Are you ready to transport your taste buds to a tropical paradise? Then get ready to bake up a batch of these incredibly delicious homemade Mounds cookies! This easy recipe delivers all the rich, creamy coconut and dark chocolate goodness of the classic candy bar, but in a warm, gooey, and utterly irresistible cookie form. Perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth, these cookies are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, ideal for any occasion, from casual weeknight treats to elegant dessert gatherings. Let's get baking!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 4 cups sweetened shredded coconut
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- Optional: Sea salt flakes for sprinkling
Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This step is crucial for achieving a tender cookie texture.
Step 2: Add Wet Ingredients
Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract. Make sure everything is well combined before moving on to the dry ingredients.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are okay.
Step 4: Incorporate Coconut and Chocolate
Stir in the sweetened shredded coconut and chocolate chips until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Step 5: Bake the Cookies
Drop rounded tablespoons of cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown.
Step 6: Cool and Enjoy
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. For an extra touch of elegance, sprinkle a few sea salt flakes on top while the cookies are still warm.
Tips for the Best Mounds Cookies:
- Softened Butter is Key: Make sure your butter is truly softened, not melted. This ensures proper creaming and a tender crumb.
- Don't Overmix: Overmixing the dough will develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in tough cookies. Mix until just combined.
- Baking Time: Oven temperatures vary, so keep an eye on your cookies. They're done when the edges are golden brown and the centers are still slightly soft.
- Cooling is Crucial: Allow the cookies to cool completely before storing to prevent them from becoming soggy.
Variations:
- Toasted Coconut: For a deeper, richer coconut flavor, toast the shredded coconut in a dry skillet over medium heat for a few minutes before adding it to the dough.
- Milk Chocolate: Substitute milk chocolate chips for semisweet for a milder chocolate flavor.
- Nuts: Add chopped pecans or macadamia nuts to the dough for added crunch and flavor.
Nutritional Information (per cookie, approximate):
- Calories: 150-200
- Fat: 8-10g
- Saturated Fat: 5-7g
- Sugar: 15-20g
Enjoy your homemade Mounds cookies! These easy and delicious cookies are perfect for sharing with friends and family, or simply indulging in a little bit of sweet heaven all by yourself. They're a guaranteed hit, and a delightful way to elevate any baking occasion. Happy baking!