Thick and chewy cranberry-pistachio cookies


Few days ago , I made one of the Christmas-themed cookies that I've seen online . I told myself how hard can it be to decorate the top of the cookies ?! I really suck at decorating and the ones that I made turned out to be a disaster , more scary than merry ugh ! I stared hard at the result and just sigh , so I scraped off the toppings and ate some of the cookies . Hey , the chocolate-peanut butter combination tastes really good ! Maybe I'll try again next week or better yet , next year .....

Or maybe I'll consider posting it and just change the name to " A nightmare before  Christmas cookies " lol   


So I baked another recipe , this time from America's Test Kitchen book , using the chocolate chip cookie recipe but omitted the chips and used some dried fruits and nuts instead . The color of the cranberries and pistachios make these cookies look festive . I like most of the recipe that I tried from that book though some didn't turn out as I expected it to be . Case in point , these cookies , it doesn't have a cracked top as the ones in the book , either because I over mixed the dough , which I usually do almost all the time or I just missed something else huh ?! That small anomaly heh ! aside , these cookies tastes great ! Thick and chewy ( melted butter in the dough helps make the cookies chewy ) with wonderful flavor and crispy texture - what more could you ask for ?!


Recipe adapted from The America's Test Kitchen Family Baking Book , page 153 . My notes in blue

Makes 24 ( 2 tablespoons of dough each ) 

 2 cups plus 2 tablespoons / 10 2/3 oz / 300 grams all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt 
12 tablespoons / 1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter , melted and cooled
1 cup packed / 7 oz light brown sugar
1/2 cup / 3 1/2 oz / 65 grams granulated sugar
1 large egg 
1 large egg yolk 
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups / 9 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips 100 grams dried cranberries , 100 grams lightly salted pistachios , 55 grams dried tart cherries , divided

* Preheat oven to 325°F / 160°C . Line baking sheets with parchment paper . 

* Whisk the flour , baking soda and salt together in a medium bowl . 

* In a large bowl , beat the melted butter and sugars together with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth , 1 to 2 minutes . Beat in the egg , egg yolk and vanilla until combined , about 30 seconds , scraping the sides of the bowl as needed . 

* Reduce the mixer to low and slowly add the flour mixture until combined  . Mix in about three-fourths of dried fruits and pistachios until incorporated . 

* Working 2 tablespoons at a time or depending on the size you prefer , roll dough into balls and lay them on the prepared baking sheets , spaced about 2 inches apart . Sprinkle top with some remaining dried fruits and pistachios . 

* Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until edges are set and the centers are still soft and puffy . Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes , you can serve them warm or transfer to the wire rack to cool completely before storing in an airtight container . 


This post is linked to Cook and Celebrate : Christmas 2014 organized by Zoe of Bake for Happy Kids Yen of Eat Your Heart Out  and Diana of The Domestic Goddess Wannabe   


Also at Cook your Books organized by Joyce of Kitchen Flavours

                                                    cyb12 photo 77951578-1914-4b72-8eda-9e40a91183ac_zps331eb4b4.jpg

Comments

  1. Hi Anne,

    Can you save some of your yummy cookies for me after Santa's visit? :p

    Zoe

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  2. Santa would be happy to get such cookies, I am sure:)

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  3. Hi Anne,
    Your cookies looks wonderful! I have nothing to munch on now, my biscotti are all gone, and i was thinking of cookies lately! Wish I could grab a few of yours!
    I have read lots of good reviews about this book, though have not browsed thru it yet, as I cannot seem to find it in our local bookstore!

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  4. Oh dear, Anne, you are always so hard on yourself. Your cookies look picture perfect and I'm sure Santa will love every single bite!!!

    Thank you so much for sharing, Anne...

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  5. Ah Anne these look so good, can you send some to me please?

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  6. Hi Anne, I love all those bits of nuts and fruit on the cookies. Like little pieces of gems!

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  7. These cookies look so perfect! I seriously love the cranberry and pistachio combo. So Christmasy ;)

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  8. I love all kinds of cookies..these are really delicious and cranberries and pistachios, Anne.
    Have a wonderful holiday season!
    Angie

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  9. A Natale tutti ritorniamo bambini! Allora ti auguro che la gioia, la pace e l'allegria, possano accompagnarti per tutti i giorni dell'anno. Buon Natale

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  10. Cookies look perfect for all the holiday season and for my taste buds. Merry Christmas!

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  11. they are so festive looking, perfect for this christmas season!! Santa would sure come back for more!! LOL! Merry Christmas to you, anne!

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  12. Hi Annie, Merry Christmas to you. May you be blessed with lots of love, joy and happiness.
    Your cookies is absolutely delicious and addictive. Excellent photography skill, 2 thumbs up for you.

    Happy holiday, warmest regards.
    Amelia

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  13. con il tuo permesso ti rubo un biscottino.
    Buona Anni 2015

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  14. Ti Auguro un anno splendente che ti regali i suoi riflessi più belli e i suoi raggi più caldi ogni giorno, come se il sole splendesse sempre. Buon 2015, e che sia come lo vuoi tu. Auguri.!

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