Butternuts

As seen in my article on @YorkRegion and my Metroland/Torstar column - Renata’s Table: Butternut cookies taste as good as they sound

These delicious cookies are perfect any time of year and especially for the holidays!  The combination of shortbread, pecans, butterscotch chips and a rum extract flavoured icing makes a most impressive treat everyone will love. Since these scrumptious Butternuts are surprisingly easy to make, you’ll be able to keep them in stock and demand for family and friends.   

Prep Time: 15 minutes / Bake Time: 15 minutes / Cool & Icing Time: 30 Minutes / Makes: ~3 dozen

Ingredients

Cookie

  • 3/4 Cup Unsalted Butter – softened

  • 1/2 Cup Icing Sugar: also known as Powdered Sugar

  • 1/4 teaspoon Sea Salt

  • 1 3/4 Cup All Purpose Flour – I use unbleached flour

  • ¾ Cup Butterscotch Chips

  • 1 Cup Finely Chopped Pecans – I whirl pecans in my food processor to a fine consistency

Icing

  • 1½ Cup Icing Sugar

  • 1½ teaspoon Rum Extract – available at most grocery stores

  • 2 Tablespoons of Milk – alternate: water

  • 1/3 Cup Chopped Pecans

How It’s Made

  • Preheat your oven to 325°F

  • Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with a silicon pad or parchment paper.

  • In a medium sized bowl, cream the softened butter with the icing sugar and salt until the mixture is well combined and light in colour.

  • Blend in the flour a little at a time and mix well.

  • Add the butterscotch chips and the 1 cup finely chopped pecans. Mix to combine.

  • Roll 1 teaspoon of the dough into a ball and place on the baking sheet. Repeat with the rest of the dough – placing the balls 1 inch apart.

  • Bake for 15 minutes, until firm but not browned.

  • Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool completely.

  • Next, make the icing - mix the icing sugar, the rum extract and the milk until smooth and spreadable. If you want a glaze instead of icing, add more milk to make it runnier.  

  • Dip each ball into the icing and then top with a sprinkle of chopped pecans. For a glaze, it’s easiest to leave the cookies on the baking sheet, spoon glaze over, then top with a sprinkle of chopped pecans.

  • Store in an airtight container on your counter. Serve with pride and get ready for compliments!

Enjoy!

Baked Goods, Cookies, Dessert, Egg Free, Gift givingRenata RichardsonButternuts, Cookies, Holiday CookiesComment