FRANK BRIGSTEN’S CHRISTMAS COOKIES

Frank Brigtsen's Christmas Cookies
Makes 4 dozen

1/4 pound unsalted butter, softened

3/4 cup light brown sugar, tightly packed

1 egg

2 tablespoons pure vanilla extract

1/3 cup finely chopped dried figs

1/3 cup finely chopped dates

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 cup grated coconut

1/2 cup granola

3/4 cup coarsely chopped pecans

3/4 cup peanut butter chips

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

In electric mixer with wire whisk attached, beat butter and brown sugar on low until creamy and smooth, one to two minutes. Add egg and vanilla and beat on medium speed for about two minutes. Add figs and dates and beat on high speed until light and creamy, two to three minutes.

In a mixing bowl, thoughly blend flour, baking soda, salt and baking powder. Add to butter and sugar mixture and beat on low speed until thoroughly incorporated. Fold in coconut, granola, pecans, peanut butter chips and chocolate chips.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. On buttered cookie sheets, place one tablespoon of cookie batter for each cookie, spacing them about two inches apart. Bake at 350 degrees until lightly browned, 12 to 15 minutes. When done, transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool.