These coconut thumbprint cookies are a combination of soft cookies, sweet, crunchy coconut, and a pretty pop of jam on top.
Prep Time40 minutesmins
Cook Time10 minutesmins
Total Time50 minutesmins
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Jeweled Coconut Drops REcipe
Servings: 32
Calories: 134kcal
Ingredients
1¼cupsall-purpose flour
1½teaspoonsbaking powder
⅓cupsalted sweet cream butter,softened
3ouncescream cheese,softened
¾cupgranulated sugar
2teaspoonsorange juice,pulp free
1¼teaspoonsalmond extract
1largeegg yolk
4½cupssweetened coconut flakes,divided into 3 cups and 1 ½ cup
½cupseedless strawberry jam
Instructions
Using a small mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and baking powder. Set it aside.
Using a medium-sized mixing bowl and a handheld mixer on medium-high speed, cream butter and cream cheese for 30 seconds.
Add the sugar and continue mixing on medium-high for another 30 seconds.
Lower the mixer speed to low, and add in the orange juice, almond extract, and egg yolk. Mix until completely combined.
Add in the flour mixture, and continue to mix on low just until well incorporated.
Fold in the 3 cups of coconut flakes. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside.
Add the remaining coconut flakes to a small mixing bowl and set it aside.
Using a 1 tablespoon cookie scoop, scoop out the cookie dough. Roll the scooped cookie dough into a ball.
Roll the cookie dough ball in the coconut flakes.
Place the rolled dough balls on the prepared baking sheet 2 inches apart.
Using the handle of a wooden or plastic spoon, carefully press into the center of the dough ball. Be careful not to flatten the dough balls.
Bake for 12 to 14 minutes. The center will seem just a bit wet, and the coconut will be slightly golden to light brown.
Remove from the oven, and allow the cookies to sit for 1-2 minutes.
Using a slightly larger handle, carefully press the center of the cookie.
Spoon in ½ teaspoon of the seedless strawberry jam into the depressed cookie center.
Allow the cookies to cool completely before serving.
Notes
It is very important to use pulp-free orange juice. Do not use Sunny D or any orange-flavored drink. It will not taste right.
Oven temperatures vary and may need to be recalibrated periodically to ensure they are accurate. Make sure to check your cookies at the lower end of the recommended baking time.
You can use a full teaspoon of the fruit jam, but the ½ teaspoon is just the right amount.