The Schnabigail Cookie

I just so happen to have the best friends a girl could ask for. It is true, I tell no lies. You can't pick your family, they are kind of just thrown upon you and whether you like them or not you always love them and will always have to share your life with them...which is awesome! On the other hand, when a friend sticks by your side, and continues to share in your journey they are there by choice, and for that they are extraordinary. Does that make sense...wait I feel an analogy coming on. Imagine you live in a room with a crazy person, if you are family there is no door in or out and you have to stay there no matter what...if you are a friend there is a door, and it is open and you can come and go as you like...but you stay. That is a true friend...and yes, I am that crazy person : ), thank you for staying. : )

Now this cookie, the Schnabigail Cookie, is named after my dear friend, Abigail. We met during Freshman orientation at college, and have been friends ever since. Do you know that feeling when you meet someone and you feel this instant connection, and you just click? Or as I like to call it, "The Jane Austen Moment"...when you meet someone and immediately think, "We shall be great friends"...which is what many Austen characters seem to say when meeting a kindred spirit. We are similar in so many ways, yet differ in many respects. We are creative, we like to make things, bake things, the outdoors, adventures, road trips, Disney songs, Enrique and Jimmy Eat World, cookies, writing notes to people, taking care of people, picnics, and so may more things! I like to think that going on a road trip with someone is a real test of friendship, and I am glad to say we have survived many road adventures together!

I don't remember how or why I first called her Schnabigail, it is random, but somehow it stuck. Now whenever we would embark upon an adventure she would always come well prepared with snacks. Apples, peanut butter, cheese, and most importantly her famous trail mix! Before I met Abigail my idea of trail mix was my Mother's version which consisted of pretzels, raisins, and peanut M&M's. Abigail's version was walnuts, raisins, cranberries, and chocolate chips. She must secretly hate me, because I am pretty sure I always ended up eating most of the trail mix. I couldn't stop myself it was so darn addicting and good! Even better when left in a hot car and the chocolate became a gooey and soft, that of course made it necessary to eat more of the trail mix and faster...because we all know melted chocolate will go bad if not immediately consumed. : ) I have been thinking of creating this cookie for some time now, and am proud to say, it is done. If you have a friend you treasure you should make this cookie for them. Chances are your friend is not as awesome as my friend...just saying. She has heard me say this before, but if everyone was lucky enough to have a friend like Abigail the world would be a far better place. Rock on, rock on.

The Shnabigail Cookie

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted and browned

1 cup granulated sugar

3/4 cup brown sugar

1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

3/4 teaspoon salt

1 large egg

1 large egg yolk

1/2 cup toasted walnuts

1/2 cup raisins

1/3 cup dried cranberries

1 cup chocolate chips

Preheat to 350 degrees F. On baking sheet, spread out walnuts. Toast walnuts for about 6 minutes, until browned. Remove from the oven, place in a small bowl and let cool.

Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. The butter will begin to foam and crackle. That means that the water is evaporating from the butter. Once the crackling subsides, keep an eye on the butter. The butter solids will begin to brown. You’ll smell the butter as it browns. Once well browned, immediately remove the butter from the heat and place in a small bowl. Removing the butter from the pan will ensure that it does not continue to cook and burn in the hot pan. Allow the butter to cool for a few moments...if you don't let it cool it will turn your chocolate chips into chocolate syrup.

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside.

In the bowl of an electric stand mixer, fitted with a paddle attachment, measure granulated and brown sugar. Add the brown butter and beat together, on medium speed, for about 2 minutes.

Add the egg and egg yolk and beat on medium speed for 2 minutes. The mixture should become silky smooth. Add vanilla extract and beat.

With mixer on low speed, add the dry ingredients. Beat until just incorporated. Remove the bowl from the mixer and use a spatula to fold in the toasted walnuts, raisins, cranberries, and chocolate chips. Dough will be thick.

Cookies can be baked immediately, or the dough can be left in the refrigerator to chill for 30 minutes...do not chill longer otherwise the dough becomes dry and doesn't stick together.

Spoon balls by the tablespoonful onto the prepared baking sheets. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until golden brown but still slightly soft in the center. Remove from the oven. Allow the cookies to cool on the pan for 5 minutes, before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

Random thought: Buying new gym clothes make me want to work out. Putting on new gym clothes makes me want to eat cookies