Irresistible Giant Coconut Tahini Cookies: A Wholesome & Delicious Recipe
These sweet, yet exceptionally nutritious coconut tahini cookies, packed with wholesome, good-for-you ingredients, are destined to become your ultimate favorite afternoon snack or a delightful dessert for any time of day.
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There’s something truly magical about a freshly baked cookie, and these Giant Coconut Tahini Cookies elevate that experience to a whole new level. Just thinking about their rich, nutty, and subtly sweet flavor makes my mouth water! I confess, I’ve lost count of how many batches of these delectable treats I’ve whipped up since discovering this recipe. Unfortunately, my current stash is depleted, and I can almost feel the void. This particular recipe wasn’t just another baking adventure; it was the culinary revelation that completely transformed my perspective on incorporating tahini into desserts. Who knew the humble, savory sesame paste could contribute such an addictive chewiness, a profound nutty depth, and an unexpected boost of nutrition to something as delightful as a cookie?
Indeed, I just used the words “cookies” and “nutritious” in the same sentence – and I stand by it! Far from being empty calories, these cookies are a powerhouse of beneficial ingredients. Imagine sinking your teeth into a cookie made with whole wheat flour, hearty oats, fragrant coconut, mineral-rich tahini, crunchy nuts, and antioxidant-packed dark chocolate. When you list them out like that, it’s clear we’re not just talking about ordinary cookies. Perhaps we should simply call them “superfood cookies”? Or, if you prefer a more straightforward description, “the best afternoon snack ever” certainly fits the bill. They strike that perfect balance between indulgence and wellness, satisfying your sweet tooth while offering genuine sustenance and a burst of flavor.
The Unexpected Delight: Why Tahini Shines in Sweet Treats
Tahini, a paste made from ground sesame seeds, is a staple in savory Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine. However, its versatility extends far beyond hummus and salad dressings. When introduced to sweet applications, tahini brings a unique depth of flavor that can best be described as earthy, nutty, and slightly bitter, creating a sophisticated counterpoint to sweetness. In these coconut tahini cookies, it acts as a phenomenal binder, lending a wonderfully chewy texture and contributing healthy fats that keep the cookies moist and tender. Beyond its flavor and texture contributions, tahini is a nutritional powerhouse. It’s an excellent source of healthy monounsaturated fats, essential minerals like calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus, and a good amount of protein. Incorporating tahini means you’re not just adding flavor; you’re boosting the nutritional profile of your homemade treats, making them a more wholesome choice that you can feel good about enjoying.
Crafting Perfection: A Symphony of Wholesome Ingredients
These cookies aren’t just delicious; they’re thoughtfully designed with ingredients that contribute to both taste and well-being. Each component plays a vital role in creating a cookie that is satisfying in every bite:
- Whole Wheat Bread Flour: Opting for whole wheat flour over all-purpose flour adds a substantial amount of fiber, essential vitamins, and minerals. It also contributes a slightly denser, chewier texture and a rustic, wholesome flavor that complements the other rich ingredients beautifully.
- Oats: Rolled oats are another fantastic addition, boosting fiber content, particularly soluble fiber, which is known for its heart-healthy benefits. They lend a delightful chewiness and a comforting, wholesome feel to the cookies, making them even more satisfying.
- Coconut Oil: Used in its melted form, extra virgin coconut oil provides a subtle tropical aroma and healthy medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs). It acts as a delicious, dairy-free fat source that helps bind the cookies and contributes to their tender crumb and unique flavor profile.
- Cane Sugar & Brown Sugar: The combination of cane sugar and brown sugar is crucial for both sweetness and texture. Cane sugar provides crispness, while brown sugar adds moisture, depth of flavor (with its molasses content), and a lovely chewiness, resulting in a perfectly balanced cookie.
- Dark Chocolate Chips: Not just for indulgence, dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants. Its slight bitterness perfectly balances the sweetness of the sugars and the nuttiness of the tahini, creating a complex flavor profile that keeps you coming back for more, guilt-free.
- Macadamia Nuts: While the recipe calls for macadamia nuts, which offer a creamy texture and buttery flavor, the choice of nuts is entirely flexible. Walnuts, pecans, almonds, or even peanuts would be fantastic alternatives, each adding its own unique crunch and flavor dimension. Don’t hesitate to switch up the types of nuts you use—walnuts, peanuts, and almonds would all work wonderfully, allowing you to customize these cookies to your preference and what you have in your pantry.
- Unsweetened Flaked or Shredded Coconut: This ingredient is key to the “coconut” in Coconut Tahini Cookies. It adds a wonderful texture, a natural sweetness, and an irresistible tropical aroma that pairs beautifully with the sesame, creating an exotic yet comforting flavor.
Pin Recipe
Giant Coconut Tahini Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup 250 ml whole wheat bread flour
- ½ cup 125 ml regular oats
- ½ tsp 2 ml baking soda
- ½ tsp 2 ml baking powder
- ½ tsp 2 ml kosher salt
- ½ cup 125 ml melted extra virgin coconut oil, slightly cooled
- ½ cup 125 ml tahini
- ½ cup 125 ml cane sugar
- ½ cup 125 ml brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tbsp 15 ml pure vanilla extract
- ½ cup 125 ml dark chocolate chips
- ½ cup 125 ml macadamia nuts, coarsely chopped
- ½ cup 125 ml unsweetened flaked or shredded coconut, plus more for topping
- Flaky sea salt for sprinkling
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C), position a rack in the upper third, and one in the lower third of the oven. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
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In a small bowl, combine the flour, oats, baking soda, baking powder, and kosher salt.
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In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or in a large mixing bowl if you’re using a handheld mixer, combine the coconut oil and tahini. Add the sugar and mix until well combined. Crack in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition, when mixing at medium-high speed until the mixture is light. Mix in the vanilla extract. Add the flour mixture, mixing at low speed just until combined, then stir in the dark chocolate chips, macadamia nuts, and coconut.
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Using a large ice cream or cookie scoop, drop the cookie dough onto the lined baking sheets, leaving a few inches between them because the cookies will spread quite a lot. Using a fork, flatten each cookie a bit, then sprinkle with additional coconut and flaky sea salt, if desired.
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Place the first baking sheet on the top oven rack, and the second one on the lower rack. Bake for 10 minutes, then inverse the sheets, rotating them too. Bake for an additional 5 minutes, or until the edges barely start to turn golden and the center is still tender but set. Let cool on the pans for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool completely.
STORAGE
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Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
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Recipe Credit: Adapted from Molly Yeh.
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Baking Success: Tips for Perfect Giant Coconut Tahini Cookies
Achieving cookie perfection is simpler than you might think with a few key considerations. Follow these tips to ensure your Giant Coconut Tahini Cookies turn out beautifully every time:
- Measure Accurately: Baking is a science, so precise measurements are crucial. Especially for flour and sugars, use proper measuring cups and level them off. This ensures the correct dough consistency and final texture.
- Don’t Overmix: Once you add the flour mixture, mix only until just combined. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, leading to tough, rather than tender and chewy, cookies. A gentle touch here makes all the difference.
- Room Temperature Eggs: Eggs at room temperature emulsify better with fats and sugars, resulting in a smoother, more uniform dough. This contributes to an overall better texture in your baked goods.
- Proper Spacing: These are “giant” cookies and they will spread! Ensure ample space (a few inches) between each dough ball on the baking sheet to prevent them from merging into one giant cookie slab. Give them room to grow!
- Don’t Overbake: For that perfect chewy-tender texture, keep a close eye on your cookies. They should be just barely golden at the edges, with the center still looking slightly soft when you pull them out of the oven. They will continue to set and firm up as they cool on the baking sheet.
- Cooling Time: Resist the urge to move them too soon. Letting them cool on the baking sheet for at least 5 minutes allows them to firm up enough to be safely transferred to a cooling rack without breaking. This also helps them achieve their final perfect texture.
Unleash Your Creativity: Variations and Customizations
One of the joys of baking is being able to adapt recipes to suit your taste or what you have on hand. These Giant Coconut Tahini Cookies are wonderfully forgiving and open to customization, allowing you to make them uniquely yours:
- Nut Swaps: As mentioned, feel free to experiment with different nuts. Pecans offer a rich, buttery flavor; walnuts add an earthy crunch; and almonds contribute a milder, sweet nuttiness. For a nut-free option (if allergies allow), sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds could be interesting, adding their own distinct texture and flavor.
- Chocolate Choices: If dark chocolate isn’t your preference, try milk chocolate chips for a sweeter cookie, or white chocolate chips for a creamier contrast. You could also chop up your favorite chocolate bar for irregular, melty pockets of chocolate goodness throughout the cookies.
- Spice It Up: A pinch of warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or even a touch of cardamom could add another layer of warmth and complexity to these cookies, especially complementing the tahini and coconut flavors.
- Dried Fruit: For an extra chew and natural sweetness, consider adding a handful of dried cranberries, chopped apricots, or golden raisins to the dough. They’ll add delightful bursts of flavor and texture.
- Citrus Zest: A tablespoon of finely grated orange or lemon zest could brighten the overall flavors of these cookies, creating a wonderful contrast that really makes the tahini and coconut sing.
Serving Suggestions and Storage Tips
These Giant Coconut Tahini Cookies are undeniably best enjoyed warm, straight from the oven, with the dark chocolate chips still gooey and the edges perfectly crisp. The aroma alone is heavenly! However, they are equally delightful at room temperature, making them a versatile treat. Pair them with a tall glass of cold milk, a warm cup of coffee or tea for a comforting break, or even a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for a truly decadent dessert experience that will impress any guest.
Storage for Freshness:
For optimal freshness, once the cookies have completely cooled, transfer them to an airtight container. They will maintain their deliciousness, characteristic chewiness, and wonderful aroma at room temperature for up to 4 days. This makes them perfect for meal prep or a week’s worth of delightful snacks.
Freezing Options:
If you’re looking to extend their shelf life, the baked cookies can be frozen for up to 3 months. Simply arrange them in a single layer in a freezer-safe container or bag, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. When you’re ready for a fresh batch, thaw them at room temperature or gently warm them in the oven for a “freshly baked” experience that’s almost as good as day one.
For those who like to plan ahead and enjoy warm cookies on demand, you can also freeze the raw cookie dough. Scoop the dough balls onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then transfer the frozen dough balls to a freezer-safe bag or container. When you’re ready for a fresh batch, simply place the frozen dough balls on a prepared baking sheet and bake from frozen, adding a couple of minutes to the usual baking time. This method is fantastic for spontaneous cookie cravings!
Whether you’re an avid baker or just looking for a simple yet impressive recipe, these Giant Coconut Tahini Cookies are a must-try. Their unique blend of flavors, satisfying texture, and wholesome ingredients make them a standout treat that you’ll want to bake again and again. Get ready to fall in love with tahini in a whole new, sweet way!
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