Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Toffee Pecan Cookies and a Giveaway


Every once in a while an email lands in my inbox that gets me excited just by reading the subject line. This was the case when Elizabeth from Tate's Bake Shop contacted me to inquire if I was interested in reviewing some of their cookies and cookbook. Cookies and a cookbook, ummm, yes please! What made this even more exciting was the fact that I had known of Tate's Bake Shop cookies for quite some time, but have never had the pleasure of trying them myself. The bakery was founded by Kathleen King and is located in Southhampton, NY. The cookies are actually quite famous and have been featured in Everyday with Rachael Ray Magazine, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal and InStyle Magazine, just to name a few.



The package arrived promptly and I couldn't wait to taste test. Of course, I had my trusty crew (my husband and kids) help me with this enormous "chore".  The first thing I recognized when opening the cookies was the fact that not one of them were broken or chipped, which might be due to the fact that they are all hand-packed with care. They contain all natural ingredients that you can taste with every bite. The cookies are actually quite flat and crispy compared to most cookies my family has been used to.  The smell is incredible on these cookies, they are buttery with lovely caramel undertones. Considering the cookies my family usually prefers, it was quite a surprise of how quickly they were gone, but they were quite addicting. The front runner by far were the White Chocolate Chip Macadamia Nut cookies, followed by the Chocolate Chip and then Oatmeal Raisin. My husband and I really loved the Oatmeal Raisin since it has the perfect amount of spice to it without any of them standing out or being overpowering, but the kids crowned both of the chocolate varieties the winner. 



I've also had the pleasure of reviewing Kathleen Kings cookbook. There are quite a few recipes inside that I have bookmarked already. All of the recipes are down to earth with readily available ingredients. When trying to figure out which one to bake first I was faced with quite a hard decision, but ended up picking the Toffee Pecan Cookies. They sounded perfect for the season and quite frankly, ended up being absolutely divine. My daughter, exclaimed that these cookies are so awesome you don't even miss the fact that they don't include chocolate, while my youngest proclaimed "now that is a good cookie, it tastes just like a cookie should", which is pretty much the highest compliment ever from a 9 year old boy ;o)



The cookie and cookbook review was made just a little sweeter since Tate's Bake Shop is also giving away the same cookie gift-pack and cookbook to one lucky reader. Keep them for yourself, or give them as a gift, the choice is yours.

*This Giveaway is Closed*

To enter the giveaway here is what you need to do (Please leave a SEPARATE comment for each entry):

To enter: Since 'tis the season, let me know your favorite cookie to eat or bake during the Holidays in the comments section

For Bonus Entries (again, please use separate comments):


If you play along you can get up to 6 entries for this giveaway
  • Giveaway is open to U.S. Residents only, no P.O. Boxes please
  • Giveaway is open until Monday, December 13th at Midnight Pacific time
  • I will pick a winner via Random.org and will announce the winner on Tuesday, December 14th

Also, Tate's Bake Shop has graciously offered a 15% off coupon for all of you readers through the 31st of December. All you have to do is enter the code "cookie" during check-out on their website



Toffee Pecan Cookies 

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 cups instant quick oats
1 cup salted butter, softened to room temperature
1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
1/4 cup white sugar
1 egg
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup pecans, chopped
2 cups toffee bits


Preparation:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease two cookie sheet or line them with Silpat (parchment paper will work as well).

In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and oatmeal. Set it aside.

In another large bowl, cream the butter and sugars till creamy. Add the egg and mix well. Add the vanilla and mix. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and mix again.

Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and beat them till they are combined. Don't overmix. Stir in the toffee bits and pecans.

Using two tablespoons, drop the cookie dough two inches apart onto prepared cookie sheet.

Bake them for 12 to 15 minutes for chewy cookies and 18 to 20 minutes for crunchy cookies. The crunchy cookies will be browner in the middle and firmer to the touch.

Adapted from: Tate's Bake Shop Cookbook

102 comments:

  1. I have heard the buzz about Tate's on many blogs, so I am VERY interested in winning the giveaway!! Hmm, favorite cookie... have to go with my family tradition of gingersnaps from the American Heritage cookbook. Old school, buttery, spicy cookies :) I am also making a new orange butter cookie with Cointreau glaze for an upcoming party, so that might become a new favorite! The dough was delicious!

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  2. I am also a current fan of yours on Facebook!

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  3. ...and I just became a FB fan of Tate's Bake Shop!

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  4. i love experimenting and baking all sorts of cookies, but classic chocolate chip is always a favorite!

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  5. Oh my these cookies look wonderful. Oatmeal and toffee bits...excellent combination. Hmmm...a favorite cookie for the season...I'm not sure that I can narrow that down to one. ;) Gingerbread cookies are high on the list though.

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  6. My favorite Christmas cookie? If I had to choose only one, I guess I'd say rosemary shortbread. Your toffee pecan cookies look pretty delicious!

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  7. Susi, I have been following your blog for a long time. The first post of yours I ever saw was for "Block Party Beans". I thought the name was so cute, I made the beans which were delicious, and I have been a fan ever since. Your beautiful photography certainly helps!

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  8. Don't count me as part of the giveaway because I am hosting one of my own right now,too. I just wanted to agree with you that this is a great cookbook. There are so many recipes I want to still try.

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  9. Toffee cookies are some of my favorites for sure. My favorite Christmas cookie, based on tradition, is the peanut butter blossom. I'm so glad you received a copy of this book. It looks like a good one!

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  10. And, I like Susi's on fb.

    Take care -

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  11. I usually say shortbread, but I just baked a batch of my caramel nut bars so now they are on my mind. It's a toss up!
    Your cookies look fab, Susi!

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  12. I already follow you on Twitter!

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  13. Mmmm! Beautiful book! And gorgeous cookies!
    My favorite holiday cookie is a Molasses Spice Cookie. I only make it during the holidays, which when I think about it is really silly as it's one of my favorites!!

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  14. And I already follow you!

    Good to "see" you BTW, Susi!!

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  15. Tate's Bake Shop makes chocolate chip cookies just the way I like them... crisp! Those toffee pecan cookies sound and look incredible! I have yet to make any cookies this holiday season and it's long overdue. My favorite holiday cookie are almond cookies. Yummy! Looking forward to the cookie plates here in a couple of weeks!

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  16. I am already a FOLLOWER as well... food stalker if you will, haha!

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  17. Part of this was easy... I liked Tate's on Facebook.

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  18. Liking you on Facebook wasn't so easy. I tried about 10 ways and couldn't get your profile to come up and couldn't get the link to work... If you'll go in and like me at Kateiscooking, I'll be able to like you :-) thanks!! Kate

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  19. And, I've been a follower for a long time! Love your blog :-) Kate

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  20. I love snickerdoodles the most, as well as almond crescents. :)

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  21. One of my friends just told me yesterday that my Compost Cookie tasted like a Tate's and I was very happy to hear it. FYI - my fav holiday cookie is TX millionaires. Mmmm!

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  22. I'm also having a Tate's giveaway today, ha ha! Well, let's see, my favorite holiday cookie is the peanut butter cookie with a chocolate kiss in the center. Yum! Thanks for sharing this giveaway today, Susi!

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  23. My favorite cookie to bake (and eat) is gingerbread men!

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  24. decorated sugar cookies will always be my favorite :)

    jpinnick86 AT gmail DOT com

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  25. hmm, during the holidays: my mother's simple sugar cookies with confectioners sugar icing. My all-time favorite to make: chocolate chip! And Tate's are the best anytime.

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  26. already a tate's follower on facebook!

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  27. and now like you as well on facebook!

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  28. Toffee pecan cookies sound amazing! My favorite holiday cookie to bake is a chocolate cookie with a Rolo baked in the center!

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  29. My favorite holiday treat is the "Cornflake Wreaths" that my Mom makes. I've tried to duplicate them but fail every time!

    I follow Tate's on FB, about to follow you on FB, Twitter and gonna Tweet about it too!

    Thanks for the opportunity!

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  30. I am a follower and sort of need these cookies in my life!

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  31. so good to see you back to blogging! My favorite cookie both to bake and eat? shortbread!

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  32. And I already like Tate's bakery on facebook

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  33. And I'm already following you through google friends connect :)

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  34. And I'm a fan of you on facebook too!

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  35. I love raspberry kiss cookies that my mom makes at Christmas time.

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  36. I am following you on Twitter.

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  37. And I retweeted the giveaway!

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  38. Dang, I wish I got cookies in the mail! I was just thinking of making toffee cookies, they are one of my dad's favorites! Thanks for the recipe!

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  39. It would not be Christmas w/out two Slovakian cookies from my maternal grandmother's recipes, i.e., apricot cookies and Christmas Cherries. The latter are a delectable cookie w/ nuts and candied cherry.

    Thank you for the giveaway.

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  40. Of course I follow your blog via GFC.

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  41. Yep, I follow you on Twitter. @cspod

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  42. Tweeted: http://twitter.com/cspod/statuses/12763645024931840

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  43. I follow you on twitter but have been trying for months to like you on FB. Whenever I try to click the icon on your side bard, it directs me to my home page :(

    THose cookies look FAB, btw!!

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  44. My favorite cookie is a decorated cookie...I love to sit and make them, and I really love to sit and eat them!

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  45. cookies look delicious lovely giveaway Susi

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  46. I just received my own package from Tate's. I made their carrot muffins and I'm posting about them tomorrow. SO very good! Thanks for sharing with me, my friend. Have a wonderful end to your week!

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  47. I followed you with Google Connect !

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  48. My favorite is chocolate chip. Simple. I know.

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  49. Lovely giveaway.. My favorite cookies is choco chip cookies...

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  50. What scrumptious cookies Suzi! I love the cookbook - I want to make just about everything in it! (Please don't enter me - I had a giveaway too).

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  51. Ok, these look super yum. I've recently discovered that I am in love with toffee. However, my top holiday treat remains raspberry shortbread... though maybe these cookies will be up there soon!?

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  52. And I'm now following you on Twitter-- @pesto_chango

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  53. I love baking sugar cookies around this time of year because they're so yummy, and they are so fun to decorate!

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  54. These cookies look good! Great review:) My favorite cookie is the Chunky Twix Cookies that just made for my husband, they are to die for! :)

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  55. I already follow you on Google Friends!

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  56. i love ginger cookies during the holidays! Making them AND eating them.

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  57. I don't have a favorite cookie - just glad for the excuse to bake lots of different kinds!!

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  58. I've never met a cookie I didn't like. These sound wonderful, and I will be trying them before the holidays are here. Thanks for sharing.

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  59. Mmm, my absolute favorite cookies during the holiday season are snickerdoodles! =)

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  60. Already a fan of Tate's on FB (Ashley So)! =)

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  61. I love monster cookies with holiday colored M&Ms!

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  62. Liked you and added you to my favorite pages on Facebook.

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  63. I love baking oatmeal white chocolate cranberry orange cookies...whew! That's a mouthful, but they are delicious.

    cereza25 at yahoo dot com

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  64. I follow on Twitter.

    cereza25 at yahoo dot com

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  65. Tweeted about the giveaway:

    http://twitter.com/GoddessFoodie/status/13796765333458944

    cereza25 at yahoo dot com

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  66. I like you on Facebook.

    cereza25 at yahoo dot com

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  67. I'm a follower and I would love to win this!!!

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  68. I also follow you through Google Friend Connect :)

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  69. I've only had Twitter for a few minutes but I'm now following you!

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  70. My finally, my favorite cookie to eat during this season is Ina Garten's ultimate ginger cookies! And I use 2/3 whole grain flour and you can't even tell. They're amazing.

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  71. I liked Tates on facebook!
    cher_theblondeprincess@hotmail.com

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  72. My favorite cookie is Sugar Cookie!!!

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  73. I am a GFC Follower
    cher_theblondeprincess@hotmail.com

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  74. My favorite cookie to make this time of year is an icebox cookie with dried cherries and almonds. It is delicious and easy!

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  75. Mrs. Del Sandro's Favorite Cookie this time of year is Chocolate no-bakes with peanutbutter in them

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  76. I think I'm already friends with you on Facebook.

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  77. I have a link to your blog posted on the desktop of my computer. :)

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