Apple Butter, Golden Raisin and Walnut Spice cookies made me call out to Dasher and Dancer they were SO GOOD!

Cookies and Bars / November 16, 2016

It was after 8 one night. I had already cleaned up from making a huge dinner. But I simply wasn’t done cooking. I needed something sweet, so the stand mixer was nudged out to the edge of the countertop and the measuring spoons set lightly on the cupboard.

“You’re already cooking something else?” my husband cooed in surprise…

Silly question….

It had been raining that day. The trees were alive with color. A cold breeze was making its way through the partially open slider. And I was simply called out by the holiday fairies to make my first Christmas cookie.

I love making up recipes. It just feels so much more natural than looking on a page. I go by feel, aroma, texture…and then rely on my nose to test an ingredient before adding. When it turns out I pat myself on the back and smile big. I love smiling big.

First, I had a small bottle of apple butter purchased the day before, because I just needed that in my kitchen knowing I would build a recipe around this luxurious dark spread.

These cookies? They had to be chewy…REALLLLY CHEWY. And spicy like the smell of hot cider. And of course sweet but with a bit of crunch. I had everything set up in no time!

Golden raisins transform anything. They are almost transparent, and much sweeter than their dark counterparts. A darn site more expensive, too. But they are so worth it! And I used one egg yolk and one whole egg. WOW, what a difference. I am a fan of more vanilla than any recipe calls for, and in this case I chopped my walnuts a little small. The final product might just be the best cookie I HAVE EVER MADE!!!

AND…..I’m half tempted to tell you that this will be the best cookie you will ever EAT.

Apple Butter, Raisin & Walnut Spice Cookies

Chewy, spicy, and moist with just the right crunch from the walnut pieces. I love how that they come out in different shapes and not boringly round. These make an amazing gift because they are rich, yet the flavors are so perfect with any holiday spread.

Makes 36 Cookies

Ingredients:

½ C shortening
1 C sugar
¼ C light brown sugar
1 large egg yolk
1 large egg whole
2 t vanilla extract
¼ C apple butter
2 T heavy cream (or milk)
2 C all-purpose flour
1 t baking soda
1 t kosher salt
2 t allspice
1/3 – ½ C golden raisins
1/3 – ½ C chopped walnuts

Direction:

In a separate bowl, add the flour, salt, baking soda and allspice. Using a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, cream together the shortening, sugars, eggs, vanilla, and apple butter until well blended. Mix for about 3 minutes on high. Add 2 T heavy cream and blend for about another 30 seconds until incorporated. Add the dry ingredients in the separate bowl in about 4 steps, blending before adding more, and scraping down the bowl each time. Just mix on low until blended. Do not over-beat. Now add the raisins and walnuts and blend until mixed in.
Drop by spoonful onto a cookie sheet, in balls about 1 ½ inch diameter or less. Bake in a preheated oven at 375 degrees F for 7 ½ minutes or until lightly brown on top and brown on bottom. Remove and cool on rack. Keep in airtight container. Or freeze for up to a month.