Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 cup canned pumpkin (not pie filling)
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 egg
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda plus 1 teaspoon milk
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup nuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 357 degrees F.

Combine pumpkin, sugar, vegetable oil and egg.

Stir together flour, cinnamon and salt. Mix all together along with 1 teaspoon baking soda dissolved in 1 teaspoon milk. Mix. Add chocolate chips, vanilla extract and nuts, if desired. Drop by teaspoon onto a baking sheet. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, being careful not to overbake.

Yield: 3 dozen