Friday, January 7, 2011

Cooking for Alec Baldwin: Pecan Raisin Oatmeal Cookies


Dear Mr. Baldwin,
Thanks for endless hours of entertainment. I really don't know what I would've done this winter break had four seasons of 30 Rock not been on Netflix's instant view (ok maybe writing cover letters would have been useful). Anyways, I decided to bake you cookies.

Oatmeal raisin is my favorite type of cookie. And Texan pecan pie is to die for. So why not combine the two? I hope you enjoy these cookies as much as I do!

Fondly,
Ally


(Adapted from Ina Garten)

Pecan Raisin Oatmeal Cookies

What You'll Need:
1 1/2 cups Pecans
2 sticks Unsalted Butter, at room temperature
1 cup Dark Brown Sugar, lightly packed
2 tsp Vanilla Extract
3/4 cup All-Purpose Flour
3/4 cup Whole Wheat Flour
1 tsp Baking Powder
1 1/2 tsp Ground Cinnamon
1 tsp Kosher Salt
3 cups Old-Fashioned Oatmeal
1 1/2 cups Raisins

How to Make it:
[Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees]

Place the pecans on a baking sheet and bake for 5 minutes. When done, chop the pecans. For a chunkier cookie chop them very coarsely; however, I like to chop them pretty finely so that they become part of the batter, but they still add texture.

In the bowl of an electric mixer with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and both sugars together on high speed until the mixture is smooth.  Then with the mixer on low, add the eggs and the vanilla.

Sift together the flours, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt into a bowl. With the mixer on low, gradually add the dry mixture to the batter. Stir in the oats, raisins, and pecans.

Drop tablespoon mounds of dough onto a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Flatten each mound slightly with the back of a spoon or with a damp hand. Bake for about 15 minutes. When done, transfer the cookies to a rack and let them cool.


Enjoy!
Ally