This is probably the first time that I did not think twice before deciding about how to incorporate a particular theme in my baking. The theme this month for Creative Cookie Exchange is Caramel - any kind of caramel in any kind of cookie and as soon as it was announced, I knew what I had to do! I already had a jar full of caramelized white chocolate that I had made some time back on my kitchen counter-top that I wanted to use for some time now.
(To know how to caramelize white chocolate click here)
Since white chocolate is quite sweet, there had to be another ingredient in my cookie that could balance the sweetness. Pondering over this, I opened the freezer to see what all I had stashed in it and those pretty little dried red cranberries caught my eye. Voila! sweet caramely white chocolate paired with the slight sourness of cranberries = perfect flavor combination :)
I took about 1/4 teaspoon of the caramelized chocolate (3 per cookie) to roughly shape it into a ball and then refrigerated them for about an hour so that it would be easier to incorporate them into the dough. Mind you, while baking the chunks lose their shape, giving you a gooey hit of caramel flavor when you bit into the cookies.....yum yum.
I took these cookies to work the next day and one of my colleagues placed an order for to dozen cookies. Believe me they are that good!
Recipe Source: Bakingyummies
Makes 12 Cookies
Ingredients
90 grams / 3.2 ounces soft unsalted butter
120 grams / 4.2 ounces caster sugar
1 medium egg at room temperature
3/4 teaspoon pure Vanilla Extract
150 grams / 5 ounces all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda (soda bi carb)
1/4 tsp salt (omit the salt if using salted butter)
100 grams / 3.5 ounces caramelized white chocolate chunks, refrigerated (please read above)
50 grams / 1.8 ounces dried cranberries
Method
In a standing mixer with the paddle attachment, on medium to medium high speed, mix the butter and sugar till the mixture is creamy. Keep scraping the sides of the bowl with a spatula in between the steps.
Add egg and vanilla extract and mix till thoroughly combined. Reduce the mixer's speed to minimum and add the flour mixture and mix till almost incorporated.
Add the chocolate chunks and cranberries and mix for few seconds until both the ingredients are incorporated in the batter.
Cover the bowl with a cling film and keep in the refrigerator for 1+1/2 - 2 hrs till the mixture is firm but can still be scooped.
Preheat your oven to 180 degrees C / 350 degrees F.
Using an ice cream scooper, scoop out 12 balls of the cookie dough with a space of about 3 inches between each onto your parchment lined cookie sheet(you can use your hand as well to shape the balls). You might have to use an additional cookie sheet.
Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 mins till the cookies are lightly browned and the edges have a slightly darker shade.
Place the cookie sheets on the cooling rack for 5 mins. Remove the cookies from the sheet and place them on the cooling rack and cool completely.
Storage Suggestions: These cookies can be stored at room temperature for upto 2 days in an airtight container.
Happy Baking!!!
So if you want to see all the ways white chocolate can be used to make terrific cookies, you've come to the right place. If you're a blogger and want to join in the fun, contact Laura at thespicedlife@gmail.com and she will get you added to our Facebook group, where we discuss our cookies and share links. Please be patient though as this month Laura is off to Italy and will not be checking email quite as often.
You can also just use us as a great resource for cookie recipes--be sure to check out our Facebook page, our Pinterest Board, and our monthly posts. You will be able to find them the first Tuesday after the 15th of each month!
Lets have a look at some more caramely deliciousness:
Add the chocolate chunks and cranberries and mix for few seconds until both the ingredients are incorporated in the batter.
Cover the bowl with a cling film and keep in the refrigerator for 1+1/2 - 2 hrs till the mixture is firm but can still be scooped.
Preheat your oven to 180 degrees C / 350 degrees F.
Using an ice cream scooper, scoop out 12 balls of the cookie dough with a space of about 3 inches between each onto your parchment lined cookie sheet(you can use your hand as well to shape the balls). You might have to use an additional cookie sheet.
Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 mins till the cookies are lightly browned and the edges have a slightly darker shade.
Place the cookie sheets on the cooling rack for 5 mins. Remove the cookies from the sheet and place them on the cooling rack and cool completely.
Storage Suggestions: These cookies can be stored at room temperature for upto 2 days in an airtight container.
Happy Baking!!!
So if you want to see all the ways white chocolate can be used to make terrific cookies, you've come to the right place. If you're a blogger and want to join in the fun, contact Laura at thespicedlife@gmail.com and she will get you added to our Facebook group, where we discuss our cookies and share links. Please be patient though as this month Laura is off to Italy and will not be checking email quite as often.
You can also just use us as a great resource for cookie recipes--be sure to check out our Facebook page, our Pinterest Board, and our monthly posts. You will be able to find them the first Tuesday after the 15th of each month!
Lets have a look at some more caramely deliciousness:
- Chocolate Caramel Shortbread Bars from The Spiced Life
- Camel Milk Caramel Basbousa from Food Lust People Love
- Salted Caramel Macarons from A Baker’s House
- Chocolate Caramel Rocks from Karen’s Kitchen Stories
- Caramel Cashew Cookies from Our Good Life
- Millionaire Shortbread Bars from Spiceroots
- Basement Brownies from Sidewalk Shoes
- Chocolate Walnut Caramel Stuffed Cookies from Noshing with the Nolands
- Take 5 Caramel Oatmeal Cookies from 2 Cookin’ Mamas
- Eggless Vanilla-Caramel Biscotti from What Smells So Good?
- Caramelized White Chocolate and Cranberry Cookies from Bakingyummies
Great combo of the white chocolate and cranberries. Now I hope to find those caramelized white chocolate chips too.
ReplyDeleteYou won't be getting that in the stores Renee. I caramelized the chocolate myself. My mistake I should have mentioned it in the post.
DeleteI don't think I've seen caramelized white chocolate chunks before but I love the sound of them! Beautiful cookies!
ReplyDeleteThanks Holly!
DeletePerfect combination of flavors and gorgeous looking cookies!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Tara.
DeleteI've never seen caramelized white chocolate, Deept. I'm intrigued. But cranberries are the perfect ingredient to balance the sweetness, as well as being pretty.
ReplyDeleteHi Stacy. I had made caramelized white chocolate at home some time back, have done the changes to the post accordingly now.
DeleteI'm going to have to try caramelizing white chocolate! What a great looking cookie!
ReplyDeleteThank you Karen
DeleteI have never heard of caramelized white chocolate but it sounds oh so good! Love your idea of combining chocolate with gooey caramel for a sweet-sour balance. They look delicious!
ReplyDeleteThank you Linda, they are indeed very delicious.
DeleteI've been dying to make caramelized white chocolate! What a great excuse
ReplyDeleteLove to have cranberries in my cookies... Yummilicious..
ReplyDelete