Momma Told Me: Life has many flavors.
The only thing I enjoy more than a great 'of the month' subscription service is a wonderful pot luck/cookie/gift exchange. There is just something so delightful about experiencing the flavors and spirit of the season through the sampling of other's recipes and generosity. I could truly care less about what's under the tree, and more what might be in that crock pot my neighbor's carefully packing into the back seat of her car. The truth is, life is meant to be lived, and the best way to live it is though the collection of experiences. So, naturally The Great Food Blogger Cookie Swap intrigued me not just for the promise of delicious cookies sent to my door, but for the opportunity to connect, even if just a little, with 3 fellow bloggers I might have otherwise never known.
Now, you know me, I tend to go overboard on things. I was asked to send a dozen cookies to 3 different people and ended up making 6 dozen or more. The simple truth was I really wanted to try out an idea for Apple Pie Cookies (coming in the official post on December 15th,) but the lattice work alone on the top of the cookies is quite consuming. And then there was my bowling league on Thursday in which I always brought a sweet treat in. The solution was to make 2 different cookies, Apple Pie and Salted Caramel Pecan Chocolate Chip.
Now, for all I know, I was breaking the rules big time by sending 2 different cookies. I did sent a dozen to each person, but the rules were a little unclear about the type or style of cookies, so long as there were a dozen and they were home made. I also am likely breaking a tiny rule in that I am posting something about it before the big reveal on December 15th- I hope not, because you WILL want to come back on December 15th to catch the drool-worthy photos and recipe for my Apple Pie Cookies! In any case, I am very grateful for being included in the event, and hope the #FBCookieSwap Gods don't send their wrath down upon me!
Since my 'star' cookie was going to be so time consuming (in design, not recipe) I choose a simple chocolate chip cookie base with a few thoughtful, and hearty, additions to compliment the indulgent home-comfort Apple Pie Cookies. My original 'idea' was to make them look like caramel turtles, with the half pecans sticking out like feet. This worked, and was adorable, but mind you I had several dozen more cookies to make and was up against a holiday weekend. But I digress, with my brand new Red KitchenAid mixer by my side I carefully crafted my Salted Caramel Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies and arranged them thoughtfully on a baking sheet.
I'd seen a similar recipe (just caramel and chocolate chip) done before, but the baker had used the small 'melting' caramels that come in a bag and are essentially unwrapped balls of caramel. I tried this for the first batch, in an attempt to save time, and noted they did not melt at all. Special Note: Don't skimp, unwrap those caramels and slice generous chunks to press into your cookie dough, you won't regret it! The second batch I forgot to add my pink sea salt dash before placing them in the oven. The third came out just right- don't get me wrong, they were all delicious, but that last batch was masterful with the chewy caramel in the soft cookie, with bits of salty pecans and hint of sea salt.
Now, there are 3 types of chocolate chip cookies bases- fluffy and cake-like, chewy, and hard and crumbly. I am a chewy gal, so that's how I've styled this recipe- it just plays well with the caramel and generous chunks of chocolate and pecans. Just remember, as anything with caramel, don't eat them directly from the fridge or you might budge a filling- these are best served at room temperature, if not a little warm. Check out the recipe below, and
don't forget to stop back on December 15th for our Foodie Blogger Cookie Swap Apple Pie Cookies Recipe!
What cookies would you make if you participated in a Cookie Swap?
What Daughter Says: While I can't taste all life has to offer I will never turn down the opportunity to try!
Salted Caramel Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookies
