Junk Food Nation, it’s Fall, it’s the holiday season, and you know what that means – people in your workplace are whipping up baked goods, cupcakes, cookies, and other treats faster than you can consume them.  And it’s awkward but we all do it: you get to work and someone sends an email to the entire office saying, “I made ____ last night! Come to my office if you want one/ if you want a piece/ if you’re an oinker.” And we all go.  We all…go.

So there you are, it’s 8:30am, you haven’t even gotten started with work, you’ve just finished breakfast, and you’re standing there eating a piece of chocolate cake, a cookie, a frosting covered-something. You’re eating it now because, well, you WANT to, but also because you know if you don’t, the vultures in your office will swoop in and leave nothing behind. That’s why you’re eating Halloween candy when the sun’s not fully out yet.

To that end, I wanted to highlight, in a little photoblogging session, two treats recently brought to my own office: Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cookies & Pumpkin Squares!

The Money Shot

The Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cookies were made by my friend Marybeth, and the Pumpkin Squares were made by my friend Melissa.  I love pumpkin themed treats, and these two were A+ submissions!  Let’s start with Marybeth’s – here’s the photo rundown:

Marybeth's Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cookies

Open sesame!

Cakey and fluffy

Loaded with chips

Marybeth’s Chocolate Chip Pumpkin cookies were more cakey and fluffy than your traditional cookie. A little thicker than a traditional cookie, the pumpkin batter was loaded with chocolate chips – each bite had at least one chip in it. The cookie part of it was light, flaky, and had an amazing color reminiscent of pumpkin bread…and tasted just like it.  The cakey cookie plus the chocolate chips made for an amazing treat.

Next up: my friend Melissa’s Pumpkin Squares!

Melissa's Pumpkin Squares

Opening the door

Layered sugary goodness

Moist and bitemark worthy

These Pumpkin Squares were top notch! Not quite a cake or a brownie, these squares were loaded with cinnamon and pumpkin flavor, accented by an almost caramel-like brown sugary taste.  This square was SO moist and chewy, it was able to maintain my bite marks with each chomp. Not greasy at all, and loaded with seasonal spice flavor.  Great crumbly texture on top, with a nice crust along the outside. Really an awesome treat.

Thanks to Marybeth and Melissa for their contributions to my sugar highs first thing in the morning.

What do you think of these treats, or have you been victim of the office morning dessert? Tell me in the comments below or hit me on Twitter @junkfoodguy or on my Facebook Page.

Sincerely, Junk Food Guy