Brazilnut Cookies

---

This cookie is like the ultimate hermit. Chockful of nuts and fruit it is chewy and fragrant and screams of the winter holiday season. I like to keep them small and serve them in the afternoon with a strong cup of Darjeeling tea or hot chocolate for the children. 

• 1 lb pitted dates

• ¼ lb brazil nuts, chopped

• ¼ lb candied pineapple

• ¼ lb slivered almonds

• ¼ lb dried cherries

• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, soft

• 1 cup sugar

• 1 1/3 cup flour

• ¾ tsp baking soda

• ¾ tsp sea salt

• ¾ tsp cinnamon

• 2 eggs

• ½ tsp vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 place the brazil nuts and almonds on two separate trays and roast in the oven until just golden 5-8mins. Brazil nuts will probably take longer than the almonds, hence the two trays. Let the nuts cool then mix together in a bowl with the dates, cherries, pineapple and half of the flour. Mix together the remaining flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Cream together the butter and sugar 3-4mins until light and add the eggs continue beating to blend gradually stir the flour mixture and then add the dried fruit and nut mixture until totally combined. drop the cookie batter by the teaspoonful onto greased or parchment lined baking sheets. Bake for 10 – 12mins until slightly golden.