Spicy Praline Pecan Oatmeal Cookies

Yield: 2 dozen

Ingredients

Quick Praline Pecans

• 1 1/2 cups roughly chopped raw pecans
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• Splash of vanilla extract
• Pinch of sea salt

Cookies

• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper*
• 2 cups rolled oats
• 2 sticks (16 tablespoons) butter (room temperature)
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 ounces chopped white chocolate or 1/2 cup white chocolate chips

Instructions

Quick Praline Pecans

1. Heat oven to 325 degrees F.
2. In a medium bowl, mix all ingredients until pecans are well coated.
3. Transfer to a parchment-lined cookie sheet.
4. Bake for 15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes, or until pecans are crisp and slightly golden.
5. Let cool completely. For faster cooling, place in refrigerator or freezer.

Cookies

1. While pecans are baking, prepare cookie batter.
2. In a medium size mixing bowl, sift flour, cinnamon, cayenne, baking soda and salt.
3. Add oats and mix until combined.
4. In separate large mixing bowl, beat butter and sugars until creamy.
5. Add eggs one a time, beating between each addition.
6. Add vanilla extract, and stir.
7. Fold in dry ingredients in three batches, gently mixing to combine after each addition.
8. Repeat until batter comes together.
9. Increase oven temperature to 350 degrees F.
10. Once praline pecans have cooled, break any large clumps into smaller, bite-sized pieces.
11. Fold pecans and white chocolate into batter.
12. Drop dough in heaping tablespoons onto cookie sheets.
13. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown around the edges.

Notes

* Use 1/4 teaspoon for mild heat or 1/2 teaspoon for a spicier cookie.

Attribution

Recipe and photo used with permission from: Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin