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Freshly Baked Coconut Nests

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There are various names for this treat, i.e.Β Thimble Cookies, Bird’s Nest Cookie, Coconut Nests, Thumbprint Cookies, Coconut Thumbprint Cookies, Birds Nest cookies, to name but a few.Β Β 

This is an easy, delicious, and flavorful coconut cookie for any occasion to enjoy with your friends with a cup of tea or coffee.

What do you call them?  Do you have a different name for this treat?

Coconut Nests
Print
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an image of a white plate filled with Coconut Nests with a jam centre

Freshly Baked Coconut Nests

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  • Author: Esme Slabbert
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cooling and Decorate: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 20 1x
  • Category: Cake, Cupcakes, Cookies and Tarts

Description

Perfect afternoon tea or coffee time treat.


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 1/2 cup flour
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • Pinch salt
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • Coconut for rolling
  • Jam, Raspberry or Apricot

Instructions

    1. Beat together sugar and butter until light and fluffy.
    2. Add egg yolk and mix well.
    3. Sift in the flour and add the salt and make it into a soft dough.
    4. Depending on the size of the egg and temperature, you may have to use more or less flour.
    5. Break into little pieces and roll the dough into 1 – 1ΒΌ inch balls.
    6. Make a little indentation/hole in the center with the back of a wooden spoon handle or your finger.
    7. Dip each ball in egg white and roll in coconut.
    8. If you like you can color the coconut with food coloring for extra color.
    9. Place the nests on a parchment-lined cookie sheet and bake at 180C / 350F for 10-15 minutes until lightly colored.
    10. Allow cooling.
    11. Whisk the jam in a bowl to get a smooth consistency, and easy to pipe.
    12. You can also just scoop it with a teaspoon into the center of each coconut nest.

Notes

Prepared, tried, and tested by Jennifer from The Recipe Hunter: Tried and Tested Recipes from Home Chefs

Recipe Card powered byTasty Recipes

Some History on the Thumbprint Cookie

There is a considerable amount of dispute about the origin of these thumbprint cookies. It is believed that the Jews from East Europe invented them. However, the other belief states that these cookies were first produced in Poland. They have become extremely popular all over the world and make for a perfect snack item. These cookies were also known as birds nest cookies or butter balls.

Similar Recipes

Why not take a look and check out my Thumbprint Cookies

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6 thoughts on “Freshly Baked Coconut Nests”

  1. These look delicious, Esme! I have made thumbprint cookies before, but never with coconut. I love that addition. I think I have to try them with some apricot jam. Yum!

    Reply

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