WOW scale: 10
Skill required: Successful cookie baker
Cookie dough:
8 tablespoons butter, softened
1 cup butter flavored solid vegetable shortening
1 1/2 cups light brown sugar, packed
2 large eggs
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 3/4 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon each: cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
2 1/2 cups rolled oats
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup golden raisins
1 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
Icing:
8 tablespoons butter
3 cups confectioner's sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3-4 tablespoons water
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Line 3 baking sheets with parchment paper.
3. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the butter, shortening, and sugar until light and fluffy, 3 minutes.
4. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition, until the mixture is light in color.
5. Mix in the buttermilk.
6. Sift together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, salt, allspice, and cloves, and mix into the butter mixture.
7. Stir in the oatmeal, vanilla, raisins, and walnuts until thoroughly incorporated.
8. Drop batter by 2 tablespoonfuls onto the prepared cookie sheets.
9. Bake for 12-15 minutes, until golden brown.
10.Drizzle with the brown butter icing (recipe follows) and cool completely on wire racks.
Icing:
1. In a small saucepan, heat the butter over medium heat until it is golden brown in color and has a nutty aroma.
2. Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the confectioner's sugar. Mixture will be thick.
3. Add the vanilla and enough water to make an icing of drizzling consistency.
Yield: 3 dozen
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