I came across some glazed pumpkin cookies at Sugared Blog, who got it from The Repressed Pastry Chef, and had to give them a try (go from link to link there and it’s kind of like a game of telephone, with it being tweaked just a bit as it goes along!).
I had to add some chocolate chips to it, but these are still a bit different from my usual Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cookies. These turned out lighter, and I also didn’t bother smoothing down the peaks (because I’m lazy like that) and I put the glaze on while it …read more

This is the recipe I always use for birthday cakes.  Nothing fancy, but it always works, it is quick to make, and it is chocolate.  Enough said!
Cake Ingredients:
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3/4 cup boiling water
3/4 cup butter at room temperature
1-1/4 cups sugar
4 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
Preheat oven to 350F.  In a medium bowl, stir cocoa into boiling water until completely dissolved.  Let cool.  Add butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla, flour, baking soda, and salt.  Beat with electric mixer on low speed for one minute, then on high speed for three minutes.  Pour batter …read more