Crispy Coconut Cookies

Submitted by Gerry

"This recipe was passed along to me a number years ago when I made mention I was looking for new recipes to add to my collection for Christmas baking. This excellent crispy cookie is not only great at Christmas, it's one of those simple delights great to serve for any occasion ... one of those 'looks simple but you can't just eat one' kind of cookie. I suspect the cream of tartar makes for a crispy light cookie. NOTE: any fine coconut can be used when making these cookies, do not substitute with medium or coarse coconut, they just do not work for these cookies. Fine coconut is readily available in the baking section of most stores."

 

• Ready In: 25mins
• Ingredients: 9
• Yields: 36 cookies

ingredients

• 1 cup shortening (part butter)
• 1⁄2 cup brown sugar
• 1⁄2 cup white sugar
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 teaspoon almond extract or 1 teaspoon coconut extract
• 2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1 cup desiccated coconut (Do not use flaked. As NOTED in the preamble you may use the fine coconut readily found in the baking)

directions

1. Cream shortening with sugar.
2. Add beaten egg and extract.
3. Sift flour, baking soda, cream of tartar and add gradually to creamed mixture.
4. Add the fine dessicated coconut and mix throughly.
5. Roll into small balls, put on a greased cookie sheet, press down with a fork.
6. Bake for 15 minutes at 325, cookie should be nicely colored.
7. A reminder that ovens vary, so do watch your cookies!
8. Yield will depend on the size cookie you make, so mine is a general yield for amount of flour used.

Reviews

[aprmcke]

SEVERAL CLARIFICATIONS REGARDING THIS RECIPE - I am an experienced baker (25 yrs) and was intrigued by the use of the two ingredients here - the use of dessicated (dried) coconut and cream of tartar in achieving an exceptional crispy coconut cookie. First of all, I had to go to a bit of trouble to find dessciated coconut, including health food and gourmet grocery stores, where they carried it alongside everyday products; I found it was expensive for the amount you get and, frankly, it was disappointing becaused it not make a big difference in the outcome of the cookie; I ended up trying Baker's shredded sweetened coconut when making my second batch and thought it was actually better because it balanced the dry texture that the cream of tartar created in the cookie. Secondly, the recipe calls for starting with "1 cup shortening - part butter", which could be interpreted as one could use Crisco's Butter Flavored shortening, OR, alternatively one could use 1/2 cup shortening and 1/2 cup butter. I tried the recipe using both variations and the SECOND one had a better taste, so I suggest the half anf half combination. Also, using almond extract, even just 1 teaspoon, overpowered the mild coconut flavor - I recommend using Coconut Extract just for these cookies as it really enhances the flavor. Last but not least - the dough was initially so sticky that it was a mess trying to roll it into little balls so I had to chill the dough for at least an hour - then rolling them was a breeze. Conclusion: I found this to be a light, though dry, crisp coconut cookie, but the baker needs to have a few insights in order to have a good result. I will not make it again as it is unless I make these small changes.

 

[pure_good]

I've been using this website for years and I've never been compelled to leave a review, but, these cookies were amazing! They were crisp and flavorful without being to sweet. I made the recipe vegan by using coconut cream (the solidified fat on top of a can of full fat coconut milk) instead of butter and a flax egg instead of an egg. I made my own dessicated coconut by grinding unsweetened dried coconut flakes in a coffee grinder. I scooped the batter with a small cookie scoop (I think it was a size 50 scoop) and i didn't need to flatten it at all. Because of the coconut cream the cookies spread beautifully so they need to be spaced appropriately.

 

[Chef Dudo]

Very nice cookies. Made as stated except extracts as they are almost impossible to get here. The cookies baked for exactly 15 minutes and they are crisp and very flavourful. I got 49 cookies and used about 3/4tbs dough for each cookie. Certainly a cookie I will make again.<br/>Thanks for posting.

 

[Sams Mom]

Yummy, Yummy. I love these cookies. Made with half crisco and half butter. They baked perfectly. Delicious with a cup of coffee. Sort of like a snickerdoodle but fancier!! Ha Ha. I have made two batches, one with all coconut extract and one with half coconut and half almond flavoring. Think I prefer the half coconut and half almond. But that is just my taste. I did use regular coconut and dried in the oven as another review suggested and it was perfect. Thank you so much Gerry for a wonderful recipe. Want to make them again, roll them smaller then after they cool put icing between them to make a sandwich cookie. I'll keep you posted.

 

[Whimrock]

What a great cookie. Not able to find dessicated coconut here so I just bought a pckg of regular coconut and dried it in the oven at 200 deg F for about an hour, perfect. I bet I'll be making these often. Thanks for posting.