Mar 25, 2012

PECAN, ORANGE, COCOA COOKIES


The incredible thing about home baked goods is not just in the feeling of personal satisfaction it can lead to- but also the magic it creates when left on a counter for others to enjoy. I like to think of it like sprinkling edible fairy dust all around you. Just leave a plate of cookies for friends & family to indulge in... and watch how it brings smiles to people's faces- even if just for a few seconds... It works like a charm. 
So my latest edible fairy dust were these delightful pecan, orange and cocoa cookies that I made not too long ago during one of my "free-style" spontaneous baking session and I am proud to say they taste- and smell (the orange zest, aaah!)- spectacularly nice. Wouldn't it be so selfish of me not to sure the recipe with you? 
Sometimes I don't know what looks better- the cookie dough or the baked cookies! Mmm


Recipe for Pecan, Orange & Cocoa cookies:
1+1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 orange, zest only
1/2 cups (1 stick) butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup toasted pecans, chopped

Preheat oven to 375F. Line a baking tray with parchment paper. 
Whisk butter, sugar, egg and vanilla extract until fluffy for about 2 minutes. Add the flour, cocoa, cinnamon orange zest, baking soda and salt, mix well. Finally finish off with the toasted pecans. Drop spoonfulls on a baking tray and bake for 9 minutes. 
*To toast pecans: place nuts on a pan over med-high heat for 3-4 minutes. They're ready when slightly darker in colour and infuse a lovely nutty scent.
*If you're not in a hurry, place cookie dough in the fridge for at least 3 hours (and up to 24 hours) before baking.

4 comments:

Jen said...

I wish the citrus season were longer so I could bake all these incredible cookies. Orange and cocoa are a match made in heaven- at least in my version :-)

Nina said...

I'm making these tonight for my card group. I know the ladies will love the orange scent! Thank you for sharing!

Anonymous said...

This is incredibly dry and doesn't look like dough at all. Is there an ingredient missing?

Marianna said...

Hi Anonymous. Not sure what you mean- all the ingredients are listed, butter, eggs etc... Did you have troubles with the recipe?