Admittedly, I’m a pretty sub-par baker. After subjecting my loved ones to countless batches of charred, tasteless creations, I took a hiatus from making desserts. It wasn’t until I unearthed this delicious and easy recipe from a friend’s Detroit-based cookbook, Sister Pie, that I decided to give the whole baking thing another go.
A perfect hybrid of salty and sweet, these “Robert Redford” cookies really pack a flavorful punch. Lisa Ludwinski is the best for introducing to us the goodness of an oat-based cookie loaded with pretzels, walnuts, and chocolate. This crowd-pleasing dessert pairs perfectly with a (large) glass of wine and good company.
Ingredients:
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup whole-wheat flour
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
- 1⁄8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1⁄8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 3⁄4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 3⁄4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup broken pretzel rods (½-inch pieces)
- 1 cup chopped milk chocolate (from your favorite bar)
- ½ cup coarsely chopped toasted walnuts
- Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling tops
To Make:
1.) In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose and whole-wheat flours, oats, baking powder, baking soda, kosher salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside.
2.) Place the butter and brown and granulated sugars in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and cream on medium speed until homogeneous and paste-like, about 4 minutes. You will see the mixture change from grainy and wet to fluffy and voluminous.
3.)Add the eggs and vanilla and mix on medium speed until fully combined, so for about 2 minutes. Scrape the bowl thoroughly using a silicone spatula or bowl scraper and being sure to reach underneath the paddle.
4.) Add the flour mixture slowly and mix on low speed until the flour is almost completely incorporated
5.)Add the pretzels, chopped chocolate and walnuts; mix until just combined
6.)Scrape the cookie dough from the bowl onto a big sheet of plastic wrap. Wrap the dough tightly and transfer to your refrigerator, where it should rest for at least 24 hours and up to 3 days.
7.)Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Take the dough out of the refrigerator 2 to 3 hours before baking.
8.)Once it’s pretty darn soft, use a 1⁄4-cup measure to portion the dough into 2-inch balls. Place on the baking sheets. Slightly flatten each cookie with your palm and top with a few flakes of the sea salt.
9.) Transfer the baking sheets to the oven and bake for 16 to 18 minutes, until the edges are just slightly golden.
10.)Remove the baking sheets from the oven and transfer the cookies to wire racks to cool. Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days
Finally done! Now, all that’s left to do is kick back, relax, and indulge with your closest friends or family.
About the Author
Abby Tolbert is a Marketing Coordinator at Pinhole Press. A self-proclaimed chicken tender aficionado, she loves spending her free time looking for the area’s best pub fare and taking sunny walks in Albany’s historic Washington Park.