Coconut Rice Krispie Treat Cookies

 

Happy Birthday, Sarah!  Sending lots of love from Columbus!

 

Sarah and I have shared a lot over the years.  Aside from the obvious blonde hair and blue eyes...

 

We are both proud alumni of Miami of Ohio (Go Redhawks!)...

 

where we were both members of Pi Beta Phi (angel sis for life)...

 

where we also happily lived in the best house on campus, Hoedown.

 

Sarah went on to live in Chicago and a few years later, I joined her in the windy city!

 

 BUT, we still share a strong LOVE for Ohio State football (O-H...!) and our Columbus roots.

 

Although there are a few hundred miles between us now, we still share things like recipes, restaurant reviews AND an obsession with all things coconut.  Which brings me to these cookies...

 

If you recall, I had lots of leftover rice krispie treat scraps from my cut-outs last week.  Seeing as I didn't want them to go to waste, I began brainstorming.  The Coconut Rice Krispie Treat cookie was born.  These are so insanely chewy from the ground oats, coconut and rice krispie treat bits.  I was pretty proud of myself for coming up with this concoction and knew the only person who would appreciate a coconut packed cookie as much as I do, is Sarah :)

 

**Note:  I realize most people don't have chopped up rice krispie treats laying around.  Soooo you can either make a batch OR buy the pre-made rice krispie treats at the store.  Whole Foods even sells them in the bakery if you're against the whole processed foods things.

 

Cranberry Orange Granola

 

I realize I post a lot of granola recipes.  Hopefully, you love it just as much as I do.  I mean, how can you not?  The possibilities are endless when it comes to variety and flavor combinations! 

 

In case you haven't noticed, the blog got a little face lift.  It was long overdue.  I also updated the "about me" section and I have my wonderful AND creative sister, Sarah, to thank for that!  I said thank you with a bag full of granola -- bursting with citrus flavor, lightly sweetened with honey and packed full of good-for-you ingredients like coconut oil, flax seeds and plenty of nuts and seeds.   

 

I had to save some for myself, especially after I saw ohJoy! snacking on homemade granola with honey and riccotta -- a delightful little afternoon treat!   

Orange Creamsicle Cupcakes

 

So I said I wasn't making Molly a cake for her birthday.  Well I just couldn't help myself....

 

Everyone is entitled to unlimited cakes, cupcakes and treats on their birthday so she got just that....

 

#1:  Mike made her a delicious Funfetti Cake that we all enjoyed after her birthday dinner.

#2:  Orange Creamsicle Cupcakes inspired by our favorite cake at Cru Cafe in Charleston, SC!

#3: Last but definitely not least, a fresh strawberry cake from Columbus's Golden Delight Bakery from my Aunt and Uncle.  Also, a family favorite!

 

That's THREE cakes.  I'd say she had a good birthday.

Anyways, about these cupcakes.... as mentioned above, they were inspired by the famous cake served at our favorite lunch spot in Charleston, SC.  They make limited cakes each week and once they run out, you are out of luck.  So when you go (and you must), make sure to order the Orange Sherbet Cake as soon as you sit down!  So until I can get my Cru Cafe fix, and it looks like that might be a while, I'll be relying on this recipe!

Blondies

 

The blondie is so unassuming. It might be a bold statement but this might be my favorite recipe -- I actually pride myself on it. In fact, if I were to go into business right now, blondies would be my specialty. I've made several variations to the base but the original version is still my favorite -- a chewy bar studded with white AND dark chocolate with sweetened coconut tossed in for good measure. I made these for the bake sale that I hosted a few weeks ago and these were a huge hit.

 

I've shared this recipe before but I feel the need to share it again because I don't think they got the credit they deserved the first time around! My photography skills are slowly beginning to improve so I thought I'd update the pictures too :)

Pumpkin "7-Layer" Magic Bars

 

This past weekend my mom gave me the task of making dessert for a family lunch.  On the menu was a baked potato bar and turkey chili.  The perfect Fall lunch if you ask me so we had to have the perfect Fall dessert.  I can be very indecisive when it comes to menu planning -- especially deciding on desserts.  I sifted through all of my recipes and shared a few options with my mom.  She picked these... I was hesitant...  BUT I'm so glad I let her pick.  These were top notch. 

 

I feel like a broken record but, I'll say it one more time, I am obsessed with pumpkin and all of the flavors of Fall.  Pumpkin, apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves -- all of these flavors come together in this "magic bar".  I even decided to use gingersnaps as the base instead of a graham cracker crust -- so happy I did! 







Caramel Coconut Bars

 

If you are reading this from the East Coast (and have power!), I hope you are safe and I'm thinking of you! 

 

My mom and I sent a little Halloween package to Sarah in Chicago with these tasty little squares.  I know how much she loves coconut and caramel so I thought these would be perfect!  They have a chewy coconut cookie base, layered with caramel and chocolate and coconut, for garnish.  As I typed this, I realized these are almost identical to the homemade somoa bars but these are definitely easier to throw together.  However, both are delish and combine my favorite flavors so take your pick! 

 

Almond Joy Cookies

These cookies put a little spin on your traditional chocolate chip variety -- taking flavors from an Almond Joy.  If you love coconut as much as I do, you will love these.  The moisture from the shredded coconut creates a soft and chewy texture.  I'm already thinking of other chocolate chip "candy bar" cookies that I can make -- next up, I think a Snicker's cookie is in order.

Coconut Truffles

Hello!!  It feels so good to be back!  Hopefully, we still have a few readers out there.  To those who have continued to check back week after week for updates, thank you!  After the long hiatus, I have a few goodies coming your way this week.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter weekend.  Sarah and I met for Mass and brunch today so I brought her these coconut truffle eggs -- we love, love, love coconut.  These truffles taste exactly like a Mounds bar.  I opted not to use dark chocolate but you can use whatever you prefer!  They would also be great topped with a roasted almond to mimic an Almond Joy.

I also want to apologize for not providing measurements in "cups".  I recently purchased a kitchen scale -- they do say it is much more accurate for baking.  I neglected to measure out the ingredients after weighing them so I have left you with measurements in grams and ounces.  Perhaps it will prompt you to purchase a kitchen scale of your own -- I promise you will use it more often than you think.

Lemon Cookies with White Chocolate and Toasted Coconut

This recipe was inspired by a few of my favorite ingredients -- they ended up pairing together so nicely and created one delicious cookie!  These are crispy on the outside but chewy on the inside.  The white chocolate is such a compliment to the lemon and the coconut is very subtle.

Blueberry Coconut Crumb Bars

Blueberries have never really been my berry of choice -- until this year.  I have been buying blueberries non-stop.  Eating them straight from the carton.  So not like me.  Finally, I got to the point where I had purchased way too many.  How convenient that I had just bookmarked this recipe?  

The coconut in the recipe caught my eye.  I was intrigued because I had never thought to pair blueberries with coconut.  These turned out so good.  So good that I will definitely be making them again -- next time, with more coconut!  

One more thing, mine turned out pretty crumbly but I didn't mind.  They would be perfect served with vanilla ice cream.  If only I had vanilla ice cream?  

Chocolate Dipped Graham Macaroons

I absolutely love a simple coconut macaroon.  When I came across this recipe which includes graham cracker crumbs, I went right home and made these.  The chocolate dip as a finishing touch is clearly an added bonus.  Enjoy!!

Morning Glory Muffins

These muffins have just about every great ingredient you can think of for a muffin!  They are the perfect healthy kick-start to your day.  My mom brought these delicious muffins to have for breakfast when she and my aunt came to visit last weekend; they were a hit!

Homemade Samoas

Homemade Samoa Bars

Just in case you missed the sale of Girl Scout Cookies... or you've already made your way through every box in the house, I have a solution for you.  Homemade Samoas (my personal favorite).  You can also head on over to Baking Bites to find a collection of recipes for a variety of your favorite Girl Scout Cookies.  I have plans to make homemade Tagalongs in the very near future.  Stay tuned!

One Year Ago:  Homemade Granola Bars

White Chocolate, Caramel & Coconut Cookies

These cookies are so good!  Think chewy sugar cookie, combined with gooey caramel and white chocolate, with the crunch of toasted coconut.  The flavor combination was right up my alley!  I was searching through my cupboard one morning and these were the three ingredients I spotted first -- and the white chocolate, caramel & coconut cookie was born.

Homemade Chocolate Granola

I came across a recipe for Chocolate Granola via the lovely and talented La Tartine Gourmande (I could browse through her photography all day).  Of course, my first thought was, "Why haven't I already made this?"  I love homemade granola, I love chocolate, so it would only make sense.  Turns out -- it is as amazing as it sounds.

A few of our other favorite granola recipes:
Maple Almond Granola
Pumpkin Spice Granola
Homemade Granola Bars

One Year Ago:  Four Cheese Mac & Cheese

German Chocolate Whoopie Pies

German Chocolate Whoopie Pies -- I came across this recipe in Bon Appetit last month.  I was waiting for the perfect opportunity to make these and it came this past week.  My good friend Kristin celebrated her birthday on Tuesday.  We have the same taste when it comes to desserts -- the more chocolate the better, the sweeter the better.  I knew she would love these. 

Key Lime Cupcakes with White Chocolate Frosting

These are the perfect summer treat!  The cupcake has a subtle hint of key lime that makes it very refreshing.  Although I liked the cupcake itself very much, the icing on these is what is amazing!!  This white chocolate frosting recipe can be used on just about anything.  It is so fluffy and the white chocolate doesn't overwhelm the flavor of the cake.  I sprinkled coconut on the frosting to add another element to this summer cupcake.

ANZAC Biscuits

The official name of these cookies are Australia New Zealand Army Corp Biscuits.  They are a traditional New Zealand cookie and I got a hold of the recipe from a neighbor of mine's au pair.  The secret ingredient is golden syrup; a light colored English brand of golden syrup.  I found this at a local gourmet grocery store.  When I first read through the recipe I wasn't sure how these would turn out.  But I'm sure glad I tried it because these cookies are great!  They have lots of flavor and they melt in your mouth from the butter and syrup.  So if you're tired of making your standard chocolate chip cookie recipe I would definitely recommend you try these!

Banana-Rum-Coconut Cookies

These cookies are a great healthy option.  This is a low-fat recipe, containing no butter and no eggs.  But take my word for it, they are still delicious!  These healthy banana cookies have a texture that is more like a muffin top; they are very soft and chewy.  Oh, and they are very easy to make!  Enjoy :)

Oat Chocolate Chip Cookies with Pecans and Coconut

These just might be my new favorite cookie.  I came across the recipe on Apple-a-Day and I knew I had to make them.  The addition of whole wheat flour was not intentional.  I realized I was almost out of flour once I had already started making them.  Since I don't have a car, there was no way I was running to the grocery store.  Luckily, they turned out great!  In fact, I wouldn't change a thing about them!