Whiskey-Cherry-Pecan Cookies

 Amy’s Cooking Adventures is hosting the March feature film with P.S. I Love You.    P.S. I Love You  was filmed in 2007 and was totally off my radar.  Not sure why???   So, I was glad for Amy’s recommendation.  I was a bit perplexed why this film was not chosen for the February Food ‘n Flix feature but after viewing, I know it’s perfect for March because of the Irish setting and the Irish-American family.   So, I’m posting my recipe and review on St. Patrick’s Day!

The film stars some beautiful people:  Gerard Butler and Hilary Swank.   Gerry (Butler) and Holly (Swank) are a young married couple very much in love.  The film begins with a flashback of some pretty volatile  verbal fighting but Gerry and Holly always make up.     With a gut punch, the viewer is then landed at Gerry’s funeral.   Gerry has died of a brain tumor and Holly is left without the love of her life.   She begins to isolate herself and wallow in her despair and widowhood.   Luckily for her, she has her mother (Kathy Bates) and two good friends (Lisa Kudrow and Gina Gershon) to pull her out of her funk.    Harry Connick, Jr. makes an appearance as an inappropriate truth-utterer and a possible love interest.  (Honestly, I like Harry but this character was a bit of additional fluff that wasn’t needed.)  

Gerry knows his love well and realizes early in his diagnosis that he needs a future plan to make her live life and move on.  On her thirtieth birthday, she starts receiving letters from Gerry, challenging her to tasks.   He encourages (or makes her) do everything from buying a table side lamp to conquering karaoke.

Forgive me, but I watched the film (in late January because I honestly thought it was the February FnF film) AND then I read the book for Lit Happens, an online book club that some of the FnF and Cook the Books pals are in.  I may have confused and interspersed plot details from the novel here.  (Actually, I liked the film better than I liked the novel which is hardly ever the case.)

I found the film extremely sad but uplifting at the same time.  It’s hard to imagine Holly’s grief.  The hardest task that Gerry commands is for her to get rid of all of his stuff.  (I think this was the second letter—that’s too early.)   I know that I would have ignored that request.  I need mementos.

“You have to have a plan.”

This quote from the film sums up Gerry’s letters.  He knows that Holly will disappear if she does not have a purpose.  His letters give her that.    Holly would like to stay in her hermit-like squalor, without a job and without a husband and without hope.  Being insane with grief is an option for her.  Again her friends are also instrumental to bringing her out:  “You gotta be rich to be insane, Hol. Losing your mind is not a luxury for the middle class.”

There’s a lot that I found disturbing in the film as I personalized her situation and tried to imagine….  I don’t know that I could have pulled out of the depression.   One scene that particular grated on my nerves was the disastrous lunch with Daniel.   Holly’s asked, “Just you on your own then?”  I hate that.  I want to scream, “Yes, it’s just me. Got a problem with that?”   (Why is it odd for women to dine alone—that’s another whole tangent/rant.)

That’s it for my rambling review.  I would recommend the film with that old “chick flick” caveat.

The Food

I did view the film with my foodie goggles on.   Here’s what I spotted:

  • Sabrett hotdogs (opening credits)
  • Vegetable tray
  • Funeral buffet food
  • Jameson Whiskey (of course)
  • Steamed broccoli
  • Pints
  • Birthday cake on Holly’s 30th birthday
  • Lemon Drops and tequila at gay bar
  • Martini and more pints at the pub
  • Domino sugar packets and Compari in bar’s supply closet
  • Heaping bowl of frosted chex cereal
  • Coffee in the hospital after terrible karaoke incident
  • Cocktail peanuts, Budweiser, martinis
  • Corned beef sandwiches
  • Salad, mashed potatoes (other indistinguishable foods)
  • Dates and oranges (on cottage table)
  • Guinness (of course)
  • Jar of something in the boat—olives?
  • Spaghetti  and wine
  • More Jamesons (of course)

Corned beef was definitely an option as I knew I wanted to post on St. Paddy’s Day, but instead I wanted to make something quick and sweet and delicious—with whiskey.   I created these cookies for an Irish treat.   (Sorry they’re not green, but I just hate fake coloring.)

 

 

Whiskey-Cherry-Pecan Cookies

Based on Chocolate Chip Cookies with Tennessee Whiskey

If you’re making these for St. Patrick’s Day, definitely use Irish Whiskey.

Ingredients

  • 1 c. unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 c. granulated sugar
  • 1 c. light brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/4 c. Irish Whiskey (like Jameson)
  • 1 t. pure vanilla extract
  • 2 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
  • 1 t. baking soda
  • 1 t. Kosher salt
  • 1 c. dried tart cherries, chopped
  • 1/2 c. pecans, chopped

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350F.
  2. Cream butter and sugars together for about 3 minutes (until fluffy).  Add eggs one at a time and continue to beat well until incorporated.
  3.  Add whiskey and vanilla extract; beat until smooth.
  4. In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt.  Carefully incorporate into cookie dough until just mixed.
  5. Add the cherries and pecans and mix slightly.
  6. Place one inch balls (or use a cookie scoop) onto silpat or parchment lined baking sheets.
  7. Bake in preheated oven for 10-15 minutes or until golden brown.

Yield: 30-36 cookies

Don’t be worried about the amount of booze in these cookies.   It just adds a touch of…something.  These are a good chewy cookie with a hint of butterscotch goodness.   I’m assuming the whiskey attributed to that richness.  It’s also a versatile recipe.  For instance, I think white chocolate chips would be a great addition.  I also think dried apricots would work great!   When making these again, I will amp up the pecan amount.

Back to the film, I LOVED the music!.   I mean, I was humming songs for days.   Here’s a link to the songs featured on the soundtrack:  https://www.what-song.com/Movies/Soundtrack/368/PS-I-Love-You.

Again, thanks Amy for hosting.   Glad I watched it!

Plan on joining Food ‘n Flix for April.   Peter Rabbit is the film and Literature and Limes is hosting.  Should be fun!  Hop on over to Literature and Limes for more details (around April 1).  Hope to see you there!

18 comments to Whiskey-Cherry-Pecan Cookies

  • I don’t think I have ever had cookies made with whiskey. I love these with the combo of cherries and pecans. Save me one for my tea 🙂 please!

  • Whiskey and pecans (or walnuts) are a great pairing! And I happen to have some Irish whiskey on hand today. Maybe whip up a batch of these for dessert today? 🙂 Good stuff — thanks.

  • Pam

    Oh la la! Woo hoo! Love these cookies and I will be trying them some day! Whiskey in them, sounds good to me! Sounds like an interesting movie even if it is sad, the actors are all good ones and I will look around for it! I kind of laughed when you said, “Why is it odd for women to dine alone?” I’ve talked about that many times; my mother when my dad was on a business trip, had no qualms about going out to eat dinner by herself, she enjoyed it. It took me many many years to learn to eat alone in a restaurant by myself any time of the day. I always admired mom for that, and by the sound of it, you too! Good post, Debra!

    • For the past three years (pre COVID), I found myself traveling a lot for a new job. It got some getting used to, but I started to like my dining solo time. Your mom sounds like a confident woman! Thanks, Pam!

  • Pam

    Oh, forgot—cherries, it’s all about the cherries too and I’ve got all the ingredients on hand. Printed!

  • THese look delicious! Thanks for participating in the book and the movie!

    • Enjoyed both. I wish I had been more organized and been able to post something about the book as well. There’s just too much to read and recipe about! 🙂

  • mae

    Whiskey in cookies? Reminds me of the line from the song about the logger:

    My lover was a logger, there’s none like him today;
    If you’d pour whiskey on it he could eat a bale of hay

    be safe… mae at maefood.blogspot.com

    • Love it! I just learned this toast for St. Patrick’s Day (or anytime): I have known many, and liked not a few, but loved only one, and this toast is to you.

  • Wow, these cookies sound good!

  • I watch this film several years ago and do remember it being somewhat depressing, but also, somewhat memorable. Don’t remember all of that food in the film, but you’ve taught me to start paying more attention to just that. These cookies I wish I had remembered because they look more memorable than the movie. YUM!

  • The cookies are a good choice. That Jameson’s was everywhere in the film and there were cookies instead of cake in the book. I preferred the book, perhaps because I read it first. Had I watched the film first I may have preferred that as you did.