Tag Archives: cookies

Chocolate Coconut Boyfriend Cookies

Posted on by
10

They always say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.

I one hundred percent agree. If my man didn’t already love me, then I’m also one hundred percent sure that these cookies would definitely do the trick. And if it didn’t, well then maybe he’s just not the man for after all — just kidding! To me, these are the definition of man cookies; chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate.

I found these coconut creme Hershey kisses at Target and I knew that I was going to have to bake something really awesome with them. Since the boyfriend loves coconut and has a birthday coming up this weekend, I figured why not surprise him with some cookies? Of course, it won’t be a complete surprise, as I am kind of spoiling it here but he still has yet to taste them! So aha, I still have some semblance of surprise! I plan on sneaking these cookies into the movies this Friday when we (finally) see the Hunger Games, shh!

Even though he has yet to taste them, I know that they will be a hit. Believe it or not, our three year (gasp!) anniversary is coming up next week and if I have learned anything about him in these past three years, it’s what he likes to eat. I mean, obviously I can only think about food and cooking all day so of course I would be quick to pick up on his favorites. Whenever we go out to eat, I can usually pinpoint what he is going to order before he even finds it on the menu, I’m just that good. Or I’m just that creepy, I’m not sure.

I do know, however, that if it’s got the words: prosciutto, bacon, fresh mozzarella, jalapeno, chocolate, coconut, coffee, taco or starts with ‘fish’ and ends with ‘chips’ — then he will definitely be there. Lately he has been a big fan of fish tacos and fish & chips, probably because I’m allergic and he is tired of me always trying to eat his food; so this is the surest way that it all stays on his plate and in his tummy.

In honor of my man’s birthday and our quickly approaching anniversary, I am dedicating next week’s blog posts and recipes to the love of my life; for allowing me to feed you strange things, for always putting up with my obsessive need to grocery shop whenever we are out together and for listening to countless stories about other blogs that I’m sure you don’t care about, this is for you so you better be hungry :) Next week I’ll be introducing a series of boyfriend-inspired recipes.

Chocolate Coconut Boyfriend Cookies
makes about 3 dozen

3/4 c. flour
3/4 c. cocoa powder
1 c. sugar
3/4 c. butter, softened
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 c. shredded coconut
1 c. coconut creme Hershey kisses, chopped

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a bowl, mix together the butter and sugar until creamed. Add in the eggs and vanilla. Sift together the cocoa powder, flour, baking soda and salt. Gradually mix into the butter mixture. Once mixed, stir in the coconut and Hershey kisses.

Spoon the dough onto a baking sheet and bake for about 12-15 until crisp on the edges and slightly glossy looking on top. Remove from sheet and cool.

Maybe some stretchy pants should be part of his birthday gift as well? Just kidding, cookies made with love have practically negative calories. What do you like feeding your loved ones?

Earl Grey Tea Cookies

Posted on by
18

In my family, tea solves most, if not all, problems.

There is just something about tea that has this healing power. Maybe it’s just my family, I don’t know but a warm cup of tea can do wonders. Keep the coffee away, I’m not a fan but I can hardly ever say no to a cup of tea. And if the tea seems to fail, then cookies are the next best thing. So, why not have your tea and eat it too?

Months ago, I read about a cookie recipe using Earl Grey tea on Martha Stewart’s website or one of her magazines, I can’t exactly remember. I do remember, however, thinking that it sounded so awesome. If only I had some loose earl grey tea. I must have put it on my grocery list a dozen times but I always, without fail, would forget to look for it on my numerous trips over the past few months.

The other day I was looking through my kitchen at home (because I swear, everything is in a different place every time I come home) for some peanut butter and I found an entire container of loose earl grey tea! I immediately thought of those cookies I had seen so long ago. Now that I finally had that key ingredient, I figured it’d be a great time to finally try these cookies out!

And oh my, they are so delicious. I could not stop eating the cookie dough and I have never been so anxious for something to come out of the oven. Not only do these taste fantastic; a crunchy, sweet tea cookie — but they look so different than any other cookie. They’re almost sophisticated in appearance and it makes me want to throw a tea party circa 1994 with my stuffed animals and dolls.

Early Grey Tea Cookies (adapted from Martha Stewart)
makes about 2-3 dozen

2 c. flour
2 tbsp. loose earl grey tea leaves
1/2 tsp. salt
1 c. butter, softened
1 tsp. vanilla
3/4 granulated sugar*

*the original recipe called for confectioners sugar, I was out and in a pinch
used regular sugar.

In a food processor (or bowl of a stand mixer) pulse the flour, tea and salt together. Then add the butter, sugar and vanilla; continue to pulse/mix until a dough is formed. Using your hands, gather the dough together and place on a sheet of wax paper or plastic wrap. The dough may be a little crumbly, but it will all come together.

Roll the dough into a log shape, about 2 inches thick. Wrap up in the wax paper or plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, about 30-45 minutes. Once firm, Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and cut the log into 1/4-inch slices and place on lightly greased baking sheet (or lined with parchment paper). Bake about 12-15 minutes until golden around the edges.

Make sure to serve these with a large pot of tea.

Norwegian Cookies

Posted on by
7

Since I’ve already shared two cookie recipes with you this week, I figured why not go for another? Especially since this cookie is my absolute favorite.

I’ve been eating this cookies for as long as I can remember and I’ve been helping my mom make them for almost as long. These cookies are special and we only get to have them about once a year. I think what’s so special about these cookies is that you can only make one at a time.

I know, it sounds crazy, but trust me. These cookies are worth every minute and every bead of sweat. As you can see, our krumkake iron is older than I am; but that just makes this whole process that much more special and meaningful.

There are so many stories to be told about the making and eating of these cookies. I have to say, the most enjoyable part is in the making of them. While you can definitely make these alone, in my family, we see it as a two person job; usually me and one of my sisters. We usually only make these around the holidays, so two (if not all three of us sisters) will be seated at the kitchen stove, laughing and talking, singing Christmas songs.

I think that’s why these cookies taste so great. Because you know they’re being created around laughter, fun and love; it sounds cheesy but it’s true. I love making these cookies with my sisters. True Story: the first time my sister and I made these alone, my parents were out and trusted us to make them alone. Well, we may have set the burner on fire.

Our parents had to rush back and were reluctant to let us continue baking. Needless to say, we thought we were never going to be allowed to bake them again. But we continue to find ourselves each Christmas season, in the kitchen burning our fingers making these. This past Christmas, I was stuck at school until the 23rd of December. The only thing that upset me was that I was going to miss the making of all our cookies.

While I missed the baking of all the many other Christmas cookies, my family saved this one for me. Even with all the million things we all had to do on Christmas Eve, we were able to squeeze in our Norwegian Cookie tradition. So, while I may claim that this or that cookie is my favorite, these cookies will always have an extra special place in my heart.

Norwegian Cookies

1/4 lb. butter, melted
1 c. sugar
1 c. flour
3 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
warm water
krumkake iron (a petzel iron might work too)

In a small pan on the stove, melt butter and mix in sugar; Mix together well. Transfer butter and sugar mixture to another bowl and add flour, eggs and vanilla. Once all is combined, slowly add warm water to make thin batter.

Place the krumkake iron on top of stove burner; turn to medium low heat. Wait for the iron to heat up; test by dropping a few drops of water on the surface of the iron, if the water sizzles and jumps across the surface, it’s ready. Using a small ladle, spoon a little bit of batter onto the surface of the iron, slowly closing the top. Make sure not to spoon to much batter, as it will leak out the sides of the iron. Flip the iron over to cook other side of the cookie, about 1 minute on each side. When cookie is golden brown, using a knife, gently lift the cookie out of the iron and quickly roll the cookie using the wooden cone. Set cookie aside to cool; repeat with remaining batter.

Cookies are fragile, so when storing them, gently place in a tin or Tupperware and cover with wax paper or saran wrap.

These are cookies made with love.