South Western Style Spicy Cookie

Here is a cookie recipe that will go with any Mexican food. I found this recipe online and had to give it a try,  because I love spicy foods.   All of her reviews were 5 stars!  I was so amazed at how good the cookies turned out.  My husband does not appreciate hot foods like I do,  but even he commented about how good they were. Lets get started.  

2 1/2 C flour
1 tsp baking soda 
1 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp ground cayenne
1/4 tsp cumin
1/2 lb butter, at room temperature
3/4 C packed brown sugar
1/4 C granulated sugar
1 pkg. (3.4 oz) Jello™ cheesecake flavored instant pudding
2 ( large) eggs room temperature 
1 tsp lime extract (I used the juice from a lime because I did not have key lime or extract)
1 large jalapeno, seeded, finely chopped (about 1/4 C)
cayenne to sprinkle on top (optional)

For the best results I always use cage free eggs and real butter.  I used salted butter in my recipe only because I did not have unsalted.  

Credits for this recipe: http://http://mexican.betterrecipes.com/jacked-up-jalapeno-cookie.html  .

Mixing bowls
Measuring cups and spoons
Regular size ice cream scoop
Cookie sheets
Cutting board
Sifter
Wooden spoon or spatula 
Mixer not shown
Knife not shown
Oven

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Wash pepper
Remove seeds and membrane
Finely dice pepper 
Measure 1/4 cup approx 1 large pepper

Sift together first six ingredients into a  large bowl. Set aside:

2 1/2 C flour
1 tsp baking soda 
1 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp ground cayenne
1/4 tsp cumin

In a large mixer bowl, beat together the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
Add instant pudding, mixing well.
Add eggs and lime extract, mixing until well blended.
Scrape down sides of bowl as necessary.
Slowly add flour, mixing well.
Add Peppers

Using a standard ice cream scoop (2 oz), or rounded spoonful, drop dough on to an un-greased cookie sheet.
Sprinkle lightly with cayenne (if desired.) I should have added the cayenne when I removed the cookies from the oven for the best results. 

For 2 oz cookie, bake at 350 degrees for 16-18 minutes.
For rounded tablespoon-sized cookies, bake 12-14 minutes.
After one minute, transfer from pan to wire rack to cool.

If you are a spicy food lover this is a must try recipe.  It has a pleasant kick at the end.  I will be adding this recipe to our families favorite cookie recipes. I think almost everyone would be able to eat this cookie because it was not overly spicy.  Kids may not like them though. My husband said: "It has a nice kick at the end, it is not too sweet and I like it because it is a chewy cookie." 

Thank you for viewing my page and please have a very pleasant day! 
Sunshiine