Chewy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Coconut Cookies

PREP TIME: 20 MINUTES 

COOK TIME: 10 MINUTES 

TOTAL TIME: 30 MINUTES

YIELD: 2-3 DOZEN

INGREDIENTS:

 1 cup (3.5 ounces) old-fashioned rolled oats

 2 1/4 cups (11.25 ounces) all-purpose flour (I use unbleached all-purpose flour)

 1 teaspoon baking soda

 3/4 teaspoon salt

 1 cup (8 ounces, 16 tablespoons) butter, softened (I use salted butter)

 1 1/4 cups (9.25 ounces) packed light brown sugar

 1/2 cup (3.75 ounces) packed dark brown sugar

 2 large eggs

 1 tablespoon vanilla

 1 cup (1.75 to 2 ounces) sweetened or unsweetened coconut flakes

 2 cups (12 ounces) semisweet or bittersweet chocolate chips

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 
2. Add the oats, flour, baking soda, and salt to a food processor or blender and process for about 30 seconds until coarsely blended. Set aside.
3. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or in a large bowl with a handheld electric mixer, add the butter and brown sugars and mix until light in color, 1-2 minutes. 
4. Add the eggs and vanilla and mix for another 1-2 minutes until light and fluffy, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
5. Add the blended dry ingredients and mix once or twice (not all the flour will be fully combined). 
6. Add the coconut and chocolate chips and mix until no dry streaks remain.
7. Shape the cookie dough into balls (I use a #40 cookie scoop) and place several inches apart on parchment lined cookie sheets. 
8. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Let the cookies cool slightly before removing them from the pan to a wire rack.

NOTES:

If your cookies are flattening more than you like, increase the oven temperature to 375 degrees or use convection setting if your oven has it (325 degrees).

Do not freeze this cookie dough.  If you do the cookies will not cook the same and turn out different.

HTTPS://WWW.MELSKITCHENCAFE.COM/MY-FAVORITE-COOKIE/

No Bake Energy Bites

3/4 cup all-natural peanut butter (if your natural peanut butter is refrigerated and is thick, try popping the measuring cup of peanut butter in the microwave for 10-15 seconds)

1 3/4 cup old-fashioned or quick-cooking oats

1/3 cup honey (or slightly more if needed to bind mixture together)

1/3 cup semisweet or dark chocolate chips (I used mini)

1.    Add peanut butter to medium microwave-safe mixing bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds, or until peanut butter is less solid. 

2.    Add the rest of the ingredients to the mixing bowl and stir for 2-3 minutes until fully combined. At this point, if the dough is very sticky, you can refrigerate it for a 1-2 hours or pop it in the freezer for 30 minutes to slightly firm up.

3.    Using a cookie scoop or spoon, form the dough into about 24 tablespoon-sized balls. Place on wax or parchment sheet or dish and refrigerate for about an hour before enjoying.

4.    To store, place energy bites in a Ziploc bag or storage container. Refrigerate for up to 2 weeks or freeze for up to 3 months.

Notes:
Depending on the type of peanut butter you use and its thickness, you may need to add slightly more honey or peanut butter to help the energy bites come together.

From: Sierra

S'mores Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients

3/4 cup (12 tablespoons, 6 ounces) butter, softened

1 cup (7.5 ounces) packed light or dark brown sugar

1/3 cup (2.5 ounces) granulated sugar

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 3/4 cups (8.75 ounces) all-purpose flour (see note)

1 cup (4.5 ounces) graham cracker crumbs (about 9 rectangle crackers crushed)

2 cups (12 ounces) chocolate chips or chunks

1 cup (1.75 ounces) miniature marshmallow bits (see note)

Instructions

1.       Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.

2.      Using an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or in a bowl with a handheld electric mixer, add the butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, baking soda, and salt. Mix together until very light and creamy, 2-3 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.

3.      Add the eggs and vanilla and mix until evenly combined.

4.      Add the flour and graham cracker crumbs and mix until just barely combined; a few dry streaks are ok.

5.      Add the chocolate chips or chunks and marshmallow bits and mix until incorporated.

6.      Scoop the dough by heaping tablespoons onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing at least 2-inches apart.. I like to roll the mounds of dough so they are smooth.

7.      Bake for 10-12 minutes until just golden on the edges and a little crackly on top. Let the cookies sit for a few minutes on the baking sheet before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

These cookies are on the soft and chewy slightly thinner side of the cookie spectrum. If you often bake cookies that spread more than you like (happens a lot at high elevation), try baking the cookies on convection mode (if you have an oven with that setting) OR increasing the baking temperature to 375. If the cookies still spread (or to preempt the issue), a couple extra tablespoons flour might help. 

About those marshmallow bits, your average mini marshmallows will not work! They'll melt into huge craters and become a puddly, burned mess.  Instead, you need marshmallow bits. In other words, dehydrated marshmallows. They should be pretty easy to find. They are often located right by the other marshmallows in the grocery store or by the hot chocolate (another great way to use them, btw), and someone mentioned looking by the ice cream toppings.

Yield: 2-3 Dozen
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 12 mins
Total Time: 32 mins

From Mel's Kitchen Café  https://www.melskitchencafe.com/smores-chocolate-chip-cookies/

Coconut Milk Steel Cut Oats

Ingredients:

• 1 can (13.5 oz) coconut milk
• Water
• 2 cups steel cut oats
• Pinch of salt
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp vanilla 

For serving:

• Milk
• Mini/regular Chocolate Chips
• Coconut Flakes
• Chopped almonds

Directions:

1. Grease insert of the instant pot with cooking spray.
2. Pour can of coconut milk in a 4 cup liquid measuring cup and add water to reach 4 cups.  Pour the mixture into the instant pot.  Stir in the steel cut oats and salt.  
3. Secure lid and make sure valve is sealed.  Select manual button and dial up or down to 4 minutes.  When finished cooking let the pressure naturally release for 15-20 minutes before manually releasing.
4. Stir in brown sugar and vanilla. Serve with additional milk and extra add-ins. 

From Mels Kitchen Café 

https://www.melskitchencafe.com/coconut-milk-steel-cut-oatmeal/ 

Universal Truth Cookies

Ingredients:

 1 cup Brown Sugar

½ cup sugar (melted to soft)
½ cup butter
1 egg
1 egg yolk
2 tsp vanilla
2 1/8 cup flour
½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
1 Tbs water
2 cups chocolate chips (Ghirardelli)
1 cup caramel baking chips (Ghirardelli)

 Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and prepare pans with parchment paper

2. Combine sugars and butter with mixer until creamy. Add eggs, vanilla, and water and mix 1.5 minutes.
3. In separate bowl combine flour, baking soda, and salt.
4. Add dry ingredients to wet. Mix by hand until combined.
5. Stir in Baking chips.
6. Form 1 ½ inch balls and place on prepared pans. Bake for 11 minutes and add 2 minutes if needed or until edges are brown.

Earthquake Cake

*Spray the pan!*

1st Layer:

-1 Cup Chocolate Chips

-1 Cup Coconut

2nd Layer:

-German Chocolate Cake Mix

 

Prepare as directed on box. Pour over 1st layer

3rd Layer: 

Melt together in a sauce pan

- 1 cup butter

- 8 oz Cream Cheese

-1 lb Powdered Sugar

Pour over (around) first 2 layers

Bake 350 degrees 45-50 minutes.  May overflow in oven (put down foil in bottom of oven). 

Peanut Butter Cup Chocolate Pie Recipe

Yield one 9-10 inch pie 

Total time: 3 hours

Ingredients:

Oreo Crust-

1 package of Oreos

1/4 cup butter, melted

Filling-

1 cup creamy peanut butter

4 oz cream cheese, softened

1 container cool whip (8 oz), thawed

Chocolate Ganache

1 1/2 cup chocolate chips

1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

Toppings

Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, some cut in half, others chapped. (Can use the mini unwrapped kind)

Directions:

Oreo Crust-

Process the Oreo's in a food processor until fine crumbs remain.  In a large bowl, combine the crushed Oreo's with the melted butter.  Press this mixture evenly into a 10 inch pie pan sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.  Place in fridge until ready to use.

Filling-

In a large mixing bowl combine the peanut butter and cream cheese with an electric mixer until well blended.  Add the cool whip and stir with a spatula until mixed.  Spread this mixture on the crust and place in the freezer for 30 minutes.

Chocolate Canache-

Place Chocolate chips in a medium heat proof bowl.

In a small pot over low heat, heat the heavy cream until just before boiling

Pour the heavy cream over the chocolate chips and allow the moisture to stand for 1-2 minutes.  

Use spatula to stir the mixure until smooth.

Allow the ganache to come to room temperature before adding it to the pie.

Topping-

Before the chocolate hardens, add the peanut butter cups.  Start by adding the halved peanut butter cups around the edges.  Placing them as close or as far apart as you want.  Then add the chopped peanut butter cups to the center of the pie.

Cover the pie with tin foil and return to the freezer or fridge for 1-2 hours.  Before serving remove the pie from the freezer and let it sit for a few minutes to make cutting easier.  Cover freeze/refrigerate any leftovers.

Muddy Buddies

9 C Rice Chex or Crispix
1 C Semisweet Chocolate Chips
1/2 C Peanut Butter
1/4 C Butter
1 tsp Vanilla
1 1/2 C Powdered Sugar

Measure out the cereal and set aside in a large bowl.

Melt the butter then add chocolate chips and the peanut butter together, either in the microwave or on the stove top. Be careful not to burn it. Stir in vanilla. Pour mixture over cereal and stir until it is evenly coated. Pour into 1-2 gallon resealable gallon size bags.

Add powdered sugar to bags. Seal bag and shake until the cereal is well coated.

Store in an air tight container in the refrigerator.

Triple Chocolate Fudge Cake with Coconut Cream Filling

Coconut Frosting

Ingredients:

6 oz.       Evaporated Milk

2/3 C      Sugar

1/4 C      Butter/margarine

1             Egg (beat egg very well before adding!)

               Dash of Salt

1 tsp       Vanilla

1 1/3 C   Flaked Coconut

1/4 C      Pecans, finely chopped (optional)

Preparation:

In a sauce pan combine: milk, sugar, butter, egg and a dash of salt.  Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture thickens and bubbles (about 12 minutes).  Add Vanilla, Coconut and Pecans then cool. 

 Note: This is enough to frost the top of a 13x9x2 inch cake or two 8 inch layers.

Coconut Cream Filling

Coconut frosting (from above)

Whipped Cream

Preparation:

Take 1/3 of the coconut frosting and fold in whipped cream until you get a nice consistency (don’t add more than 2 cups).  This will be your filling in between your layers.

Fudge Chocolate Ganache (*I prefer this Ganache*)

1 C         Powdered Sugar            

1/2  C     Cocoa Powder

1/4 tsp    Salt                                                                  

1/3  C     Boiling water

1/3  C     Butter, softened                                               

1  tsp      Vanilla

Preparation:

Combine powdered sugar, cocoa, and salt.  Then add water and butter.  Blend well then add vanilla and stir.

Chocolate Ganache

1 Cup of Chocolate Chips

½ Cup Cream

Preparation:

Put in the microwave for 20 seconds then stir, repeat till melted and smooth.

(Note: Cut the amount in half. This does make a thin ganache to make thicker use less cream)

Cake & Frosting

1 Devils Food Box Cake

1 Chocolate Frosting

Preparation:

Make your favorite chocolate cake or use a Devil’s food box cake in round cake pans.

Make your favorite chocolate frosting or buy a fudgy chocolate frosting.

(Note: Make your cake in a 6 inch or 8 in pan.  The 9 inch makes the cake to thin.)

Assemble Cake as Follows:  

(Note: Assembling the cake works best after you have made all of the above.)

1)      Frost bottom layer entirely with your chocolate frosting.

2)      Pipe the chocolate frosting around the edge on the top of the first layer.

3)      Fill the coconut cream filling on the top of the first layer.

4)      Drizzle the chocolate ganache on top of the first layer.

5)      Place second cake layer on top of the first.

6)      Frost entire cake with chocolate frosting.

7)      Spread the coconut frosting in a circle on top of the cake.

8)      Use the chocolate ganache around the top edge of the cake to and drip down the sides of the cake.  Then make a lattice design on top. 

9)      Use the remaining chocolate frosting to decorate cake – optional.

Chocolate Fondue

Tips:

- Make sure everything is prepped before you turn the stove on.  

- Don't try and make the fondue in the pot. Do it on the stove first and transfer to the fondue pot after it's prepared.

- Do not leave the chocolate unattended after you've started - it will either clump, scorch or curdle if you walk away - don't know why, but it always happens to me. 

Ingredients:

2 ½ Cups Chocolate Chips

2 Cups Heavy Cream

1 Tbsp. Vanilla

Directions:

1. Combine the chocolate and the cream and heat over medium until the chocolate is melted, STIRRING CONSTANTLY.  Do not leave unattended!   

2. Add the vanilla off heat and stir until smooth.

3. Transfer to fondue pots and serve with:

Pound Cake

Fresh Fruit 

Bananas

Kiwi

Strawberries

Pineapple

Pretzels

Candy

Marshmallows

*The basics of this fondue is a chocolate ganache, all you would need to do to make truffles is scoop up little balls and roll it around in powdered sugar.  Add more cream and you can then chill the whole thing and whip it and it becomes chocolate mousse.

S'mores Dip

Ingredients:

1. 3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
2. 8 large marshmallows; cut in half (You can use mini marshmallows as an alternative)
3. Graham crackers for dipping

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
2. In a small cast iron skillet, put chocolate chips in an even layer.
3. Arrange the marshmallows on top of the chocolate.
4. Bake in the oven for 6-8 minutes, until marshmallows are lightly browned.
5. Remove from the oven and let stand for 5 minutes.
6. Serve with graham crackers for dipping. Skillet will be hot!

Andes Mint Cupcakes

Chocolate Cakes-

Ingredients:

1 cup sour cream

½ cup oil

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 eggs

¼ cup water

½ cup buttermilk

Devil’s Food Cake Mix

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line two cupcake pans with paper liners.

2. Using a whisk, mix sour cream, oil and vanilla extract together.  Add eggs one at a time, stirring well in between each addition. 

3. Alternate adding the cake mix and liquids (buttermilk and water), starting and ending with the cake mix. 

4. Fill liners 2/3 full and bake for 14-18 minutes, or until and inserted knife come out clean.

Chocolate Mint Filling-

Ingredients:

1/3 cup chocolate chips

2 tablespoons heavy cream

1 teaspoon peppermint extract or 3 drops of peppermint essential oil

¼ cup powdered sugar

**I like more chocolate in the middle of the cupcakes so I double the filling recipe.**  

Directions:

1. Melt chocolate chips and heavy cream together in the microwave or on the stovetop over medium heat.  Stir in peppermint extract and powdered sugar.

2. When cupcake come out of the oven, use a squeeze bottle to fill the cupcake with the filling, or use the filling as a ganache and dip the tops of the cakes into it.  

**If you would like a chocolate chunk in the middle of the cupcake let the filling cool for 5-10 minutes before filling the cupcake.  If you fill the cupcake when the filling is right off of the stove and hot the cupcake will soak it in.** 

Mint Buttercream Frosting-

Ingredients:

8 oz cream cheese

½ cup butter

3-4 cups powdered sugar

1 tablespoon heavy cream or milk

1 teaspoon peppermint extract or 6 drops of peppermint essential oil

green food coloring

Directions:

1. Beat cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy.  Add powdered sugar, heavy cream and peppermint extract and beat well.  Add green food coloring and stir well.

2. Pipe buttercream onto cooled cupcakes and top with extra Chocolate Mint Filling and an Andes Mint.

Candy Apples

 
Items Needed:

• Granny Smith Apples
• Caramel Apple wraps
• Almond Bark Chocolate: Milk Chocolate & White
• Crushed Candy: Butterfingers, Snickers, Heath
• Other Toppings: Graham Cracker Crumbs, Oreo (any flavor), Crushed Pretzels, Mini Chocolate Chips, Crushed Shortbread Cookies

Directions:

1. Wash Apples and pull out stem.  
2. Follow the directions on the back of the Caramel Apple Wraps.  
3. Allow Caramel to cool then dip in melted chocolate.  
4. Before the chocolate hardens add crushed candy or other toppings.  
5. Allow chocolate to harden, cut and enjoy!

Simple Favorite Combinations:

Caramel + Milk Chocolate + Butterfingers + White Chocolate Drizzle
Caramel + Milk Chocolate + Snickers + White Chocolate Drizzle
Caramel + White Chocolate + Oreo + Milk Chocolate Drizzle
Caramel + White Chocolate + Cinnamon Sugar + Milk Chocolate Drizzle

*Can substitute milk chocolate for semisweet chocolate.

Fancy Flavor Combos:

Apple Pie: Caramel + White Chocolate + Graham Cracker Crumbs (mixed with a hint of nutmeg and cinnamon).

Salted Caramel Pretzel: Caramel + White or Milk Chocolate + Crushed Pretzels + Mini Chocolate Chips or Toffee Bits + Chocolate Drizzle

Twix: Caramel + Milk Chocolate + Crushed Shortbread Cookies + Chocolate Drizzles