Loaded Nuts Cookies

November 2019, I was in my second trimester and my sister was getting married. I was lucky enough to visit my parents in India because it was a few months before the travel restrictions and lockdowns started because of the Covid-19 pandemic. My mom used to cook me whatever I desired/ craved for. She also made me a ton of prenatal Laddus (Indian sweets). They were prepared with the goodness of nuts and ghee and filled with her love. These cookies are my way of sharing the love and care with other soon to be mamas and of course with all the foodies. 

These cookies are loaded with nuts and may take longer than the given time to bake. Make sure to keep an eye on them. Follow the tips to know if they have been baked through. Make a big batch and enjoy them with tea/ coffee. If you know someone who is expecting or is recovering postpartum show your love and care by sharing these cookies. I hope this recipe makes you feel warm and loved as I felt with my mom’s Laddus.

Ingredients:

• All-Purpose Flour - 1 ¼ cups 
• White Sugar – ½ cup 
• Brown Sugar – ½ cup packed 
• Baking Soda – ¼ teaspoon 
• Egg - 1
• Vanilla Extract - 1 teaspoon 
• Orange/ Almond Extract - 1 teaspoon 
• Butter - 8 tablespoons, at room temperature
• Desiccated Coconut – ½ cup
• Raisins – ¼ cup
• Pecans – ¼ cup, chopped
• Dried Apricots – ¼ cup, chopped
• Dried Dates – ¼ cup, chopped
• Dried Mango – ¼ cup, chopped

Tip: Measure the dry fruits after chopping them.

Recommended Reading:

• Basic Kitchen Measurements

Others:

• Parchment paper
• Baking Trays - 2
• Cooling Racks -2 
• Spatula

Directions:

• Sift - Take a large bowl and sift the dry products (All-Purpose Flour, White Sugar, Brown Sugar and Baking Soda).
• Beat - If you are making the cookie dough by hand, take another large bowl and a wooden spoon. Cream together the Butter, Egg, Orange/ Almond Extract and Vanilla and mix just until combined. If you are using a stand mixer, use the paddle attachment. Beat the Butter on lower speed for 1 to 2 minutes, and then scrape down the sides of the bowl before continuing. Add the Egg with the extracts and stir just until combined.
• Mix - Now we will start adding the dry products in the wet products. Add about 2 spoonfuls of dry products and stir gently just until combined. Continue this step till all the dry products have been mixed and a dough starts to form.
• Add the Desiccated Coconut, Raisins, Pecans with the dried fruits (Apricots, Dates, Mango) and stir until all the Nuts have been evenly distributed throughout the dough. 

• Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 2-3 hours or overnight.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. 
• Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Wash your hands then roll 1-inch balls of the dough and set them 2 inches apart on the prepared sheets. 

• Bake for 10-12 minutes in the preheated oven, until the edges turn golden-brown (the baking time may change depending on the size of the cookies you have rolled). Transfer to a cooling rack and allow them to cool.
• Enjoy the scrumptious cookies with coffee and keep the leftover cookies in an airtight cookie jar for up to 4 days.

 

How to know if the cookies are baked through:

• Before transferring the cookies to a cooling rack, push the sides of the cookie very lightly with a spatula or your finger. If the edge stays firm and doesn't fall inwards, then your cookies are done. If you leave a noticeable indentation, then your cookies need a few more minutes in the oven.
• Keep an eye on the cookies, if the edges become dark brown, they are over baked. If edges aren't golden and tops are soft and shiny, bake a little longer. When they have a firm golden edge or bottom and appear slightly set on top. Touch the top to confirm.

These cookies need a bit longer in the oven, the tops are still under baked

Love Cookies? Try these as well:

• Mixed Nuts Cookies
• Mathri (Savory Indian Cookies)
• Vanilla Biscotti
• Colorful Biscotti (with Cranberries, Pepitas and Pecans)
• Boozy Cookies
• Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies
• One Dough different Cookies
• Martha Stewart's Rugelach
• Fork Pressed Chocolate Chip Cookies
• My Scrumptious Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
• Easy Peasy Peppermint Cookies
• Shortbread Cookies with a hint of Carom Seeds