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AGUAYMANTO COOKIES

Makes 7

My daughter created this recipe for Christmas a few years ago. These cookies are unique, with the texture of the dried aguaymantos (golden berries or pichuberries) and the grown-up flavor of Pisco. I like to freeze the raw balls of dough for up to several months, and only bake one or two when I have a craving.

½ cup light brown sugar

¼ cup sugar

1 stick unsalted butter, softened

1 egg

1 tablespoon Pisco

1¼ cup all-purpose flour

½ teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

25 dried aguaymantos (pichuberries or golden berries), macerated overnight (or up to 3 days) in Pisco

2 ounces pecans, chopped

1. Mix the sugar, brown sugar, and butter in a bowl, with a wire whisk. Add the egg and Pisco.

2. Incorporate the flour, baking soda, and salt. Then add the macerated aguaymantos, previously drained, and the pecans.

3. Form 2-inch balls with an ice cream scoop, and put them on a baking sheet covered with silpat or parchment.

4. Put in the fridge for a couple of hours, or freeze them to bake later.

5. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Bake the cookies for 10–12 minutes.

6. If frozen, do not thaw, but bake for 15 minutes.

If you don´t want to use Pisco in this recipe, substitute with 1 teaspoon vanilla essence. Instead of aguaymantos you can use raisins, dried cherries, or dried cranberries.