Thursday 19 March 2009

Thick and Chewy Macadamia and White Chocolate Chip Cookies

Last Friday I took my kitten Ollie to the vets for his castration and when the vet was examining him she found a lump in his lower tummy which she didn’t like the feel of and said she wanted to investigate and run blood tests, so as you can imagine I was shocked and upset to say the least! Hubby and me waited anxiously all day and then we went to collect him in the afternoon, I knew it was bad news the minute she asked us to sit down for a chat. So to cut a long story short, my Ollie is unwell and his blood tests came back showing severe abnormalities, and she couldn’t tell what the lump was from the ultra-sound and x-rays as he has fluid around his tummy. She would have opened him up to investigate the lump further but due to his low blood count and anaemia that was a big no no. And then came the news that every cat owner doesn't want to hear, she told us that she had sent tests off for Feline Infectious Peritonitis, which I had never heard of but wasn’t sounding good at all. Basically if the test comes back positive the prognosis is bad. There is no treatment or cure and it’s a death sentence and I will have to eventually euthanize. I’ve been trying to stay positive and hope the test comes back negative but at the same time preparing myself for the worse. We find out tomorrow and I’m starting to feel anxious now, however at least we don’t have to wait all day and our appointment is at 8am, thank god! I decided to take my mind off things and bake a batch of these melt-in-the-mouth cookies that are definitely for those with a sweet tooth. I have never tried the Macadamia and White Chocolate Chip combo in cookies and I can certainly say that this won’t be the last time, they are so yummy!


Thick and Chewy Macadamia and White Chocolate Chip Cookies

Makes about 24 cookies

Ingredients
2 cups (10⅔oz) plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
12 tbsp/1½ sticks/170g unsalted butter, melted and cooled
1 cup packed (7 oz) light brown sugar
½ cup (3½ oz) granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
2 tsp vanilla extract
1½ cup (9 oz) white chocolate chips
1 cup macadamia nuts, chopped

Adjust the oven racks to the upper- and lower-middle positions and heat the oven to 165oC/145oC fan oven/ 325 degrees/ Gas Mark 3. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper. Whisk the flour, baking soda, and salt together in a medium bowl.

In a large bowl, beat the melted butter and sugars together with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth, 1 or 2 minutes. Beat in the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla until combined, about 30 seconds, scraping down the bowl and beater as needed.

Reduce the mixer speed to low and slowly add the flour mixture until combined, about 30 seconds. Mix in the chips and nuts until incorporated.

Working with 2 tablespoons of dough at a time, roll the dough into balls and lay them on the prepared baking sheets, spaced about 2 inches apart. Bake the cookies, one sheet at a time, until the edges are set and beginning to brown but the centers are still soft and puffy, 15 to 20 minutes.

Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes, then serve warm or transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely.

I'll let you all know the outcome of the test and visit to the vets tomorrow. Please keep everything crossed for us!

20 comments:

Anna's kitchen table said...

Oh, I'm so sorry to hear your news , hugs from me ((()))

from one cat-lover to another.

Arundathi said...

oh i hope everything goes really well! the cookies look fabulous!

Maria said...

Nice cookies. I am always in the mood for a good cookie! Sorry to hear, I hope everything goes well!

Anonymous said...

Many prayers and positive thoughts going your way; we're all wishing for the best. And these cookies! I can almost taste them! Wish I was there.
Love,
Patty
xo

Bea Roque said...

Ay mi pobre niño Olly........siento mucho las noticias......pero esperaré hasta mañana hasta oir tus noticias, que espero de corazón que sean buenas.... Un beso muy fuerte y ánimo. Bea

Sweet and Simple Bakes said...

As you know Maria I am feel so sad about the news of little Ollie and I do hope that the news will be good tomorrow!! I have my fingers - toes crossed here and have said little prayers for our little chap.

The cookies look fabulous sweetie and I just happen to have some white choccie and nuts in ;0)

Try and keep positive and you know where I am if you need a chat anytime!

Hugs Rosie x

Finla said...

So sorry to hear about ollie.
Hoope the results will be good news.
Love the cookies.
I am trying to bake less these days as am on a diet. So i only bake fro sunday ccoffee.

The Food Librarian said...

I'm sorry to hear about your cute kitty. My thoughts are with you and your family.

Dewi said...

Hello Maria, it's my first time here, and I am sold after seeing the photograph of you kitty. Anyway, your cookies looks pretty scrumptious.
Cheers,
elra

Reeni said...

These are one of my favorite cookies. I love Macadamia nuts!

I am in tears over sweet, sweet Ollie. My kitty was very sick a while back and the vet told me he could die at any second. I remember how devastating it was. Our cats are part of our families, right? I'm praying for beautiful Ollie. And will hold my breath until I hear the news, the GOOD news.

Reeni said...

I'm sending hugs to you and Ollie.

Maria♥ said...

Thanks everyone for all the kind words and support, it's a great comfort to me. I've been getting teary this evening and upset thinking about the day to come tomorrow and what it will bring!

Hugs
Maria
xx

The Girl said...

I have got absolutely everything crossed for you. I'm so sorry and I know exactly how you feel because we went through the same thing with a little kitten we got a year or so ago. It's the worst feeling in the world having to sit and wait for the news.

I'll be thinking of you and hope everything turns out well for you.

Caroline said...

I really hope you get good news tomorrow and that Ollie will be ok. Thinking of you.

Nic said...

Oh how sad, I'm so sorry to read this. Hope the news is good.

jo oliver said...

OMG these look great. Hope all goes well!

Whats Cookin Italian Style Cuisine said...

very sad news I have two cats and have lost many over the years, not to this one, have never heard of it. They are our babies no matter what, prayers with you...good luck I am a huge fan of these cookies and they look, but after reading this its too sad, will have to bookmark for another time.... good lucj to you I am a huge cat lover!

Anonymous said...

These are the best Macadamia nut cookies ever! I baked another recipe and no comparison to this one...PERFECT

Anonymous said...

This is a perfect recipe... I made them for my friends the other day - they were gone in 10 minutes! Thanks for the great recipe!

Anonymous said...

Perfect recipe....everyone loves them! Big thank you