Island Inspired Oatmeal Cookies

As the weather becomes warmer and the sun shines brighter, my want to sit on the beach all day rather than at a computer screen significantly increases. Being a jersey girl, the jersey shore is an easy option, but with that comes embracing the typical "meat-heads," girls with big hair and poofs (not that I don't have big curly and frizzy hair as well), and pre-tanned orange people spread out amongst their towels soaking up the sun and blasting the radio's top hits. But, some of the most stunning beaches I have been to were on my family vacations to the various islands of Hawaii. Sitting on the beach in Waikiki, the clear blue water seems to go on forever, a quiet stillness engulfs you, and the hot sand and sun warm your body to the perfect temperature. In my attempt to pretend I am back on the island, I concocted a cookie that captures some of Hawaii's signature island flavors- macadamia nuts and coconut.

Servings: about 36 cookies

Ingredients:
1 1/2 sticks of softened butter
3/4 cup of brown sugar
1/2 cup of granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon of vanilla
1 1/2 cups of flour
1 teaspoon of baking soda
A pinch of salt
3 cups of oats (quick or old fashioned)
1 bag of sweetened coconut flakes (toasted)
1 cup of chopped macadamia nuts
2 cups of semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

In the oven or toaster oven, place the coconut on a baking sheet and place in the oven at 325 degrees for about 10 minutes until the coconut flakes become lightly browned.

In a mixing bowl, cream the sugars and butter together. Then add the eggs and vanilla in.

In a smaller bowl combine the flour, baking soda, and salt . Then slowly add the dry ingredients in batches to the mixer.

Then add in the oats and mix well. Lastly, add in the macadamia nuts, toasted coconut flakes, and chocolate chips.

On a parchment lined baking sheet, add a heaping sized amount of cookie dough smoothed out by rolling into a ball.

Bake the cookies for 15-20 minutes or until they are lightly browned. Allow them to cool, and then transfer the cookies to a wire rack and allow them to cool completely.

Embrace the island flavors!