I love baking and usually spend time baking with my son at weekends. He loves…
Coconut Thumbprint Cookies
Coconut thumbprint cookies are a delicious coconut cookie with a filling of jam. Perfect to enjoy with a cup of tea.
There is something about Christmas that makes me want to bake. There is nothing nicer than filling the house with the scent of baking biscuits. It mingles well with the scents I associate with the season, pine needles, gingerbread, orange and cinnamon and warming hot chocolate. All that is needed is a warming log fire to sit beside and watch the flames crackle as it snows outside.
It is always a good idea to have some biscuits on hand to serve to unexpected guests. Christmas always brings old friends calling at the door to deliver cards and catch up on news.
Recently I made some coconut thumbprint cookies. Thumbprint cookies are given this name because of the indentation in the middle that is filled up with jam. They are pretty to look at and would make a lovely addition to the Christmas tea table. You can use different types of jam and even marmalade to make different coloured centres for an interesting look.
I chose to make coconut thumbprint cookies as I had recently been sent some lovely coconut products from Coconut Merchant and this gave me a great excuse to try them.
Coconut merchant is a new British brand that has been launched in the UK that offers a diverse range of products made from coconut. They work closely with farmers and cooperatives in South East Asia, to ensure all products are ethically sourced from farmers who are fairly paid and respected for their produce.
Coconut is a super food which medium-chain fatty acid known as Lauric Acid, which may help lower cholesterol and can kill harmful pathogens such as bacteria, viruses and fungi. It also tastes really nice.
I was really surprised by the range of products from Coconut Merchant. They had everything, from coconut chips to coconut jam. One thing that did surprise me was the Coconut Merchant Extra-Virgin Organic Raw Coconut Oil. 300ml jar RRP £5.99 It has lots of different uses from cooking and baking to being a great moisturiser for your skin. I was however surprised to learn it is also good for dogs. A little bit can be added to their diet to improve digestion and the condition of their fur. It can also be used directly on the coat during a wash to keep their fur soft. As with anything only small amounts should be added to their diet. My dog loved it.
For my coconut thumbprint cookies I made use of the Coconut Merchant Coconut Snack Chips which come in 40g resealable bags RRP £1.49. I crushed these and used them to cover half the biscuits. The chips are really tasty and I must admit I managed to eat quite a few while I was baking. They are the ideal size for taking to work for a healthy snack. To fill my biscuits I used the Coconut Merchant Coconut Jam 330g jar RRP £5.99. The coconut jam is winner of a Great Taste Award 2015 and Highly Commended in the Free From Food Awards 2015. I have to admit to being really intrigued to what it tasted like. Having tasted it I still can’t describe it. The consistency is like that of nutella and the jam itself has a almost caramel like taste, without being as sweet. It is really nice and my son loves it. It worked really well in the centre of the biscuits.
The great thing about this recipe is it makes 24 biscuits, so you can store some away in a tin for unexpected guests. Having said that biscuits of any kind never last long in my house, my teenage son is always on the search for food. These were delicious and make a perfect afternoon treat. If you want to try the Coconut Merchant products yourself they are currently available on-line from www.coconut-merchant.com, Amazon and Grape Tree stores, and selected products from Selfridges, Planet Organic, ASDA, Tesco, Revital and The Health Rack – as well as other independent stores.
Coconut Thumbprint Cookies Recipe
Coconut Thumbprint Cookies
Ingredients
- 230 g butter
- 100 g sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- 260 g flour
- 100 g crushed coconut chips
- Coconut jam
Instructions
- Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy
- Separate the egg whites from the yolks.
- Add the yolks and vanilla extract to the butter mix.
- Add the flour and salt and mix until a dough is formed.
- Place in the fridge for half an hour. In the meantime whisk the egg whites until fluffy.
- Preheat the oven to 180C, Gas Mark 4
- Roll the dough into small balls. Dip half in the egg white and roll in the coconut chips.
- Place on a baking tray lined with baking parchment.
- Press down with your thumb to make a dip in the centre of each biscuit and fill with a little jam
- Bake for 12-15 minutes until firm. Allow to cook for a few minutes on the tray then move to a wire rack to finish cooling
If you are looking for other ideas for festive bakes, why not try Linzertorte Biscuits which look very stylish on the table.
Christmas Wreath Biscuits also look pretty and Mincemeat biscuits are a great way to use up leftover mincemeat from mince pies.
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says
I tried some of those coconut chips the other day, but they were dipped in chocolate too. AMAZING!
Dragons and Fairy Dust says
Now that is a good idea, chocolate dip for the coconut chips. I must try that
Sarah (@tamingtwins) says
I love a thumbprint cookie. Something so perfect about a little pile of gooey deliciousness in the middle of a biscuit..
PS These would be perfect to link up to my FestiveFoodFriday linky over on my blog if you fancy joining in. This week’s is live until Tuesday night or there will be another next Friday 🙂
Dragons and Fairy Dust says
Whoops just missed it but will try and pop over on Friday 🙂
Galina V says
Delightful cookies, and a new brand to look for. I love all things coconutty.
Dragons and Fairy Dust says
Thank you. The coconut chips were gorgeous, they did not last long at all
International Elf Service says
Oooh these look delicious and they have a very catchy title so I had to have a look! I’ll def give these a go. The youngest will LOVE to provide the thumbprint! Do join Christmas Traditions & Magic For Children over on FB if you’re feeling Christmassy 🙂
Dragons and Fairy Dust says
They do taste lovely as well. Will pop over and have a look
Honest mum says
Oh wow, two tasty biscuit recipes here! Love coconut too! Thanks for linking up to #tastytuesdays x
Cheryl Pasquier says
Oooh thumbprint cookies – they look like a fabulous idea for baking with the kids, definitely one to try 🙂
Dragons and Fairy Dust says
Perfect fun for kids, they can roll them in the nuts and make holes in the cookies
Angla / Only Crumbs Remain says
Ooh gosh, that takes me right back to baking with my mum when I was small – we often made jam thumb cookies! But the inclusion of coconut sounds delicious, I adore coconut!
Angela x
Dragons and Fairy Dust says
The coconut was gorgeous, those chips can be just eaten by the handful