Bake like it’s 1999 with this recipe for Prince’s Favorite Cookie

What’s a celebration without something sweet?

As Prince fans mark the late singer’s June 7 birthday with a weekend of events, concerts and parties, we’ll be in the kitchen making one of his favorite cookies.

The recipe comes courtesy of the Dakota, the downtown Minneapolis music club that Prince frequented. Former pastry chef Katie Elsing developed the recipe, which was dubbed PFC, or Prince’s Favorite Cookie. Anytime the singer was rumored to be in the house, she’d make them.

“Prince was always coming in with his entourage,” Elsing said. “As soon as word came down he was expected, I knew to have a batch of these cookies ready for him and his guests just in case he had a craving for something sweet.”

The petite cookies are crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside with white chocolate, macadamia nuts and a hint of lime finished with a sprinkle of sea salt. Bold and complex, just like the singer they’re named after.

If you’re more into music than baking, Dakota chef Asher Zulkosky will be baking up a batch for this weekend’s Prince celebration. They might not be listed on the menu, but those in the know (that’s you) can request them. No worries if this weekend is booked; the cookies will be available all year as part of the Dakota’s 40th anniversary celebration.

Outside the venue (1010 Nicollet Mall), be sure to take note of the Purple Path sidewalk clings that trace the rock icon’s steps throughout the city. Prince played a six-show run there in 2013 — perhaps fueled by these cookies.

The real name of these is Brown Butter, White Chocolate, Macadamia Nut Cookies, but it’s much more fun to introduce them as the singer’s guilty pleasure. From Katie Elsing, who was the Dakota’s pastry chef from 2012 to 2015.

Directions

Heat butter in a pan over medium heat until it comes to a boil. Whisk until the milk solids have fallen to the bottom of the pan and turned light golden brown. Remove from heat before it turns golden brown; it will continue cooking off heat. Set aside to cool until close to room temperature but still liquid.

Transfer butter to a large bowl. Add sugar and brown sugar and mix until combined. Add eggs, lime zest and vanilla and mix to combine.

In a small bowl, sift together flour, kosher salt and baking soda. Add to dough and mix until just combined. Stir in white chocolate chips and chopped macadamia nuts and mix until just combined.

When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange 12 cookies per tray. Top each cookie with a little sprinkle of sea salt.