Simple Gourmet ~ Cherry & Blueberry Cookies (With Coconut)

These simple cookies are chewy
and bursting with flavor.

Ingredients:

2 cups dried cherries

2 cups dried blueberries

1/2 teaspoon rum extract (optional)*

2 cups of unsweetened flaked coconut

3 1/3 cups all purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon sea salt

1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) butter at room temperature

1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar

2/3 cup granulated sugar

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon coconut extract (optional)**

2 large eggs

parchment paper

foil

Method:

Preheat oven to 275*. Line a baking sheet with foil. Sprinkle the coconut evenly onto the foil lined baking sheet. Bake for 5 minutes. Remove from the oven and stir. Bake for approximately 5 more minutes or just until crisped and some of the coconut is golden brown. Set aside to cool. (Turn off oven.)

Cut the dried cherries in half and place in a medium saucepan. Add the blueberries and just enough water to cover the berries. Add the rum extract. Heat over medium heat just until the water starts to bubble. Remove from the heat and let stand for 10 minutes. Drain and set aside.

Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside. In a large bowl, beat together the butter, sugars, vanilla and coconut extracts until creamy. Add the eggs and mix well. Grandually mix in the flour mixture, at low speed, until all of the ingredients are well blended. Stir in the coconut and berries. Cover and chill for one hour or overnight.

Preheat oven to 350*. Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Roll tablespoons of dough into balls approximately 1 1/2 inches in diameter. (Or use a cookie scoop.) Place balls about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are lightly browned. Allow to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before moving to a cooling rack. 

Finish cooling completely. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Makes 8 to 10 dozen.

*The rum extract is optional, but I highly reccomend adding it to the berries because it greatly enhances the flavor of the berries. (It will be your secret, hidden ingredient.

**Even though the coconut extract is optional, it does add a nice flavor to the cookies.

 Note: I created these cookies for my kids and grandkids when they came for a visit. They instantly became a new family favorite!