I remember once upon a time my mom would spend literally an entire weekend at a time making plates upon plates of Christmas goodies.
And me? Well, I helped her of course! Until the inevitable happened – the inevitable being that I got sidetracked by the television, a friend calling to talk, or a chapter of a tattered paperback Babysitters Club book. You know, by important things.
But one thing I will never forget is how she always put all of her time and effort into making treats for other people. I think these December weekends were the first times that I really saw what it looked like to give selflessly to others. Sure, a cookie and a ball of fudge won’t save the world but it will brighten someone’s day, and our teachers always looked forward to our mom’s Christmas plates filled with goodies. And I always looked forward to “helping.”
That’s kind of what this next week is going to be – a kind of Christmas plate ‘o’ goodies in blog form. I have spent way too much time baking lately, have inhaled way too much sugar, and I might just be OK if I never see another cookie again for the rest of my life. I’m willing to sacrifice for you guys!
We’re going to start off easy today and make cookies that are easy to make ahead, and all you have to do is slice and bake them when it’s time to serve. They’ll transport you to a faraway beach somewhere (ready, set, name your favorite beach: Smuggler’s Cove on Tortola BVI!) where you are no longer confused about whether you live in Colorado or North Dakota, where you can actually consume alcohol and eat things like sushi, and where you can lay in the sun all the livelong day without a care in the world. It’s coconut and lime people – this is the stuff magic is made of!
COCONUT LIME SLICE & BAKE COOKIES
Adapted from this recipe from Bon Appetit
- 2 sticks butter, at room temperature
- 3/4 cup of sugar
- 3 Tbsp lime zest
- 1 tsp vanilla
- juice from 2 limes
- 1 whole egg + 3 egg yolks
- 2 1/2 cups flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup shredded coconut (I used sweetened coconut, although you could certainly use regular coconut)
Cream together the butter and sugar. Add the egg and egg yolks and mix until combined. Add the vanilla and lime juice and mix well. Add the lime zest and mix until well combined. Sift in the flour and salt and mix until just moistened, then add the shredded coconut and mix until everything is well combined. Divide the dough in half and roll each half into an 8 inch long log about 2 inches in diameter. Wrap in plastic and chill until firm, for a couple hours, or overnight. You can keep the dough in the fridge for 2 days before using. When you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350. Remove the logs of dough from their plastic and slice into 1/2-inch discs. Place an inch apart on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a Silpat. Bake at 350 for 12-15 minutes until the bottoms are golden brown. Let cool for about 5-10 minutes on a cooling rack before serving.
Ah yes, beaches of paradise here I come – pregnancy bathing suit and all!
A very appetizing recipe and a wonderful presentation. I love Coconut, Congratulations for the recipe.
I’m such a citrus dessert fan!
Yum– I love tropical flavored cookies. My mother-in-law makes some lime/white chocolate chip cookies that are crazy good, and I bet these taste similar!
I don’t know why but during Christmas baking is so much more fun 🙂 I was baking all weekend and i could have continued if i didn’t have to go to work :).
Awesome cookies!
Love the sounds of these flavors in cookies!
Love the cookie’s, love the story! It’s like my daughter. I made 4 pies for Thanksgiving and she watched Snow White on tv, cause it came on…..she was going to help…
Love the story and I love that these are slice and bake cookies!
These look so easy and delicious!
Heather, you always have me feeling all nostalgic when I read your posts. I totally remember helping mom bake cookies, but only doing the fun parts (like using the cookie cutters or decorating) and then high tailing it whenever it was time to clean up. Oh wait, I kind of still do that when I’m visiting home 🙂
Anyways, thanks for the memories and umm, YUM!
mmm mmm…I would LOVE these!
ohmygosh ohmygosh ohmygosh!! I love these Heather!! The lime… the coconut… the BUTTER!! You my friend ROCK!
You know, I never ever use these flavors when I make cookies. I always make the same chocolate chip over and over again. I do love the exotic island flavors – perfect to escape the cold and dreary winter. And I do love the slice and bake as you go idea!
2 sticks of butter? I’m IN!
Lime and coconut is such a yummy combination, particularly for cookies. It looks like the texture of these cookies is perfect miniature ice cream sandwiches, too.
I’m pretty sure we live in North Dakota right now…at least the weather outside is making me think I’m not in Colorado any more!
I looooove the Babysitters’ Club!! Seriously got distracted from about everything my mom ever wanted me to do by one of those books. We should start a book club based solely on those books. I’m serious. It would be amazing.
I love the story about your mom baking cookies for christmas. I have similar memories,mom baking up a storm,us kids helping out,and be rewarded with a delicious cookie before they are packaged up for famand friends.love this post