suggested.

Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies

YIELD: 48 cookies

INGREDIENTS:
2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup (2 sticks) butter; softened
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup pure pumpkin puree
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup white chocolate chips
1/2 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
1 cup dried cherries; roughly chopped

Optional: extra chips and cherries for topping off pre-baked bites.

DIRECTIONS:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line your mini muffin tin with cute decorative paper liners.

2. Combine flour, oats, baking soda, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice and salt in medium bowl. Beat butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar in large mixer bowl until light and fluffy.

3. Add pumpkin, egg and vanilla extract; mix well. Add flour mixture; combine until all ingredients are incorporated. Fold in white and semi sweet chips along with the dried cherries.

4. Fill each cavity of the prepared muffin tin with batter. (Approx. 1 TBSP. per bite)

5. Bake for 12-14 minutes or until bites are lightly browned. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

NOTES:
• I prefer to store mine in the refrigerator. The wrappers come off nice and clean using this storage method.
• Create your own "signature" Pumpkin Oatmeal Bites by adding a variety of nuts, chocolates, and dried fruits.

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TiP:

Because it's all about presentation...

make the chips or cherries more prominent in the final results:

Add some extra chips (and cherries) on top of each "bite" prior to baking.

I like to press mine into the dough just a tad.

CAUTiON: Exposed WHiTE chocolate chips may "brown" if sprinkled on the top.

I suggest pushing them a bit deeper into the dough so they are still visible but a little more protected from browning.

Turn just about ANY cookie into a "bite" by baking it in a mini muffin pan.
Mini cupcake liners make them a simple grab-and-go treat...
and no matter what recipe you are making...
anything looks holiday appropriate by simply using cute mini baking liners to tie in the season.
Baking times may have to be adjusted.

If you try out the recipe...
leave a comment with your results.
Or email me at: pnpflowers AT live DOT com

I hope you are inspired...
Enjoy the rest of your week sweet friends...

KEEPiNG iT REAL
I tried baking a batch of the Pumpkin Oatmeal cookies before switching to the bites.
Because I'm always trying recipes for potential display on dessert tables...
I decided the cookies were a bit too "limp" to offer to guests.
The bites make for a better presentation due to the use of the decorative mini baking cups...(thank you Martha Stewart)
and I feel they are more "dessert table-friendly". (they don't crumble nearly as much in this form).

Regardless...

both the cookies and the bites are YUMMY!!

Evidence? These went too quickly at my house....

The majority of them may or may not have been eaten by moi. *wink*