Coconut Blossoms

I first made these cookies exactly 4 years ago.  I have been meaning to make them every Christmas since then, but it has never seemed to work out!  This year, I decided to make them for a cookie drive for the Air Force Base here.  These cookies are just like peanut butter blossoms, except they are a coconut and almond cookie instead of peanut butter.  Absolutely delicious.  You can use plain Hershey's Kisses or Hugs.  I like the Hugs, as the chocolate and white chocolate swirl is a particularly nice touch.  They are simple, really delicious, and so pretty!

Coconut Blossoms

1/3 cup butter, room temperature
3 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 egg yolk
2 teaspoons almond extract
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 cups shredded coconut
36 Hershey's Kisses, unwrapped
1 to 2 cups shredded coconut

Preheat the oven to 350F.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Cream together the butter, cream cheese, and sugar until light and fluffy.  Add the egg yolk and almond extract an beat until well blended.  Add the flour, baking powder, and salt, and beat until just combined.  Beat in the 3 cups coconut.

Scoop the dough into heaping tablespoon size balls, and roll in the extra shredded coconut.  Place the cookie dough balls on the prepared baking sheet (about an inch apart, as they won't spread during baking), and place in the preheated oven.  Bake for 10 minutes, or until lightly browned.  Remove the cookies from the oven and immediately press a chocolate kiss into each hot cookie.  After pressing the kisses into the cookies, let the cookies cool for several minutes on the pan before removing to a cooling rack to finish cooling.  Makes about 36 cookies

Enjoy! -Cardamommy