Simple & Gourmet ~ Toffee Pecan Cookies (With Whiskey)

These cookies are special and impressive! So simple to make ~ family and
friends loved the gourmet flavors.

Ingredients:

7 tablespoons unsalted butter

2 1/4 cups all purpose flour

3/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt

2 ounces cream cheese (at room temperature)

3/4 cup granulated sugar

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

1/4 cup Copper Still Distillery Dutch Apple Pie whiskey (or whiskey of your choice)*

1 egg

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon caramel extract (or 1/2 teaspoon more pure vanilla extract)

1 (8 ounce) bag toffee bits (1 2/3 cups)

3/4 cup finely chopped pecans

Method:

Add the butter to a small skillet or saucepan. Heat and stir over medium heat for 6 minutes or until it is fragrant and golden brown. Set aside to cool.

Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside.

In a large bowl, with an electric mixer on medium, beat together the cream cheese and sugars for 2 minutes, until smooth and creamy. Add the melted butter, whiskey, egg and extracts. Beat on low speed until all of the ingredients are well combined and smooth. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.

Gradually add the sifted ingredients to the creamed ingredients 1/2 cup at a time, mixing at low speed after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl throughout the process.

Stir in the toffee bits and pecans until well mixed in. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours or over night.

Preheat oven to 350*. Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Scoop 2 tablespoons of dough and place 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. 

Bake for 12 minutes or just until the edges are lightly golden. 

Cool on the sheet for 5 minutes before transfering to a rack to finish cooling completely. Store in airtight containers with wax paper between each layer of cookies.** Makes 4 1/2 dozen.

*Copper Still Distillery is located in Lake Havasu, Arizona. They create high quality whiskeys with speciality flavors that are wonderful to sip, bake and cook with.

**To make giant cookies, scoop dough into 1/4 cup balls and bake for 15 minutes. Makes 25 to 26 large cookies. 

Notes: 

You can bake these cookies and freeze for holiday parties and gifts. Simply cool cookies completely, place in airtight container and wrap the container in plastic wrap. Freeze for up to 6 months.

My husband likes cookies, but typically only eats one off of the cooling racks. He ate 3 of these and suggested that I double the recipe next time. I agree and will. 😀