Happy Fall Goodies

This week I delivered a lot of hugs to my clients and friends.

For my friends participating in a 60 mile walk over the weekend to raise money for breast cancer research, I filled a hot pink backpack with HeartSong Cookies to give them a carb load for the trek.

Others received fall or Halloween themed baskets similar to the photograph taken by my friend, Vicky. All the baskets and backpacks seemed to have the same effect. They made people happy. And in turn they made me overjoyed. What a wonderful world we live in!

It seems like an eternity since I actually posted a recipe on this blog. One of the favorites in my recent fall baskets was the Cranberry Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookie. It is basically my base cookie recipe with dried cranberries, dark chocolate chips and toasted pecans added.

Cranberry Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies

2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
1/3 cup dark brown sugar
1/3 cup light brown sugar
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs
3/4 tsp. baking soda
3/4 tsp. salt
2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups dried cranberries
1 1/2 Hershey's Special Dark Chocolate Chips
1 1/2 cups toasted pecan, toasted whole, lightly salted with a sprinkling of sea salt, then chopped

1. Preheat oven to 375 F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

2. Beat butter, all sugars and vanilla in the bowl of a mixer fitted with a paddle attachment until fluffy. Add eggs, baking soda and salt. Beat until well mixed. Add flour and beat until just combined. Overmixing will result in a tough cookie.

3. Drop by rounded tablespoons about 2 inches apart onto prepared baking sheets. Bake for 10 minutes until lightly brown around the edges, rotating midway through the cookie time. Cool on pan for 5 minutes. Then remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Tip: The cranberries add a festive touch to the cookies and work great for fall and holiday entertaining and gift giving. White chocolate chips can be substituted for the dark chocolate chips. Your favorite nut can be substituted for the pecans. I made Cranberry White Chocolate Macadamia Nut cookies this week to rave reviews. Have fun blending your favorite taste components.


Happy Halloween!

Many hugs,

Kathy