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The Nut Tree (Vacaville CA, off I-80) has been a landmark tourist stop for over eighty years. The restaurant, at its zenith in the 70's and 80's, was an early pioneer of California cuisine featuring fresh fruits and vegetables, and recipes of popular menu items were offered for sale in the gift shop. The original restaurant from that era is no longer in operation and the complex itself was rebuilt and opened under new ownership. Preparing one of the Nut Tree “vintage” recipes always brings back fond memories of the indoor aviary, rocking hobby horses, Pumpkin Patch, kiddie train, and of course - the restaurant/bakery.
The Nut Tree Drop Cookie recipe below makes crunchy walnut and raisin cookies with pleasing spice undertones.
Ingredients
- 1 cup seedless raisins
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
- 1 tablespoon flour
- ½ cup butter softened
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 3/4 cup flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (cut in half from the original recipe)
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
Directions
- Cover raisins with boiling water in a small bowl and let stand a few minutes to plump; drain well. Then mix them with walnuts and 1 tablespoon flour; set aside.
- Set oven to 400 degrees F. Beat butter with sugar in large mixing bowl; beat in eggs and vanilla til well mixed.
- Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves, mixing just until combined. Stir in nut mixture.
- Drop by teaspoonfuls onto greased baking sheet.
- Bake 10 minutes or until browned. Cool on rack.
- Approximately 4 to 5 dozen depending on size scooped.
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Nutrition Facts
| Amount Per Serving | %DV |
|---|---|
| Serving Size 22g | |
| Recipe makes 48 servings | |
| Calories 72 | |
| Calories from Fat 26 | 36% |
| Total Fat 2.97g | 4% |
| Saturated Fat 1.43g | 6% |
| Trans Fat 0.0g | |
| Cholesterol 13mg | 4% |
| Sodium 68mg | 3% |
| Potassium 39mg | 1% |
| Total Carbs 10.72g | 3% |
| Dietary Fiber 0.4g | 1% |
| Sugars 6.27g | 4% |
| Protein 1.01g | 2% |
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Comments
April 2, 2012So happy Bob, to have offered you a nostalgic moment. And I'm glad our family lived in Sacramento for many years in the 70's and had reasonable proximity to the Nut Tree. The saying is "you can never go back" as things never stay the same. Fortunately I purchased a collection of Nut Tree recipes way back then, so I can at least take a sentimental journey of the mind preparing and serving them. I plan to post several more Nut Tree recipes in the coming weeks.
April 1, 2012Salad Foodie:
Boy does this recipe bring back memories. I recall stopping at the Nut Tree on many occasions as a family on our way to the Sierra Mountains when I was young. My Mom made these cookies and they were always one of my favorites. I'm so glad you posted the recipe as I never got it from her. As you state the original restaurant is long gone. Our youngest daughter lives North of Sacramento in Auburn so we pass the old site on Hwy 80 on our way there. Thanks for sharing!
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