Tuesday, November 13, 2007

White Chocolate-Butterscotch Cookies


As I’ve mentioned before, I am completely in Christmas mode. Nothing else occupies my time or thoughts right now. I am on a cookie baking, packaging, shipping, journey. However, lately my friend Katie has peaked my interest in a Christmas/Fruit cake recipe. I think it’s too late for me to start a real Christmas cake. Where was I? Oh yeah, Christmas. Every year I send out cookie tins containing 12 different types of cookies. (I will post a complete directory with photos and recipes a couple weeks before Christmas in case you need a couple good cookie recipes.) Every holiday season I search for 12 cookie recipes that will essentially become Christmas gifts.

From day one, I never had any interest in making this cookie. White Chocolate-Butterscotch Cookies …boring. That’s what the recipe said to me. Therefore, I kept skipping over it for about a year or so. Finally, out boredom I baked the cookie. Which turned out not to be so boring. Huh? That’s right; this simple cookie is full of so many great flavors that I was completely awed. I usually eat one or two of whatever I bake and give away the rest. This time I was greedy and squirreled away 6 cookies all to myself. They were good. (Real good.) The cookies bake up crisp with a chewy center. I’ll let you in on a secret. This cookie will definitely be included in the Christmas Cookie tin. Until next time, happy baking!

White Chocolate-Butterscotch Cookies
Adapted from Martha Stewart

Makes about 2 dozen
1 ¾ cups of flour
½½ teaspoon of baking soda
½ teaspoon of salt
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature.
¾ cup of vegetable shortening, at room temperature.
1 ¼ cups packed dark brown sugar
1 large egg
1 tablespoon of pure vanilla extract
8 ounces best quality white chocolate, chopped into chunks
Please do not skimp on this ingredient. The chocolate is a key player in this recipe.

Preheat the oven to 350F degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper; set aside. In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt; set aside.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the brown sugar, butter, and shortening until light and fluffy. Scrape the sides of the bowl. Add the egg and vanilla extract and beat until combined. With the mixer on low speed and the flour in two batches until just combined. Stir in the chocolate.

Drop 2 tablespoons of dough at a time about 2 inches apart. Bake rotating the pans halfway though, until lightly golden around the edges, about 15 minutes. Let cookies cool on the pans for 2 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely. Cookie can be kept at room temperature in an airtight container up to 4 days.

15 comments:

slush said...

Very sweet! We love butterscotch, this sounds like a keeper! xo

Deborah said...

I think these sound divine!! I'm still trying to decide what to do for Christmas goodies. I'm leaning toward candy, but I really like the cookie idea too!

Katie said...

They sound like a great sweet treat. I love white chocolate in cookies, it always stays slightly soft and fudgey. Yum.

Henny A. said...

These look delicious and I love the way you "packaged" them with a ribbon. I better start thinking of Christmas baking soon too.

KellytheCulinarian said...

Beautiful presentation and wrapping. I also just started my Christmas shopping. I wrote just the other day about foodie gifts at a bargain as well as gourmet food gifts to make at home.

Gigi said...

Slush:thank for a such a lovely compliment.

Deborah: You can't go wrong with cookies! Everyone loves them.

Katie:I'm with you, these are totally yummy!

Augustina:Give these a try, you won't be let down.

Kelly:I love to give baked goods as gift; especially to people who don't bake.

Thanks for visiting and the lovely comments.

Half Baked said...

These look yummy and beautiful! I think I'll give them a try for Christmas!!

Emily said...

I just love Martha Stewart.
Can't wait to see all of your creations. Christmas is all I think about too!

Steph said...

I, like you, am soo excited and ready for Christmas. I'm in the midst of stockpiling my cookie list and was wondering if you had any suggestions?

Gigi said...

Steph, a couple of cookies that I am highly considering as gifts are: World Peace Cookies, Nieman Marcus chocolate chip, Vanilla Malt, Jam crumb bars. I hope this helps.

Cookie baker Lynn said...

They sound delicious! I'm doing a bunch of cookie posts in December, too. I'll tune in to see what's coming out of your kitchen!

Anonymous said...

I think a lot of times the most simple of things end up being the best. This does look good! Love the photo :)

How To Eat A Cupcake said...

That's a great photo! Nice job!

Anonymous said...

Am I correct that there is no actual butterscotch in these cookies, but the butterscotch flavor comes from the combination of ingredients? They look delicious!!

Gigi said...

leucanthemum: Yes, the butterscotch flavor comes from brown sugar, butter, and the white chocolate. It's much milder in taste then butterscotch chips.