Cookies Can Be Project for Family

Making Great Pumpkin Cookies might be a fun family project for Halloween. Everyone can get into the act--preparing the dough, spreading it into the shape of pumpkins and decorating with assorted candies, raisins and nuts.

Pumpkins and oats add flavor as well as nutritional value to these cookies. Serve as party refreshments or after-school snacks. GREAT PUMPKIN COOKIES

2 cups flour

1 cup oats, uncooked

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup butter or margarine, softened

1 cup brown sugar, packed

1 cup granulated sugar

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup mashed canned or cooked pumpkin

1 cup semisweet chocolate pieces

Assorted icing or peanut butter

Assorted candies, raisins or nuts

Combine flour, oats, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Cream butter. Gradually add brown and granulated sugars, beating until light and fluffy.

Add egg and vanilla, mixing well. Alternate additions of dry ingredients and pumpkin, mixing well after each addition. Stir in chocolate pieces.

For each cookie, drop 1/4 cup dough onto lightly greased baking sheet. Spread into pumpkin shape using thin metal spatula. Add bit more dough to form stems.

Bake at 350 degrees 20 to 25 minutes, until cookies are firm and lightly browned. Remove from baking sheets and cool on wire racks. Decorate using icing to affix assorted candies, raisins or nuts. Makes about 20 cookies.

Note: One cup raisins may be substituted for chocolate pieces.