Monday, May 3

The most delicious coconut cookies ever

I hosted a bridal shower this weekend. It was a lovely occasion. The honoree was beautiful. The table was beautiful. The gifts were beautiful. The guests were beautiful. Everything was beautiful.
Except, of course, for the photos I took. To be honest, I forgot to take pictures. Can you believe it?

You can picture it in your mind's eye, though. Picture a table covered with a white linen cloth and yards of tulle. Imagine lots of tealights flickering. Conjure up the image of freshly baked cookies, crunchy crackers and yummy homemade dip, gorgeous fresh strawberries, a yummy cake surrounded by fresh pansies, and a beautiful crystal punch bowl filled to the brim with the most delicious punch you've ever had. Ummmm.

Okay, now picture that punch bowl, still holding quite a bit of punch. when one of my co-hostesses picked it up after the shower was over. Imagine it breaking into two pieces right in her hands. Visualize a waterfall of punch pouring over her clothes, onto to the table, all over the rug. Picture the bride, the mother of the bride, and the mother of the groom helping me throw towels onto my dining room rug to sop up the punch. Can you see it?

Yes, that's what happened at the end of this beautiful shower.

Oh, well. No one was hurt; the only casualty was my punch bowl (and perhaps my pride, but that's better off dead anyway). And I managed to take a couple of photos after all the mess was finally cleaned up.

The flowers. . . grocery store blooms of various kinds, mostly white, arranged in an antique vase:



A little vignette on my mother's dough cabinet. . . some pansies from my garden in a thrift store vase, the bride and groom's names written on a thrift store plate-turned-chalkboard, thrift store candlesticks painted Heirloom white, candles with a bit of Dollar Tree tulle tied around them, and some keys, just for fun:



And a few leftover coconut cookies:



And these, my friends, are the Most Delicious Coconut Cookies Ever. Coconut shortbread, to be exact. Try them. I promise you'll like them.

Coconut Shortbread Cookies

2 sticks butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups flaked coconut

Cream together butter, sugar, and vanilla extract. Add flour and coconut; mix well. Roll into 1-inch balls. Place on cookie sheet lined with parchment paper and flatten in a criss-cross design with a fork. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes or until edges are light brown. Remove from oven. Allow to sit on cookie sheet for a minute, then remove to a wire rack to cool completely. When cool, sprinkle with powdered sugar. Makes 3 1/2 dozen.

These really are the best coconut cookies I've ever eaten. They'll melt in your mouth and make your taste buds dance for joy. I think you'll want to serve them at the next shower you host. Just be careful with your punch bowl.

I'm linking to DIY Day at Kimba's and to Tabletop Tuesday at Marty's. Wonderful projects of every size can be found at these wonderful parties!

18 comments:

  1. Where do I begin? You did such a great job describing all the beauty that was surrounding you. Loved reading about the details since I have a daughter who is engaged. I did not see this accident coming with the punch bowl! Oh my word! I have had a crystal punch bowl break filled with dishwater (too heavy) and I assume that is exactly what happened with yours. I am so sorry, but it sounds as if you handled it quite well.

    I enjoyed the pictures you did provide and oh yes! Thanks for a scrumptious sounding cookie recipe! :)

    Hugs,
    Donna

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  2. Your story of breaking punch bowls is close to mine. My daughter's wedding reception was here at our house three weeks ago (was it only three weeks?), and as I was washing my favorite glass beverage dispenser, the one I'd searched for 18 months for-it broke in my hands in the sink. Oh, well. At least I broke it, not someone else.
    Love the flowers.

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  3. Everything just sounds so absolutely beautiful and perfect. Now the punch bowl. Oh my, what a mess. So sorry it broke, but so glad it was when the shower was over. Your flowers and vignettes are just stunning. Thanks so much for joining the party. Hugs, Marty

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  4. I'm so sorry about the punch bowl. You had me dreaming then the crash of punch brought me back :) Glad nobody was hurt.

    Sounds like a beautiful day. The cookie recipe is awesome. Hubby wants me to make him a batch.

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  5. Those cookies are now officially on my "To Bake" list. YUM!

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  6. I could soooooo visualize that beautiful table and the shower. Oh, I'm so sorry about the punch bowl mishap! Very glad no one was hurt. I absolutely MUST try those coconut cookies! Loved the flower arrangement and that little vignette on the dough cabinet. = ) I am certain it was a lovely and special day for the bride.

    Blessings,
    Tracy

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  7. I absolutely loved your post over @ Kimba's! It was beautiful!
    I too am a mom to 3 boys, and it is always so fun to hear and see other mom's who have the same :)
    Those cookies look delicious, may need to make them this week ;)

    Denissa

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  8. I make these cookies! In fact, I think the recipe s identical! They really are super good!

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  9. coconut shortbread? oh my... never knew of such a thing and now i want to hed to the kitchen!

    your party sounds so lovely... right up to the punch bowl incident! oh no! but i can imagine the beauty and the love floating all around your home... yep, i can!

    (at my sister's bridal shower i broke a cake plate... and almost sliced my pinky off!)

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  10. So sorry about the punch bowl. :( But your flowers are gorgeous, and the recipe sounds scrumptious!!! :)

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  11. I hate that you forgot to take pictures, but you did a great job describing it for us. I love the arrangement. It is beautiful. Carla

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  12. It looks like it was lovely even though you did forget to take pictures. I have that problem, too. Now you've got me scared my punch bowl will break in two. It's OLD. I'd better check it. And I would love to bake those cookies. My hips wouldn't love it, though.

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  13. How gorgeous!! I love coconut cookes, the recipe sounds delish!

    Karena
    Art by Karena

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  14. Oh, how awful for that punch bowl to break like that. I have never heard of coconut cookies, but I love coconut so I may have to try those.

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  15. Oh man, that is terrible about the punch bowl. :( Everything looked beautiful in the pics you've shown. The cookies look yummy even though I can't stand coconut. haha

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  16. Aww, man! What rotten luck! Well, as my Kiddo says, we don't believe in luck, but you know what I mean. : )

    I lurve coconut. And shortbread. Put the two together? MMMMMMMmmmmmmm......

    I WILL be trying that one out.

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  17. Mmmmmmm, those sounds great!

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  18. Wow they do look wonderful and I love coconut, but I can't have butter!! ah well, I can look and imagine the aroma!

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