Pumpkin Spice Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting

makes approx. 24 cookies

Cookies:

1 cup unsalted butter, softened

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 cup canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling)

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

1/2 teaspoon salt

cream cheese frosting (recipe follows), optional

Frosting:

1/4 cup butter, softened

4 oz. cream cheese, softened

1 teaspoon vanilla

3 cups powdered sugar

For the Cookies:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large mixing bowl with an electric mixer or in the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together the butter and sugars on low until combined then on medium-high for about 2 minutes. Add the pumpkin, egg, and vanilla. Mix well. Add flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and salt. Mix just until combined. 

Drop onto cookie sheet by heaping tablespoonful. Bake 10-12 minutes, or until tops look set. Remove to a cooling rack. Cool completely before frosting.

For the frosting:

Beat butter and cream cheese on medium speed until well blended. Add vanilla and the powdered sugar and beat on medium-high until well blended. Frost cookies once they are cooled.