I spent the first 10 days of the new year at my sister and brother-in-laws house, because my sister had knee surgery and she needed a little help around the house during her recovery. I was glad that I was able to go lend a hand, and it was nice to get some extra time together, even if that time did consist of watching her grimace in pain as she worked to get used to her new knee, and trying to get 3 dogs to do I wanted them to, when they saw no reason whatsoever that they should have to listen the likes of me.

Riley has some behavior issues, with which I would sooner not deal, [I’m looking at you, UPS man], but he is a compliant dog for the most part. Louise has 3 Australian Cattle Dogs, and these are dogs of a different stripe. They are pretty sure they already know how the world ought to run, and things like getting out of the kitchen when I’m cooking, or coming inside when I call them, are not necessarily on their agenda. Fortunately, I love them and we got along, though I am sure they will have some disturbing dreams where the words “Get out of this kitchen!!!” will be highly featured.

In any case, I decided that we people needed some cookies, because, as everyone knows, all orthopedic surgeries are best followed by massive doses of baked goods. It’s quite complicated; all about endorphins, and micro nutrients and such. Too involved to go into here, but you can trust me, because I am a professional: In cases like this, cookies are essential.

I was a bit constrained by my brother-in-law’s abhorrence of all nuts, and by the ingredients they had on hand, because my sister doesn’t bake as much as I do, but I managed to pull together something I’m really happy with. Two more tests at home have confirmed the results – these are amazing! They are bar cookies, which means you can get them mixed up in no time at all, with just a hand mixer if you don’t feel like dragging out the big-girl stand mixer. It also means that the flavor and texture will improve the longer they sit. On the other hand, they are delicious straight out of the oven too. Fortunately, this recipe will double quite nicely, so you can enjoy them now and later on.

Orange Coconut Slices

Donalyn Ketchum

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 32 minutes mins

Total Time 42 minutes mins

Servings 16 slices

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1/2 cup soft butter
• 1 cup light brown sugar firmly packed
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla
• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• zest of 1 large orange
• 1/2 cup shredded sweetened coconut
• 1/2 cup bitter sweet chocolate chips

Instructions

 

• Preheat the oven to 350º
• Generously butter a 9 inch round cake pan, line bottom with a round of parchment paper, butter again. You may also use an 8 in square pan, prepared the same way.
• In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar
• Beat in the eggs and vanilla
• Add the flour, baking powder and salt to the bowl and beat until combined
• Switch to a wooden spoon and mix in the orange zest, coconut and chocolate chips. You could use the beater to mix these in, but the zest and coconut will get stuck in the beaters. I just think it's easier to use a spoon.
• Spread the batter in the prepared pan and place on the middle rack of the preheated oven. Bake for about 30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

My sister took her mind off her physical therapy long enough to suggest these just might be good if one warmed them slightly, plopped on a nice big dollop of vanilla ice cream and then drizzle or two of fudge sauce. She was SO right. I guess I am not the only expert in the family!