I quit my job today.
I spent the last several years in Organic Chemistry. Six days a week, I buttoned up my long white lab coat, strapped on my bug-eyed safety goggles, and pulled on a pair of bright purple nitrile gloves. I stood at a fume hood more often than I sat at a desk, measuring liquids with syringes and weighing solids on a scale accurate to a tenth of a milligram. (I want that in my kitchen!)
During the last year, I attempted to produce a molecule with the potential to cure cancer. After abandoning three routes, staring at something that boiled at -20°C (-4°F), and magically evaporating one intermediate into thin air, I finally acknowledged two facts as I squirted acetone and chloroform into my flask:
(1) A particular plant in Brazil grew that compound faster than I could synthesize it.
(2) I thought about cooking more than chemistry. And I daydreamed about baking almost constantly.
I dragged my feet for a while, but I walked into the office this afternoon and handed my forms to the secretary. She wished me luck, and I floated out on Cloud 9.
I was free!
To celebrate at home, I consumed dark chocolate and cookie dough bites. Lots of cookie dough bites.
I know I told you that these Double Chocolate Cookie Dough Bites were my all-time favorites, but my new Pumpkin Cookie Dough Bites definitely give them a run for their money!
To make these bites, you’ll first whisk together flour (measured correctly!) and spices. For pumpkin treats, I always turn to the “Holy Trinity”: cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. (You can never have too much cinnamon!)
Next you’ll mix together melted butter and pumpkin. The pumpkin does double duty: it adds flavor and acts as the egg to bind the cookie dough together, which makes it safe to eat raw! Stir in a little vanilla and sugar—brown, to give the cookie dough a subtle molasses undertone—and pop it in the fridge. You need to chill the cookie dough before shaping it into balls because that reduces its stickiness and stiffens it up so it’s much easier to roll!
I’ve been storing a batch of these in my fridge for a week and sneak one almost every time I open the door. The chewy texture and comforting cinnamon taste of these Pumpkin Cookie Dough Bites are absolutely addictive and perfect for fall!
These taste like little bites of pumpkin pie! Store in the refrigerator in an air-tight container for up to one week.
- Whisk together the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt in a small bowl. In a medium bowl, stir together the butter, pumpkin, and vanilla until thoroughly combined. Mix in the brown sugar, smearing any clumps along the side of the bowl. Add in the dry flour mixture, stirring just until incorporated. Cover the cookie dough with plastic wrap, and chill for at least 1 hour.
- Line a baking sheet or large plate with wax paper. Roll the cookie dough into 32 little balls, using between 1 – 1½ teaspoons of dough in each ball. Place on the wax paper and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Note: Do NOT try to bake these as cookies! They’ll turn out dense and flat because the recipe doesn’t use any baking powder.
Amy, first let me congratulate you on making a huge decision! I’m sure it’s kinda scary! I spent more hours than I cared to in college in Organic Chem (and Physiological Chem, and regular chem, and chem labs, and …) and I’m totally with you – baking is way more fun! 🙂
These pumpkin cookie dough bites are already my favorite. I haven’t made them yet, but it doesn’t matter. Pumpkin and cinnamon – what more does a girl need?!? These are destined to be my most favorite. Ever.
Thank you so much Gretchen! Chemistry classes in college do have a way of eating up students’ time… And not necessarily in the tastiest sort of way! And I really hope you like the pumpkin cookie dough bites if you try them! 🙂
Congratulations on making such a big decision. I can’t imagine how hard that was, but I’m sure it was the right decision. Plus, these cookie dough bites look like the perfect celebration treat. 🙂
Thank you Danielle! It took a lot of thought, especially for an indecisive person like me, but I’m already incredibly happy that I get to spend that much more time baking!
OH MY GOSH!! I am so excited/proud of you!! This is amazing, I am in awe of your bravery. Do you know what’s next, or is that going to be part of the adventure!? Cookbooks, bakery, selling your treats at local grocery stores!? OH my goodness you are amazing. Also I had no idea the extent of what you did for work..you really are amazing Chemistry is no joke! These pumpkin bites are the PERFECT way to celebrate!
Aww thank you Brittany, you’re the best!! 😀 For now, I think that blogging and writing a cookbook will mainly be what’s next. But I’m always up for an adventure! Who knows, maybe I’ll move to Seattle one day so we can open a bakery together!
Yay for decisions! It’s gonna be great. 🙂
Thanks Dorothy, I really hope so!
Congrats on making such a huge decision & following your passion!! Good luck girl!!
The pumpkin bites sound great!! Yum!!
Thank you Karey! You’re so sweet, and I really appreciate the support you’ve given me over the past few months. 🙂 I hope you like the cookie dough bites!
Clearly, as seen by the passion and thought put into this space of yours, baking/writing is what you’re meant to be doing! Now your daydreaming will be a GOOD thing rather than a distraction!! So happy for you!!!
Ahhhhh… These cookie dough bites look to DIE for!! Can’t wait till the weekend so I can whip these up AND eat them without guilt!!
Xoxoxoxo
Thank you Andrea!! You’re such a sweetheart, and I couldn’t do this without you! 🙂 You’re almost to the weekend… Only 2 more days to go!
Wow, what a huge step. Congratulations! And the cookie dough bites look great, will definitely be putting them in some ice cream.
Thank you Jenn! I love your idea about putting the bites in ice cream. I’d probably go for vanilla myself — or maybe caramel, to make it interesting! 🙂
I know I commented on facebook but didn’t here… congratulations, again! 🙂 Can’t wait to see what’s next for you. And these cookie dough bites look awesome! Who would have thought of pumpkin cookie dough being so easy. Mmmm, can’t wait to try them!
Thank you so much Erin! You’re so sweet to comment twice; I really appreciate your support. 🙂 I hope you like the pumpkin cookie dough bites! I’m craving pumpkin treats more than ever right now because it’s actually beginning to feel like fall where I live. Hooray!
How exciting! Brand new chapter 🙂 Congratulations Amy! And these pumpkin cookie dough bites looking amazing, two of my favorite things combined!
Thank you Kristina, you’re so sweet!! 🙂 It’s really hard to beat cookie dough. And pumpkin. And cinnamon. I’d give you the entire batch if I could — they’re too dangerous for me to keep around anymore!