. . . brown butter beauties & cherry coconut mounds

Sweet heart's day is just a few days away. . .

. . . so it seemed like the perfect time to. . . 

. . . make a few. . .

. . . pretty treats. . .

. . . for the ones we love.

 

Brown Butter Beauties and Cherry Coconut Mounds
{Recipe adapted from here}

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt (plus a bit more for sprinkling
• 1 bag semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 bag shredded sweetened coconut
• Dried Cherries

In a pan over low heat, melt the butter and swirl it around until it begins to brown.  Remove from heat when it reaches a nice golden color and transfer it to a bowl. Chill until it becomes solid (but not hard).

When your butter is ready, cream it with the sugar until light and fluffy.  Add the vanilla extract and then the flour. making sure not to over mix.  When the flour is incorporated, roll your dough into a log and wrap in parchment or plastic wrap.  Chill until it becomes firm.  When it becomes firm, slice the log into 1/4" discs and place on a parchment lined sheet.  Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes or until they become a bit more golden around the edges. Cool on a wire wrack.

While the cookies are cooling, melt your chocolate in a double boiler or in a metal bowl over a pot of simmering water.  On a new parchment lined baking sheet, take a spoon and swirl circles of chocolate about 1" in diameter, roughly 1" apart.  Take your coconut and place small mounds on top of each chocolate circle.  Place a dried cherry on top of the coconut and carefully drop small spoonfuls of chocolate over each mound to coat. Chill in the refrigerator until solid.

When the cookies are cool, dip one side in the remaining melted chocolate and place on a parchment lined sheet. Sprinkle the chocolate covered side with a touch of salt and chill until solid.

Wrap your cookies and candies and boxes and give them to your loves on Friday.

 

With the Kids: Mix up the cookie dough together and roll it into a log. Invite the kids to dip the cookies in chocolate and mound the coconut and cherries. Ask them to make a list of the people they would like to make treats for and share why they love them. Make notes and tags to go on the boxes of treats. Pack up the gifts and go on a walk to deliver them (or pop them in the mail). Take a moment to tell each other how much you appreciate one another.

 

Happy Valentine's Day!

~ Sarah

*Last time in Recipes: Easy Vegan Breakfast Bar