Macaroon Cookies

     Hello!  It's Recipe Tuesday and today's recipe for macaroon cookies comes from the back of a Hershey Kiss chocolate bag.  Originally, the recipe calls for a Hershey Kiss on top but, believe it or not, I'm not a fan of Hershey Kisses.  Not wanting to miss an opportunity to add chocolate to a cookie, I decided to melt semi-sweet chocolate chips in the microwave and drizzle the mixture on top.
     Aaron and I are HUGE fans of coconut so this recipe was a no-brainer.  The center of the cookie is incredible soft, creamy and practically melts in your mouth, while the toasted coconut on the outside adds a little bit of crunch.  There's a hint of almond and orange which makes this cookie so unique. 
Macaroon Cookies

• 1/3 cup butter, softened
• 3 oz cream cheese, softened
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 egg yolk
• 2 tsp almond extract
• 2 tsp orange juice
• 1 1/4 cup flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 5 cups sweetened coconut flakes, divided
• 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips or 40 Hershey Kisses

1.  Beat butter, cream cheese and sugar in stand mixer on medium speed until well blended.  Add egg yolk, almond extract and orange juice; blend well.

2. In separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt; gradually add to butter mixture.  Stir in 3 cups coconut.  Cover; refrigerate 1 hour or until firm enough to handle.

3.  Preheat oven to 350.  Shape dough into 1-inch balls; roll in remaining 2 cups coconut.  Place on un-greased cookie sheet.

4. Bake 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned.  Immediately press Hershey Kiss into center of each cookie OR (if drizzling chocolate on top) immediately press cookie flat with back of spatula*. 

5.  Cool 1 minute.  Carefully remove to wire rack and cool completely.

* If drizzling chocolate on top, melt chips in microwave-safe bowl and then place mixture in zip-top bag with one corner snipped off.  Use the bag to pipe chocolate on each cookie. 

     On a different note, I thought I'd show you the newest addition to my Kitchen Aid mixer - the Flex Edge Beater!  This little attachment has a wiper/spatula on one side that ensures nothing, and I mean nothing, sticks to the side or bottom of the bowl.  In other words, NO MORE stopping the mixer and scraping the bowl during the mixing process - yipee! 

       

     I purchased mine at Bed, Bath & Beyond for $29 (here) and it's available for 5 and 6 qt bowls.  I can safely say this purchase was money well spent!