Two GREAT Cookies, If You Like Coconut and Banana!

So I made two easy, yummy cookies today and couldn't wait to post them for your viewing pleasure--oh, that and so you'll have the recipe.   And the winner that gets to be first on this post is......drum roll.....okay, just kidding.  It's the Coconut Almond Chocolate Chip Cookie! 

Coconut Almond Chocolate Chip Cookies, adapted from Recipe4Living

1 pkg. (18.4 oz. box) white cake mix (I had a French Vanilla White Cake mix-yum!)

2 large eggs

1/3 cup canola oil

1 cup flaked coconut

1/2 cup semi-sweet mini chocolate chips (you can use regular ones, too)

1/3 cup almonds, toasted and chopped

In the bowl of an electric mixer, add the eggs and oil to the dry cake mix.  Beat together until combined.  Batter will be a little stiff.  Stir in coconut, chips and nuts.  Scoop dough onto parchment lined baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.  Cool for 2 minutes on baking sheets, then remove to a wire rack to cool completely. Makes 3 dozen.

Goodness gracious, if you like coconut with just the right amount of chocolate and a slight crunch from the nuts, these cookies are perfect!  Really!  And did I mention how easy they were to make.  Sometimes you just gotta love a cake mix!   The don't taste "cakey" at all!   And thanks for the awesome poinsettia plate, Tes!  Love it!

NEXT, please.

Banana Walnut Chocolate Chip Cookies, adapted from Martha Stewart Living

1/2 cup bread flour

1/2 cup cake flour (you can just use 1 cup all purpose flour, too!)

1/2 cup white whole wheat flour

1 teaspoon salt (I only used about 1/4 teaspoon because I was using salted butter)

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

3/4 cup (1  1/2 sticks) butter, softened (I used Smart Balance 50/50 butter sticks for baking)

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup packed light brown sugar

1 large egg (I used 1/4 cup Egg Beaters with touch of yolk)

1  1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1/2 cup mashed ripe banana (about 1 large)

1 cup old-fashioned oats

8 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips (about 1  1/4 cups)

1/2 cup coarsely chopped walnuts, toasted

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Whisk together the flours, salt and baking soda in a medium sized bowl.  Set aside.  In bowl of electric mixer, cream together the butter and sugars until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.  Scrape sides of bowl.  Beat in egg and vanilla and mix well.  Mix in mashed banana.  Add dry ingredients and mix just until combined.  Stir in oats, chocolate chips and nuts with spatula.

Drop onto parchment lined baking sheets and bake for 9-11 minutes.  Cool on baking sheets for five minutes then remove to wire racks to cool completely.  Makes 3 dozen.

Great amount of banana flavor to a slightly oaty chocolate chip cookie.  These are a bit crisp on the outside and fluffy on the inside, not too moist or cakey.  They're great and maybe a little healthy???  ; )

Have you made any good cookies lately?