First Day of Winter

Today is the first day of winter.  Short days, limited sun, especially with fog lifting late and setting early again.  Plenty of cold, dark evenings, which calls for a cosy, warm atmosphere inside (my tummy!).  What better way to achieve this than by baking a batch of comforting cookies?

I was semi-desperate to have a biscuit with my cup of tea, so I looked for a quick and easy cookie recipe, found one and adapted it to my taste (see below).  If you like coconut, you will love these cookies!  They taste almost like shortbread, and leave the whole kitchen smelling like a tropical island - YUM!

Coconut Cookies (makes 18)

1 1/3 cup plain flour

1 tsp baking powder

pinch of salt

1/2 cup sugar (i originally used 3/4 cup, but that was too sweet for my liking) 

1 egg

1/2 cup coconut oil (melted)

1 tsp vanilla essence

1/2 cup coconut threads

1/2 cup rolled oats

NB: If your mixture is too dry, add a little splash of warm water, to make it into a cookie dough consistency.  Of course, if your mixture is too wet, add some more rolled oats to soak up the excess moisture.

Preheat oven to 180 degrees.  Line a tray with baking paper.  Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt.  In a separate bowl cream together the sugar, egg, melted coconut oil and vanilla extract until light and fluffy.  Combine with dry ingredients, stirring in coconut threats and rolled oats.

(Or, if you're too inpatient, like me, simply add all ingredients together  - dry then wet - at once in one bowl, without any drama!)

Time to get your hands dirty (wash them first though!):  Roll tablespoonfuls of the mixture the palm of your hand.  Place balls evenly spaced onto prepared baking tray.  Gently flatten each ball with the prongs of a fork - this will give the cookie a nice imprint.

Bake cookies at 180 degrees for 10-15mins, or until the cookies are ready and slightly browned.  Let the cookies cool on the tray for a couple of minutes before transferring them to a wire cooling rack.  Good luck waiting for them to cool completely.  If you're like me, and you simply have to try one, go for it and enjoy with a cup of peppermint tea!