I grew up in Brooklyn, NY and every Christmas Eve we would tune the television to Channel 11 and watch this for 3 hours.

I kid you not.

It was especially cozy broadcasting out of the TV set inside of its wooden console. Like this one.

Well tonight we are going to light a real fire in one of our fireplaces and set out cookies for Santa in front of the other. (Santa also gets whiskey….my Irish husband insists that he needs it.)

These Caramel Mac Nut Chocolate Chips are incredible. Heaven in a cookie. Santa will approve.

Caramel Macadamia Nut Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
2 eggs
6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped coarse
18 caramels, chopped coarse (about 1 cup)
1 cup coarsely chopped pecans macadamia nuts
1/2 tsp vanilla

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.

2. In a bowl whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.

3. In another bowl with an electric mixer cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in flour mixture.

4. Stir chocolate, caramel, and nuts into dough and drop rounded tablespoons about 2 inches apart onto baking sheets.

5. Bake cookies in batches in middle of oven 12 to 15 minutes, or until golden. Cool cookies on baking sheets on racks until firm.

Recipe from Culinary Infatuation

Here is a song from my home in Vermont to wherever you call home. You’ve got to love the name of the band AND the name of the song.
Casiotone For The Painfully Alone-Traveling Salesman’s Young Wife Alone On Christmas In Montpelier, VT

Check out Casiotone For The Painfully Alone on Myspace and buy their music here.

Cheers and a very Happy Christmas and Happy 5th night of Hanukkah!