Jeweled Coconut Drops
Red raspberry preserves add a festive flair to these tender coconut cookies. Perfect for potlucks and cookie exchanges, these shaped cookies never last long.
Red raspberry preserves add a festive flair to these tender coconut cookies. Perfect for potlucks and cookie exchanges, these shaped cookies never last long.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup butter softened
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 3 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons orange juice
- 3-3/4 cups sweetened shredded coconut divided
- 1 cup seedless raspberry preserves warmed
- Carbohydrate 53.3267817441913 g
- Cholesterol 155.338919923541 mg
- Fat 31.7287311799847 g
- Fiber 0.82969446303231 g
- Protein 3.09607505363147 g
- Saturated Fat 18.9750522351878 g
- Serving Size 1 1 -1/2 dozen. (175g)
- Sodium 14215.9382316817 mg
- Sugar 52.497087281159 g
- Trans Fat 2.89840584332083 g
- Calories 509 calories
Step-by-step
- Cream butter, cream cheese and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in egg yolk, orange juice and almond extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder and salt; gradually beat into creamed mixture.
- Stir in 3 cups coconut.
- Refrigerate until easy to handle, about 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Shape rounded tablespoons of dough into balls; roll in remaining coconut.
- Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets.
- Press a deep indentation in the center of each with the end of a wooden spoon handle.
- Bake until edges are light brown, 8-10 minutes.
- Cool 1 minute.
- Using the wooden spoon, enlarge any indentations that may have narrowed or closed.
- Remove cookies from pans to wire racks.
- Fill with preserves; cool completely.
My Little Jewels: Jeweled Coconut Drops
These Jeweled Coconut Drops aren't just a cookie; they're a tiny burst of sunshine on a plate. The vibrant red of the raspberry preserves peeking through the fluffy, coconut-dusted exterior is simply captivating. And the taste? Oh, the taste! It's a delightful dance of sweet, subtly tangy, and wonderfully chewy textures that leaves you wanting more.
I started making these cookies for my family – my husband and two boys – and they disappeared faster than I could bake them. Now, I make a double batch whenever I have a potluck, cookie exchange, or even just a quiet evening at home. They're the perfect treat to share, but I confess, I often sneak a few before they make it to the serving platter. It's hard to resist!
The recipe itself is surprisingly simple, which is a huge plus for a busy mom like me. The process is straightforward and incredibly rewarding. The initial mixing is a satisfyingly creamy affair, and shaping the cookies into little balls is almost meditative. Watching them bake, their edges turning a golden brown, is a delightful anticipation for the sweet treat to come. Then there's the final touch – carefully filling each little indentation with warm raspberry preserves. It's like adding a jewel to each cookie, hence the name!
What I love most about these cookies is their versatility. They're elegant enough for a fancy gathering, yet comforting and familiar enough for a casual get-together. They also store incredibly well, which is a real bonus. Though, let's be honest, they rarely last long enough to test that claim fully!
Beyond the taste and ease of preparation, these cookies have become a symbol of something more for me. They represent the simple joys of baking, of sharing, and of creating something beautiful and delicious for the people I love. Each cookie is a little piece of my heart, a testament to the love poured into each step of the process.
So, if you're looking for a cookie that's both beautiful and delicious, easy to make, and perfect for any occasion, look no further. These Jeweled Coconut Drops are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, and I'm confident they'll become a cherished part of your baking repertoire. They are more than just cookies; they're little bites of happiness.
Give them a try, and let me know what you think! I’d love to hear your experiences and maybe even get some fun variations on the recipe – perhaps some different types of preserves or even add some chocolate chips! The possibilities are endless!
Happy Baking!
