Jeweled Coconut Drops with Raspberry Preserves
Tender, chewy coconut cookies with a vibrant raspberry preserve filling, perfect for any occasion.
- Prep Time: 45
- Cook Time: 10
- Total Time: 55
- Yield: 36 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1/3 cup butter, softened
- 3 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 large egg yolk, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons orange juice
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3-3/4 cups sweetened shredded coconut, divided
- 1 cup seedless raspberry preserves, warmed
Instructions
- Cream butter, cream cheese, and sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy for 5 to 7 minutes.
- Beat in the egg yolk, orange juice, and almond extract until combined.
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually beat the dry flour mixture into the creamed wet mixture until just combined.
- Stir in 3 cups of the sweetened shredded coconut into the dough.
- Cover the dough and refrigerate it for about 30 minutes, or until it is easy to handle.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Shape rounded tablespoons of the chilled dough into small balls.
- Roll each dough ball in the remaining 3/4 cup of sweetened shredded coconut to coat.
- Place the coconut-coated dough balls 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets.
- Press a deep indentation into the center of each cookie with the end of a wooden spoon handle.
- Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown.
- Cool the cookies on the baking sheets for 1 minute.
- Using the wooden spoon, gently enlarge any indentations that may have closed or narrowed during baking.
- Carefully remove the cookies from the pans and transfer them to wire racks to cool completely.
- Once completely cool, fill the indentations of each cookie with the warmed seedless raspberry preserves.
Notes
Ensure butter, cream cheese, and egg yolk are at room temperature for best results.
Do not overmix the dough after adding flour to keep cookies tender.
Chilling the dough is essential for easy handling and preventing spread.
Use the end of a wooden spoon to create deep indentations for the preserves.
Warm the raspberry preserves slightly for easier filling.