This is an old fashioned tender, cakey cookie. The sweet citrus batter is loaded with coconut, tart cherries and diced orange slice jelly candies. The coconut flavor is subtle but adds a nice texture.
My virtually adopted daughter, Lorraine, Not Quite Nigella sent me a delightful cookie cookbook, Betty Crocker’s Cooky Book, last Christmas. It’s a reproduction of the 1963 cookbook with the original recipes, illustrations and baking tips. I thought it would be fun to bake another recipe from this cute cookbook for this week’s 12 Weeks of Christmas Cookies post so I asked my son to pick a recipe from the Cooky Book.
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He chose Coconut Cherry Cookies which really surprised me because I didn’t think he was a big coconut fan. The recipe also included candied cherries and citron (I don’t know if he even knew what those are.) Since I knew that my husband would turn down a cookie that reminded him of fruit cake, I decided to substitute dried cherries and diced orange slice jelly candies.
I was a little nervous that the orange slices would be too sweet in the cookie, but the flavor was subtle and they were a great contrast to the tart cherries. My sons and I give this cookie two thumbs up. If you like a tender, cakey cookie, this is a fun one to try.
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Coconut Cherry Cookies
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter
- ½ cup shortening
- 1 cup sugar
- 3 eggs
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 ½ teaspoon lemon extract
- 1 teaspoon grated orange rind
- 3 ¼ cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ cup chopped dried cherries
- ¼ cup chopped orange slice jell candy
- 1 cup shredded coconut
Instructions
- Heat oven to 400º. Mix butter, shortening, sugar, and eggs thoroughly. Stir in sour cream, lemon extract and orange rind.
- Mix dry ingredients together; mix into butter mixture. Add cherries, orange slices and coconut.
- Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls on ungreased baking sheet. Flatten slightly.
- Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Tip: I used a little bit of flour on the cutting board to make dicing the orange slices easier.
Notes
If you’re interested in joining us for 12 Weeks of Christmas Cookies contact Brenda, Meal Planning Magic, mealmagic at gmail dot com. Be sure and check out all of the fabulous cookies the other 12 weeks of Christmas Cookies (and sweets) bakers baked up for this week.
Amy
Wow, these cookies look amazing. I love the way you substitute the ingredients with orange jelly candy! Who can resist a cookies that’s so gorgeous! Very festive color for the season too. 🙂
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella
I’m so glad that you’ve found the book useful mum! 😀 And I always look forward to your Christmas cookie round up-if I ever need a cookie recipe, I always go to you! 😀 xxx P.S. I wish you could be here for Halloween! 😉
Sue
These cookies are unique, especially with the orange jelly candies added. Fun and festive! I have that cookbook too:)
Katrina
What a yummy idea to add the orange slices. Great combo of flavors with the coconut, cherry and orange candy!
Erin@TheFoodMentalist
These look and sound delicious!
Lisa @ Sweet as Sugar Cookies
What a neat recipe.
theUngourmet
Oh the jelly candies are so fun in this cookie! I’d love to give these a try!
laurie
These would great for the holidays!
Blog is the New Black
I just found your blog tonight via an old link up from another site! Great blog! Look forward to reading more!
Barbara
Thanks! I hope you come back often.
Cathy at Wives with Knives
I’m always looking for a new cookie recipe. I think the dried cherries and orange slices are a very creative combo and I love the addition of the coconut.
ButterYum
Consider yourself pinned! My mother in law would love these… they have all the goodies she loves to eat. Thanks for sharing.
🙂
ButterYum
Barbara
Thanks for the pin!
Kristen
I am really intrigued by the orange slices. I know that my kids would love them in cookies (I would probably have to keep them from swiping them before they made it into the cookies!).
Barbara
I think half the bag was eaten before I made the cookies. 🙂 Luckily you don’t need very many for 1/4 cup.
Claire @ Claire K Creations
The first thing that popped into my head when you said ‘cakey’ cookie was… ooh you could sandwich them together with icing like a woopie pie! Cherry and coconut sounds very festive.
Barbara
They don’t spread very much, so be sure and flatten them well if you want to make whoppie pies. I think a citrus icing would be fabulous in the middle.
My Inner Chick
—Barbara,
I am making several of your cookies over the holidays….Including these little gems. OOOOOh. Loooove Lorraine (Not Quite Nigela) as well. xxx
GARLUTTI
Very original these cookies look great bsssMARIMI
gloria
These cookies look amazing Barbara, xxxgloria
Breand @ Meal Planning Magic
What an interesting combination of flavors but I’m glad to hear they turned out great! My list of to-try cookies is growing longer by the minute!
Blond Duck
Perfect for Christmas!
Joy
Great recipe.
Rosa
Delicious looking and sounding! I’d love one now with my tea.
CCeers,
Roosa