White Chocolate Chip Candy Cane (or Macadamia Nut) Cookies

Around Christmastime a coworker brought in a big batch of white chocolate chip candy cane cookies. I had never had these before, and I brought a couple home to my boys. They loved them and it was obvious we had to make our own -- in fact, Zeke declared them his favorite cookies ever!

Aaron suggested using a white chocolate macadamia nut cookie dough instead of a traditional chocolate chip cookie dough, which was a great idea. I used the recipe at http://www.annies-eats.com/2013/02/22/white-chocolate-chunk-macadamia-nut-cookies, with a couple of changes. I was intrigued by how she suggested to shape the cookies... and pleasantly surprised to find that it does make for pretty cookies.

1 stick (1/2 c) unsalted butter, softened
1/2 c granulated sugar
1/4 c packed brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 + 1/8 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1.5 c flour
1/2 bag white chocolate chips
1/4 c chopped candy canes (or heaping 1/4 c macadamia nuts)

Cream butter and sugars until well blended. Add vanilla and mix well. Add egg and mix well. Add dry ingredients (baking soda, baking powder, salt, flour) and mix until well combined. Add chocolate chips and candy canes and mix until thoroughly distributed. cover and refrigerate for at least an hour.

Grease cookie sheets or line with parchment. Form cookies by rolling about 1/4 c of dough into a ball, then separating into two pieces. Place 'jagged' sides up on the cookie sheet. Bake for 11-12 minutes or until just set (but still flexible) and just barely starting to brown. Let cool for a few minutes on the cookie sheet, then transfer to a wire rack.

Makes about 2.5 dozen