I couldn’t be more excited that the holidays are on their way! It’s time for me to stock up on baking supplies, pull out the family recipe cards, and plan all of my yearly baking and homemade gift giving.
One of my favorite traditions is baking a variety of family Christmas cookie recipes to wrap up and give as gifts to family and friends. I come from a long line of bakers on both sides of my family and the recipes that have been passed down to me are like bits of my own personal treasure.
It’s easy to see how a classic family recipe can be a powerful tool in making a holiday feel like a tradition, something to be treasured and passed down for generations. This year I was lucky enough to receive the recipe for my Great Grandma’s Chocolate Pecan Parfait Cookies. Layers of chewy buttery cookie, melted chocolate, and toasted pecans, cut into hearty squares. This cookie is absolutely irresistible! I can see why it’s lasted the test of time in the recipe boxes of my family members. Do you have a classic family recipe you make each year?
{photos by Freutcake}
Chocolate Pecan Parfait Cookies- adapted slightly from my Great Granny Ollie
1 cup butter
1 cup light brown sugar
1 egg yolk
1 tsp. salt
2 cups all-purpose flour- sifted
2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
8 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips
8 oz. bittersweet chocolate chips
1 cup Diamond of California Pecans- toasted & chopped
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Spray a 15” baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.
3. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Mix in egg yolk, salt and vanilla, scraping down sides of the bowl.
5. Mix in sifted flour just until combined.
6. Spread cookie dough out onto greased baking sheet with a small rubber spatula. (Be patient, this step takes some time)
7. Bake cookie 15-20 minutes or until golden.
8. In microwave, melt chocolate chips in 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth.
9. In a small pan, toast Diamond of California Pecans on the stove top, stirring frequently until fragrant. Remove from heat and chop.
10. Remove cookie from oven and spread melted chocolate on top, coating evenly.
11. Sprinkle with toasted Diamond of California Pecans.
12. Allow cookie to cool completely before cutting into squares.
This post is sponsored by Diamond Nuts of Callifornia. All opinions are my own. #diamondnuts
Emily Lynne / The Best of this Life says
These must be sensational! They just scream Christmas!! Thanks for sharing your Great Granny's recipe with us 🙂
freutcake says
Thank you Emily! They really are the perfect Christmas-y cookie. 😉 Aren't old family recipes the best?!
Kelsey @ K&K Test Kitchen says
These look fantastic Leah! There is definitely something special about using family recipes that have been passed down through the generations. Most of my holiday baking will consist of recipes from my Great Grandma Rose, she was seriously a baking genius.
freutcake says
Kelsey, there must be something behind the magic of Grandma & Great Grandma recipe! They are simply the best. Thank goodness for passing down traditions and classic family recipes!
Natalia Velez Ireland says
I love Diamond nuts. I am obsessed with the Salt n' Vinegar and the Roasted Honey. This recipe is awesome Leah!
freutcake says
Thank you Natalia! I love the roasted honey as well! I haven't tried the salt n' vinegar but they sound divine. 😉
comodore says
These look glorious!
Carla says
These look great! My family loves pecan and I am thinking this would be a great Thanksgiving desert at the In-Laws!
xoxo
christmaskitty says
Great Granny Ollie had some great recipes. These are delicious. Love the way you photographed them too!
Alli says
I love family recipes, they bring so much memories. Every holiday I make sweet potato pie or peach cobbler like my grandma did. I don't have the recipe because my grandma couldn't tell the exact measurements. So I have to guess and hope it taste like grandma's.
Thanks for sharing this recipe.
lexi (@glitterinclexi) says
I big fat resounding yes to these cookies - they look amazing! And I love old family recipes -- clearly they must be the best!
Lexi @ Glitter, Inc.
sharonda Flynn says
Great recipe my love;-)
I will have to try these when my mom comes to visit so we can make them together.
She Shakes says
Looks delicious! 🙂
Amanda @ Once Upon a Recipe says
Leah, these cookies look absolutely mouthwatering! I love a good buttery cookie, and chocolate? It just makes everything better! I'm definitely pinning this recipe for future trying. And thank you for the reminder to get my butt in gear for the holiday season! 😉
freutcake says
They really are delicious! I hope you like them as much as I do.
Coco Draws says
Your blog is lovely! 🙂
freutcake says
My goodness so is yours! I'm so glad you stopped by and said hello. 🙂