MACADAMIA NUT COOKIES WITH LEMON AND WHITE CHOCOLATE

INGREDIENTS

• ½ cup plus 2 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• ⅔ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 ½ teaspoon lemon zest
• 1 ¾ cup plus 2 tablespoon plain flour spooned and leveled
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ cup toasted macadamia nuts, chopped
• ½ cup white chocolate chips

METHOD

1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees
2. Place macadamia nuts in a single layer on a prepared tray lined with baking paper and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until they become fragrant and lightly browned
3. Immediately remove the roasted nuts from the oven and place in a bowl

To make the cookies:

1. Reduce the oven to 160 degrees and line a baking tray with baking paper
2. Place the softened butter, sugars, egg, vanilla extract, and lemon zest in a separate bowl to the macadamia nuts and beat using an electric hand mixer on medium speed until light and creamy
3. Add the flour and baking powder to the rest of the ingredients and mix on low speed until just combined
4. Roughly chop the roasted macadamia nuts and add to the batter along with the white chocolate chips, stir in until evenly mixed
5. Scoop up the cookie batter using a spoon to your desired size and place onto the lined baking paper leaving enough room for the cookies to spread
6. Bake for 16-18 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown
7. Lift the macadamia cookies using the baking paper and move to a wire rack or cutting board to cool