If you have ever had the opportunity to stay at WaterColor Inn located in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, along 30A, then you can attest to the unmatched experience β white sandy beaches, beautiful pine forests along Western Lake, the sunset-level Adirondacks on each private balcony. It’s an intimate experience like no other. If you’ve stayed at WaterColor Inn, then you’re also familiar with their nightly turndown service, which includes a freshly baked treat, the choice of which is at the whim of Pastry Chef Nicholas Clark.
Chef Clark has served as Pastry Chef at WaterColor Inn and at its award-winning restaurant, FOOW, for the past five years. There, he delights guests with inventive treats, each one following a theme β whether itβs a nod to the destination or to a summertime memory.Β One of Chef Clark’s most beloved recipes is the Graham Cracker Cookie Turndown Treat, which he created himself. “I wanted a cookie that reflected the destinationβs Southern hospitality, with a take on a classic summertime staple that is reminiscent of sβmores and beach bonfires,” he shares.
Having been on the turndown treat rotation for about a year, the Graham Cracker Cookie Turndown Treat is definitely a guest favorite. “Theyβll tell us that one is simply not enough,” Chef Clark continues. “Theyβre always delighted to find them in their room after a long day at the beach. After all, who doesnβt love a nighttime treat?”
Now you can enjoy this tasty turndown treat anytime β whether you’re enjoying a stay at WaterColor Inn or not. Below is the recipe for the Graham Cracker Cookie Turndown Treat courtesy of Chef Clark. Whip up a batch of these, and bedtime won’t come soon enough!
Turndown Treat: Graham Cracker Cookie Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups Butter Softened
- 2 cups Sugar
- 2 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 4 Egg Yolks
- 3 cups All-Purpose Flour
- 3 cups Graham Cracker Crumbs
- 1 tsp Baking Powder
- 2 tsp Baking Soda
Cinnamon Sugar Mixture:
- 2 cups Granulated Sugar
- 1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
Instructions
- Cream butter & sugar together on medium speed for about 2-3 minutes.
- Add egg yolks & extracts blend until homogenous.
- Add already mixed dry ingredients; blend until it comes together & let chill in refrigerator for 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven 325Β°F.
- Line a sheet pan with parchment.
- Scoop 2 oz. portions onto baking tray.
- Lightly press down on each cookie.
- Use cinnamon sugar mixture to toss each cookie just before baking.
- Bake for 6-8 minutes rotating half way & bake for additional 6-8 minutes.
- After 5 minutes of the cookies resting, place them onto wire racks to cool completely
Nutrition
Here are three more AMAZING cookie recipes to try:
Kitchen Sink Oatmeal Chocolate Chunk Cookies
These cookies are hearty, and the almond flour takes the sweetness of the dough down a level, allowing the other sweet ingredients to shine. This is the cookie youβll want for dessert, but also for breakfast with your coffee. Find this recipe HERE.
Chai Tea Shortbread Cookies
This recipe from our archives comes from Big View Bakery in Charlotte, NC. With just a few key ingredients, you’ll be enjoying this delightfully zen recipe in no time. Find the recipe for the Chai Tea Shortbread Cookies HERE.
The Easiest Peanut Butter Macadamia Nut Cookies
We asked Certified Holistic Chef Laura Lea, ofΒ LL Balanced, to share one of her favorite low-sugar recipes that satisfies the craving without the post-consumption sugar crash. Find the recipe for these tasty treats HERE.
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Find more amazing recipes in our archives. Click HERE.