Salted Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies

Today, Nick and I have been married for 9 years. Together for 10 and a half.

Exactly one-third of my life has been spent with him and to be honest, I don’t know how I got through the first 2/3 without him. It feels like he’s always been here, that we’ve known each other since the beginning, but I know that he tricked me into going out with him the first time…and that makes me love our story even more.

Have I told that story? I don’t think I have. Maybe I’ll save that for next year on our 10th anniversary.

The best lessons I’ve learned in 9 years of marriage:

Don’t go to bed angry. You won’t sleep well and nothing gets solved.

Laugh, every day, at something, together. When you goof off and have fun together, every day turns out to be a good day.

Keep the little things exactly what they are – the little things. Pick your battles and let the rest go. It’s not worth it to fight about things that don’t really matter in the long run. (Side note: I’m a total peace-maker and hate confrontation, so this works well for me).

Go on dates as much as you can – to a movie, dinner out, a walk in the park, a concert, whatever. Find what makes you both happy and keep doing it.

Let him watch his shows, too. I’m not the biggest fan of Gold Rush or Yukon Men or watch-some-guy-work-on-a-truck, but I’m okay having those as background noise while I read or blog until something I want to watch is on. I watch Gold Rush on Fridays until Fashion Police comes on – it works well. And we only have one tv and no dvr, so it’s every man for himself in our house.

Let your husband do what he’s good at and enjoys. If that means pulling an old jeep apart for fun…that’s great. If it means going hunting or kayaking or mountain biking, go for it. Those might not all be things I like, but that’s okay – if it’s not, it gives me time to do something I like….like shopping.

Making big breakfasts together on the weekends is one of the best things in life, I think. Hanging out with coffee or tea, good music, and biscuits/pancakes/omelets sets the tone for the weekend. Lazy mornings at home are my favorite.

If you like coffee, learn how to make good coffee. It makes a huge difference.

Cuddle.

Take naps together whenever possible. Sunday afternoons are the best, followed closely by rainy day naps. Extra points if it’s a rainy Sunday.

Don’t underestimate the power and love of a fresh batch of cookies.

At only 9 years, I can’t say that we’re experts but we’ve made it through these past few years pretty much unscathed.

I think it’s an equal part incredible parents and families + a good sense of humor (for both of us) + lots of cookies for the bad times.

We’ve had great years and really, really tough ones. But I know he has my back and I have his. And as long as the cookies keep coming, we’ll be good, no matter what gets thrown at us.

For as much as I talk about cookies here, it’s only right that I have a cookie recipe to share today. When I first started cooking a few years ago, I didn’t think I’d be making cookies as often as I do, but it’s one of Nick’s favorite desserts – ever – and is super easy (thank goodness!).

I will almost always pick a classic chocolate chip cookie over any other kind, but Nick likes to have walnuts or pecans added in every now and then. And this batch turned out so good that I had to post. They’re not too different from your typical chocolate chip cookie recipe, but the coconut oil, extra chocolate, toasted pecans, and sea salt make them special.

It’s totally okay to have a cookie cake for an anniversary, right? I may need to make one.

Salted Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies
Makes: 3-4 dozen cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 stick butter, softened to room temperature
• 1/2 cup coconut oil
• 1 cup Dixie Crystals brown sugar
• 1/2 cup Dixie Crystals sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup white whole wheat flour
• 1 1/4 cup all purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 2 tsp sea salt
• 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup chopped pecans

Directions:

1. Place a small skillet over medium heat and add the chopped pecans. Toast, stirring frequently, 5-10 minutes until you can smell the pecans and they are warmed through. Remove the pan from heat.
2. In a large bowl, cream the butter, coconut oil, and sugars together (with a stand mixer or hand mixer) and mix for 3-5 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy.
3. Add in the vanilla and the eggs, one at a time.
4. Pour the whole wheat flour into the dough and blend. Then add the all purpose flour, baking soda, and salt until everything is mixed together.
5. Fold in the chocolate chips and pecans.
6. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and drop dough by the tablespoon onto a baking sheet 2 inches apart.
7. Bake 10-12 minutes or until golden around the edges.

I have an ongoing partnership with Dixie Crystals. All recipes and opinions are my own, as always.

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