Mollys Coconut Cookies Food

GINGERSNAP COCONUT ICEBOX CAKE

Steps:

• Line a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan with parchment to overhang the edges and set aside. Carefully remove the coconut milk cans from the refrigerator so the fat and liquid remain separated. Spoon the hardened coconut cream from the can and place in a large bowl (save the liquid for another use, such as smoothies).
• Beat the coconut cream in a medium bowl with an electric mixer on high speed until fluffy and medium peaks form. Reduce the speed to low and add the confectioners' sugar, vanilla, ground ginger, zest of 1/2 lime and salt and beat until just combined. Gently fold in the crystalized ginger with a rubber spatula.
• Place 8 of the Gingersnap Cookies in an even layer on the bottom of the prepared loaf pan (they may overlap just slightly and that is okay). Spread a heaping 1/2 cup of the coconut cream mixture on top, then repeat the process 4 more times, ending with the remaining coconut cream on top. Garnish with the zest from the other lime half, the toasted coconut and sprinkles (if using).
• Cover and refrigerate until the cookies are completely softened, 6 hours and up to overnight.
• Stir together the flour, cinnamon, ginger, baking powder, allspice, baking soda, cloves and salt in a medium bowl. Beat the butter and sugar in a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment on high speed until light, about 1 minute. Scrape down the sides and add the egg and molasses. Beat until well combined. Add the flour mixture and beat on low speed until the dough comes together and cleans the sides of the bowl.
• Divide the dough into 2 portions. Lay out a piece of plastic wrap about 16 inches long. Form one portion of the dough into a log and place at one end of the plastic. Roll the plastic around the dough and roll with your hands to make a log about 8 inches long and 1 1/2 inches wide. Twist the ends to seal well. Repeat with the remaining dough. Chill until firm, at least 2 hours. (You can also freeze the dough, using directly from the freezer.)
• To bake, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F with a rack in the top and bottom thirds. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Remove the plastic from a dough log and cut 1/4-inch-thick rounds (a serrated knife works well), placing them about an inch apart on the baking sheets. Bake, rotating the sheets from top to bottom halfway through, until the cookies are crisp and golden on the bottoms and edges, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove to a rack to cool. Repeat with the remaining dough.

CHOCOLATE PECAN SANDWICH COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• Spread pecan halves on a parchment lined baking sheet in a single layer and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until roasty and fragrant. Remove from the oven and cool. Transfer the pecans to a cutting board and give them a rough chop. Allow chopped pecans to cool completely.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, and salt. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat together the butter, half of the sugar (1/4 cup), and vanilla until pale and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula and add the flour, cocoa powder and salt mixture. Mix on low until all of the dry ingredients are incorporated. Add the pecans and the sprinkles and mix until just combined.
• Line a work surface with a large piece of parchment paper. Scrape the dough out onto the parchment paper and gather it together with your hands. Roll into a 6 1/2-inch-long log that is about 2 inches wide. Tightly wrap the dough in parchment paper, twisting the ends so it's airtight. Refrigerate until the dough is firm, for 2 hours or overnight.
• Set an oven rack in the middle position. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
• Spread the remaining granulated sugar on a plate and roll the log in the sugar to coat completely.
• Slice the log into eighteen 1/4-inch discs and place them on the baking sheet evenly spaced apart. Bake in the center of the oven until the cookies are no longer shiny and slightly puffed; begin checking for doneness at 16 minutes. Let cool on the pans.
• Using a 1/2-ounce scoop or a spoon, dollop about 1 tablespoon of the filling on the bottom of 12 of the cooled cookies. Sandwich with another half and smush lightly. Enjoy immediately or store in an airtight container on the counter until you eat them all.
• Cream together butter and caramel until smooth. Add powdered sugar and salt and whip until combined and light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes.

GIANT SPRINKLE MACAROONS

Steps:

• For the macaroons: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment and set aside.
• In a large bowl, combine the condensed milk, vanilla and almond extract. Mix in the coconut and set aside.
• In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites and salt until stiff peaks form. Fold the egg whites into the coconut mixture, then gently fold in the sprinkles. Spoon lightly packed 2-inch balls of the mixture onto the baking sheets, 1 inch apart, and sprinkle the tops with more sprinkles.
• Bake until golden brown; begin checking for doneness at 18 minutes. Let cool for a few minutes on the baking sheets, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
• For the topping: Place the sprinkles in a shallow dish. Microwave the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second increments, stirring after each, until melted (or melt in a saucepan over low heat, stirring often).
• Dip the bottoms of the macaroons in the chocolate, scrape off any excess and then dip the chocolate in the sprinkles. Place back on the parchment and let cool at room temperature or in the fridge. These can be kept at room temperature for about 3 days or in the fridge for up to a week.