Crispy Chewy Apricot Raisin Cookies

Crispy Chewy Apricot Raisin Cookies

I adore dried apricots. I remember sneaking them out of the cupboard as a kid and eating them like candy, so I take any opportunity I can to add them to a Holiday baking idea.

A favorite cake at this time of year here in Newfoundland is terrifically delectable Apricot Raisin Cake which many folks always make for the holidays. I decided to take inspiration from that flavor combination to come up with these buttery, crispy, chewy cookies and the result was amazing! I haven't added any spices to this recipe, preferring to rely on the beautiful flavor of the dried fruits but a little cinnamon, ginger or nutmeg would be nice too, even a combination of any of them. Hold it down to a maximum of 1/2 tsp spices, though, you don't want to overpower the flavor of the rest of this delectable cookie.

1 1/3 cups flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup light brown sugar

1/2 cup white sugar

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract 

1 cup chopped dried apricots

1/2 cup raisins

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350. Lightly spray one cookie sheet with spray oil or line with parchment paper.

In a medium sized bowl sift together flour, salt, and baking soda.

In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla and combine thoroughly.

Add the flour mixture to the sweetened butter mixture. Mix only enough to incorporate flour. Do not over mix. Fold in the dried apricots and raisins.

Form cookies by dropping a heaping teaspoon of dough on the prepared cookie sheet two inches apart.

Bake until light brown around the edges, about 12-15 minutes, depending on cookie size.

Over baking is the biggest problem with most chewy cookies. Your oven temperature and the type of cookie sheet you use will vary the baking times considerably. When they are golden brown around the edges is the time to remove them from the oven.

Cool for 10 minutes on the baking sheet before removing to a wire rack to cool thoroughly.