Coconut Kisses

I`m telling you: these cookies are just like a kiss on the cheek. Tender, soft and flaky with a beautiful coconut and butter flavor. You can`t stop loving them once you tasted one. They are oh-so-addictive!

I don`t know how to describe them...delicious. A thousand more words linger on my fingertips and I chose "delicious"?! I must still be charmed by these beauties:

As you all know, Valentine`s Day is just around the corner. Everybody want to surprise their beloved ones. Among all those nice gifts, people tend to show their affection mostly by preparing something fancy, like cakes. Homemade desserts seem to scream "I love you so much that it took me hours to prepare something just for you!". And I find that cute.

Apart from being so small and lovable (lovable cakes?! Yeah...I think I miss my daily sugar dose), Coconut Kisses are so easy to make. It takes a few ingredients which you might already have hidden in the back of your kitchen shelf.

For perfect results make sure all of your ingredients  are cold. Preferably directly from the fridge. This is a cool recipe. Get the bad baking joke? Nah. :D

What you basically are doing is a pastry dough. Throw all of the ingredients in a food processor or bowl and mix until it resembles coarse crumbs. Easy as that. Add more liquid if needed and work the pastry more. You know it`s ready when you pinch it between your fingers and it sticks together.

I wish I could have taken a more detailed picture to show you, but you get the idea. Ok, so when the dough looks like that, it is time to put it on a parchment paper, pull it together in a small disk, cover with another parchment paper and flatted it a bit with the rolling pin.

Pop the dough disk in the freezer for a 15 to 30 minutes and flatten it again into a 1 inch(2,5 cm) thick dough sheet. 

Here`s everybody`s favourite part: having fun with the cookie cutters. Feel free to use any shape you like. I chose a round one because I love simplicity and I think they look fancier, but it`s Valentine, so a heart shaped cutter works best.

The picture above is something I really wanted to share with you, as unattractive as it seems. I don`t know why but I find the dessert before&after pictures very motivating. I feel like the recipe is safe and apart from that, you have the chance of watching an unappetizing product change into the most delightful dessert ever. After all, it`s like having children: you get to see them grow up and blossom. 

I know I`m sounding stupid. 

Here`s how they should look like after they finished baking:

BEAU-TI-FUL. See all those "cracks"? That is a flaky cookie. It`s like the definition for perfect! Wait until you bite out of one. Honestly, it was so good that it sent shivers through my spine. Crumbly, buttery, amazing smell and the subtle touch of coconut...Heaven. If Heaven had a candy bar at the entrance, these cookies would be among other sweet treats.

Bite out of one and...

I`m speechless...I know you are drooling over the keyboard right now. Don`t worry, I`m doing that too.

So is there any reason why you shouldn`t bake these? I think not. Your beloved one will appreciate,I guarantee it.

Remember one thing: keep the ingredients as cold as possible in order to get a flaky texture.

Ingredients:

150 gr. frozen butter, cut into cubes or small pieces

1/2 Tablespoon vinegar

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

pinch of salt

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon rum (optional or substitute it with vanilla or almond extract)

135 gr. flour

20 gr. shredded coconut

1 egg yolk

5 Tablespoons milk/water (more or less)

powdered sugar for coating

Directions:

1. Throw the flour into a food processor or a big, cold bowl, followed by the baking powder,baking soda and salt. Combine everything.

2. Add shredded coconut, frozen butter and rum or other flavorings. Using a fork or pulsing if using a food processor, work the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.

3. In goes the yolk, vinegar and 1 Tablespoon of milk/water. Work it with the fork or pulse if using a food processor. The dough will still look like crumbs but check it by pinching a small amount between your fingers and if it stays together, then stop adding any liquid. If it still is crumbly and it falls apart, add 1 Tablespoon of liquid until it reaches the consistency which I mentioned above. 

4. Line your work surface with parchment paper (8X8 inch/18X18 cm square) and turn out the mixture on it. Pull it together with your hands in a ball. Avoid kneading it or the warmth of your hand will soften the butter and you won`t get the desired texture of the cookie. Cover it with another piece of parchment paper (same measurements like the first one) and flatten the dough ball into a 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick disk, using the rolling pin. Chill dough into the freezer for 15 to 30 minutes or overnight in the fridge.

At this point, if you are chilling it into the freezer, preheat oven at 375 degrees/180 Celsius/ Level 4 gas. Grease and flour or use parchment paper for you baking tray to prevent everything from sticking.

5. Take dough out, remove the parchment paper which covers the top of it and start cutting desired shapes. Dip your cookie cutter in flour every time.

6. Arrange cookies on the tray and pop them into the well preheated oven. Bake for 17-20 minutes or until golden brown and puffed up a little bit. 

Leave them to sit on the baking tray for 2 minutes and while still warm, roll them in powdered sugar, making sure they are evenly coated.

Enjoy it with a nice glass of wine.