Coconut Chai Oatmeal Cookies

Shall we with some cookies? I think these coconut chai oatmeal cookies will do.

I know we just had a cookie recipe last week and – full confession- I’ve got another dessert recipe coming right up next.  I’m on a dessert kick and I make no apologies for it. Winter has been loooong.

Anyway, as for this one, I love oatmeal cookies but only – and a big only – if you take the raisins out. My favorites are these cowboy beauties – shoot, or are they these coconut and fennel ones? Though I guess neither are really true oatmeal cookies. I guess these aren’t really either but clearly I don’t mind not being a purist about it. If you want that- go see Quaker.

I’ve had chai-inspiration on my mind ever since I made this cake, and have been adding that special mix of spices to my oatmeal every morning since. I opted to turn that healthy breakfast situation into this definitely not-as-healthy dessert situation.  No one is mad about it.

I will admit that when I have somewhere to go in a quick hurry and want a fail safe cookie recipe, I go no further than Smitten Kitchen. These are truly the best chocolate chip cookies out there (IMO). And while I do have some classic favorite of my own (peanut butter cookies), I more often than not try to make them a little fun and funky.  Today’s coconut chai ones fall into the latter category.

Like so many flavors (including the aforementioned coconut + fennel, I took flavor inspo from the GBBO.  I’ve added shredded coconut which melts into the oatmeal base to be invisible (in all but flavor) and a collection of spices that come straight out of your chai tea latte.  I realllly wanted to add nuts but you know, not everyone loves nuts so I restrained myself but gosh, I do think pecans (salted, from Trader Joe’s) would be the bees knees in these.

Ha, I do love a rhyme. Gets me every time!

You may recall when I made Mom’s recipe for chai that there was actually no cinnamon in her mix. I know, shocker, but I felt like I just couldn’t go without it in these and so I added just a touch- but not so much as to obscure the ginger, cloves and cardamom. On the contrary, that trio is coming in strong.

I like my cookies super spiced- there is no mistake about what these are meant to be -but if you wanted to keep it a little more subtle, feel free to reduce the spice amounts my 1/3.

(Smacks head). Anyway, the result is a chewy, deliciously fragrant cookie that would be perfect for your next barbecue or cup of tea.  In other words: good for any type of party- even a party of one.

Either way, you’ll go coco-nuts about them!