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MAV
Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookies
I love this recipe for a traditional chocolate chip cookie with a bit of a twist! For cookies that are crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside, open the oven halfway through the baking process and gently push down the tops of the cookies with a wooden spoon, wiping the spoon after pressing on each cookie so the chocolate does not get messy. MAKES 36 LARGE, OR 60 TINY COOKIES
2 cups (250 g) whole-wheat flour
Ā½ cup (50 g) almond meal (or finely ground raw almonds)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
Ā½ cup (1 stick/115 g) unsalted butter, at room temperature
Ā¼ cup (75 ml) coconut oil, melted and cooled to room temperature
Ā¾ cup (165 g) packed brown sugar
Ā¾ cup (150 g) sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1Ā½ cups (260 g) dark chocolate chips
1 cup (85 g) unsweetened shredded coconut
Preheat the oven to 350ĀŗF (175ĀŗC). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, almond meal, baking soda, and salt; set aside. In a standing mixer with a paddle attachment, cream together the butter, coconut oil, and sugars. Beat until very light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well and scraping down the bowl after each addition. Add the vanilla and beat the mixture well. Add in the dry ingredients and mix on low speed briefly. When the dough has barely come together, stop the mixer and add the chocolate chips and coconut. Again, mix on low speed until the chocolate chips and coconut are evenly distributed.
For tiny cookies, scoop teaspoon-size dough balls onto your prepared baking sheet and bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until cookies are slightly browned. For medium-size or large, pillowy cookies, scoop tablespoon or rounded tablespoon size dough balls and bake for 12 to 14 minutes. Let cool on the cookie sheet for 5 minutes before transferring the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.
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Coconut Macaroon Nests
My kids ask to make these treats as soon as Easter candy appears at the market. The coconut macaroons are terrific without the candy the rest of the year as well. They only require a handful of ingredients and are gluten-free! MAKES 12 COOKIES
2 egg whites
1 vanilla bean
2 cups (170 g) unsweetened shredded coconut
ā
cup (135 g) sugar
Pinch salt
1 (10-ounce/283-g) package candy-coated chocolate egg candy
Preheat the oven to 350Ā°F (175Ā°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a mixing bowl, lightly beat the egg whites with a fork just until frothy. Cut open the vanilla bean and, using a paring knife, scrape out the seeds into the egg whites. Add the coconut, sugar, and salt. Stir to combine. (Use your hands, if necessary, to make sure the coconut is evenly coated.)
Make tablespoon-size mounds of dough on the prepared baking sheet. Bake until lightly browned, about 15 minutes. Using a spatula, gently transfer the macaroons to a wire rack. While the macaroons are still warm, gently press 3 candy eggs into the top of each one to create a nest. Allow the nests to fully cool before serving.
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Woolen Stuffed Bunnies
With Easter approaching, I decided to make a batch of bunnies for some of the little ones in my life (and MAVās little-one-to-be!). They differ a great deal from the other soft sculptures I make in that they are meant to be grabbed and mouthed and squished and shaken, not merely put on display. A gentle jingle from bells sewn inside, fuzzy polka dots, and long ears for grasping contribute to a sensory experience for baby. Woolen fabric and stuffing are naturally anti-microbial and water-resistant. I love making and giving these guys!
Paper pattern pieces (see this pageāthis page)
Wool fabric for bunny body, head, ears, and bottom (see Fabric Note)
Cotton print for ear linings (see Fabric Note)
Wool roving for polka dots in one or several complementary colors
Wool stuffing
Three Ā½-inch (12-mm) jingle bells (optional)
Coordinating thread for machine
Black embroidery floss for eyes
Brown perle cotton for nose
Coordinating embroidery floss for bunny bottom
Sewing machine
Scissors
Washable fabric marker or pencil
Felting pad or piece of Styrofoam
Felting needles
Hand-sewing needles and pins
FABRIC NOTE: I use woolens from the apparel section. Look for soft fabrics, such as pure wool or a wool and cashmere or alpaca blend. Coatings, melton, and wool felt work well. Your fabric should have some heft, but not be stiff or itchy. I always wash my woolens in the washer and put them in the dryer to full the fibers before cutting. The warm water and agitation remove chemical residue and bind the wool fibers togetherāmaking the cutting and sewing of the little pieces much easier. For the ear linings, you will need a thinner fabric, such as quilterās cotton, cotton lawn, double ga...
