We are introduced, at an early age, to the sweet wondernous of a cookie. From teething cookies to soothe the swollen aching gums of incoming incisors, onto animal crackers purchased in rectangular-shaped boxes bearing a string handle for easy toting by little fingers. Deciding which part of the animal should be eaten first-the trunk of the elephant or the tail of a lion-depended on how hungry one was. Savor each and every one or simply gobble them down as fast as possible.

My next cookie memory would be the ever famous, possibly all-time favorite, the chocolate chip cookie. There is nothing better than to bite into a round circle of baked dough sprinkled with gooey melt-in-your-mouth chocolate. A chocolate chip cookie can dry tears, heal broken hearts, mend scraped knees and elbows and solve sibling arguments. Most of the problems in the world could likely be solved by a properly baked, right out of the oven, chocolate chip cookie. The power of a cookie is underestimated.

I will attempt in the next 365 days to prepare and comment on a year’s worth of different cookies-one for each day. My goal is to share with others my extreme love of cookies-baking them and especially eating them! Feel free to send me your favorite recipe, your earliest cookie memories, or how cookies may have influenced your life. Cookies Rule!


Monday, November 8, 2010

Cookie Recipe #310 - Cherry-Coconut Drops


These cookies contain just 5 ingredients, but taste like they have much more. So simple to make for a quick treat.

Ingredients: 2 2/3 cups flaked coconut, 2 tablespoons cornstarch, 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1/2 cup drained and chopped candied cherries (5 ingredients, that's all!).

Instructions: Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease and flour 2 cookie sheets or line with parchment paper; set aside. In a medium bowl combine coconut and cornstarch. Stir in sweetened condensed milk and vanilla until combined. Stir in chopped cherries. Drop dough by small rounded teaspoonfuls about 1 inch apart onto prepared cookie sheets.

Bake in preheated 325 degree oven for 12-15 minutes or until bottoms are lightly browned. Cool on cookie sheet for 1 minute. Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.

Makes about 2 dozen drops

"Better Homes and Gardens Biggest Book of Cookies", Meredith Corporation, Des Moines, IA, 2003.

Cookies Rule!!!

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