We live at the beach in Oxnard, California.  It’s gorgeous, surrounded by hills, with a view of the Channel Islands.  Once peopled by the Chumash Indians, the fertile plains attracted the Oxnard family of sugar beet farmers in the late 1800’s.  And the city is named after Henry T. Oxnard, one of the founding brothers.  In modern times, Oxnard provides a great weekend getaway for Southern and Central California residents.  We love it here and we love that it’s a well-kept secret.  Periodically, people rally to change the name to “Channel Islands.”  And, since we live within walking distance of the Mandalay Beach Embassy Suites Hotel, the same group of people rally to change the name of our beach from “Oxnard Shores” to “Mandalay Beach.”  It sounds lovely, but doesn’t change anything, really, does it?
So I was going to call these “White Chocolate, Coconut, and Macadamia Nut Cookies,” but doesn’t “Mandalay Beach Cookies” sound elegant and tropical? Â No matter what you call them, these tasty treats scented with Coconut Rum, are just delicious! Â I like my cookies soft, but if you like yours crisper, just bake them a little longer.
- 2 sticks (1/2 pound) butter
- 2 cups dark brown sugar, packed
- 2 eggs
- 2 Tablespoons Coconut Rum
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 cups flour
- 1½ teaspoons baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 12-ounce bag white chocolate chips
- 1 cup roasted Macadamia nuts, coarsely chopped
- 1½ cups sweetened flaked coconut
- Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, blend butter and sugar for 4 minutes on medium speed until light and fluffy.
- Scrape down bowl with a rubber spatula and add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition.
- Scrape down bowl, again, add rum and vanilla, and beat until combined.
- Add flour, baking soda, and salt, and beat until fully incorporated.
- Scrape down bowl, and add white chocolate chips, Macadamia Nuts, and coconut.
- Beat until thoroughly combined.
- Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll 2 tablespoons cookie dough into a ball and press to flatten.
- Fill cookie sheets and bake for 20 minutes.
Enjoy!
Mandalay Beach Cookies sounds very elegant, Susan! But no matter….they just look and sound sensational! I love the tropical flavors in this cookie. If I made them, they wouldn’t have nuts….because those Macadamias would be going straight into my mouth! I’m going to have to make these and bring them into work. Everyone will love them! : )
Love the name for the cookies! Does your house have a name? Thanks for sharing the recipe!
They do sound elegant, and the name doesn’t change a thing Susan! They’re just simply great cookies!
Susan, are these cookies as good as the chocolate chip cookies you brought to my house last winter. Those were amazing. I do like coconut, however. I have never heard of Coconut Rum. Another interesting product for me to try suggested by the Lester duo. A delicious post and a spectacular picture of life in your neck of the woods. FYI, it is snowing here now! %#$&@
I love that you added coconut rum to these cookies, they look scrumptious!