$25,000 Pecan Carrot Cookies

$25,000 Pecan Carrot Cookies

Ingredients:
A soft carrot, coconut pecan cookie sweetened with orange frosting.

PECAN CARROT COOKIES

Cookies:
1 cup LAND O LAKES® Butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 egg
3 tablespoons orange juice
1 tablespoon grated orange peel
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup flaked coconut
1 cup coarsely chopped pecans
1 cup finely shredded carrots

Frosting:
2 cups powdered sugar
1 tablespoon grated orange peel
2 to 3 tablespoons orange juice

Preparation:
Heat oven to 350°. Combine butter, sugar and brown sugar in large mixer bowl. Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until creamy (1 to 2 minutes). Add egg, 3 tablespoons orange juice and 1 tablespoon orange peel. Continue beating until well mixed (1 to 2 minutes). Add flour, baking soda and salt. Reduce speed to low; beat until well mixed (1 to 2 minutes). Stir in coconut, pecans and carrots by hand.
Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely.
Combine powdered sugar and 1 tablespoon orange peel in small mixer bowl. Beat at low speed, adding enough orange juice for desired spreading consistency. Frost cooled cookies. If desired, top each cookie with pecan half or grated orange peel.

TIP: For thicker cookies, chill dough at least 1 hour. Roll dough into 1-inch balls.

Chef: Land O'Lakes