For candied walnuts, mix melted butter and 1/2 tsp vanilla in medium bowl. Add walnuts and stir to coat walnuts in butter mixture. In small bowl, mix brown sugar, salt, cinnamon and cayenne pepper, then add to walnut mixture and stir to thoroughly coat walnuts with brown sugar mixture. Heat pan on stove using medium heat, add walnut mixture and stir until sugar melts and slightly caramelizes (about 5 minutes). Watch carefully so nuts do not burn. Remove from stove, stir, and let cool.For this recipe, you can simply use 1 cups of rough chopped toasted walnuts (or other favorite nuts). We prefer the candied walnuts (it adds to the depth of flavor), but either will result in a delicious cookie.
For cookie dough, cream butter and sugars together in stand mixture fitted with paddle attachment until smooth (about 3 minutes), scraping sides as necessary. Add eggs one at a time, then add vanilla, and mix until well combined.
In separate bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, salt, and baking powder. With mixer on low, add flour mixture in 3 batches, mixing in between each batch until combined. Add cooled candied walnuts, chocolate chips, and raisins and mix by hand just until incorporated. Chill dough for at least 30 minutes.
While dough is chilling, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line sheet pans with parchment paper (or a silpat). Using a cookie scoop or spoon, scoop about 1.5 TBLSP of dough, roll into ball and place on prepared pan. Place dough about 2 inches apart on pan. Bake at 350 for 9 to 11 minutes. Cool cookies on pan. It is now time to Enjoy!
