These cookies are not only delicious, but it is almost impossible not to devour the whole tray right out of the oven.
The honey walnuts and maple syrup put a sinfully good twist on a classic.
These cookies practically burst with flavor, and while fancy and fun, these treats require serious attention and preparation.
Christmas chocolate chip cookies
Makes four servings
1 1/4 cups of flour
6 tablespoons of butter
3 tablespoons of freshly shredded coconut, toasted
2 tablespoons of pure maple syrup
Seeds from 1/2 a vanilla bean
200 chocolate chips, about 8 ounces
1/2 a cup of honey walnuts
Pinch of Celtic sea salt
First, we will start with the honey walnuts:
Soak 3 cups of raw walnuts in water for 7 hours then drain and pat dry. Add 5 tablespoons of honey, 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon and a 1/4 of a teaspoon of sea salt. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix until the walnuts are evenly coated. Transfer walnuts to a nonstick baking pan and into your oven pre-heated to 160 degrees for 1 hour. Let cool and store in an airtight container until you bake the cookies.
Now for the cookies.
Using a stand mixer (such as Kitchen Aid) fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the flour, butter, toasted coconut, maple syrup, vanilla seeds and salt and beat on medium speed until the mixture comes together.
Stir in the chocolate chips and the honey walnuts.
Using your hands, shape the dough into rounds, 2- to 3-inches wide by 1/4- to 1/2-inch thick and place them on a non-stick baking pan and into a pre-heated oven at 350 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes or until golden brown.
Tips and techniques
The honey walnuts can be made up to three days in advance.
Here is a tasty holiday beverage
Cranberry, vanilla and cinnamon drink
4 cups of cranberries
2 cups of pineapple, chopped
2 cups of fresh coconut
2 cups of water
1/2 a cup of freshly squeezed orange juice
1 teaspoon of cinnamon
In a high-speed blender, combine the water and fresh coconut and blend on high for 2 minutes. Add the rest of the ingredients and blend on high until smooth.
Contact Chris Kennedy at Seasoned Catering at (561) 351-0221, or e-mail chris@seasonedcatering.com.