Home ยป Winter Extremes & Lemon Coconut Snowball Cookies

Winter Extremes & Lemon Coconut Snowball Cookies

TGIF!! 😀

Smart cookies! By legal definition, chocolate must contain 35% cocoa solids to be considered chocolate!

I am in this all-or-nothing phase with exercise lately, and it’s not good. After my killer workout on Tuesday, I took Wednesday off…for no good reason. And last night I worked out — 2 mile run + 25 minutes on the elliptical. And to break the cycle, I commit to workout today after work. PROMISE. There, done…no weaseling your way out now, self!

And as Lily and I were walking last night, I realized she is all-or-nothing, too. She is a chick of extremes.

Kissies: Here’s 576 slobbery ones! Or, I’m soooo not in the mood…buzz off, mom.
Weather: 100° and sunny –> sunbathing…9° –> long walk, please!
Vet bills: Always 3 digits, often times 4.
Alertness: Snoring like a grizzly bear, or awake and tearing through the house like a tornado.
Appetite: Down in 1, or on a hunger strike.

Crazy gal. Unfortunately for me, she’s all about the long walks with this frigid winter wonderland. She expects it. I walk in after work, and she meets me at the back door shaking her whole body in excitement. Off we went. Wool coat, scarf, mittens, and boots weren’t enough to keep my feet dry, thighs from getting the early stages of frost bite, and nose from running (thank you, neighbors who shovel!). She loved it, my little snow bunny. I, on the other hand, wanted to cry and crawl into bed with a hot mug of tea the second we walked in the door. Putting on shorts and hopping on the treadmill was literally the last thing I wanted to do...but I did.

After that ordeal, Mr. Prevention walked in the door and informed me he was ordering pizza for dinner. He then asked if I was planning to make something. Thoughtful, huh? The man and his pizza. I was planning Savory Leek Bread Pudding and leftover Spicy Black Bean Soup, but making dinner for 1 is just not worth it. Leftover Spicy Black Bean Soup it was. Mmmm 🙂

So, no savory delicious bread pudding recipe to share, but I’m not done with Christmas cookie recipes yet! 😉

Lemon Coconut Snowball Cookies seen on My Kitchen Adventures, adapted from Two Peas and Their Pod

For Butter Cookie Dough:
2 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
Zest of one lemon
3/4 cup of granulated sugar, which has been pulsed in the food processor for about 20 seconds
1/4 tsp. salt
16 Tbsp. unsalted butter ( 2 sticks ), cut into 16 1/2 inch pieces at cool room temperature
2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 Tbsp. (1 oz) light cream cheese, at room temperature

For Frosting:
1 Tbsp. (1/2 oz) light cream cheese, at room temperature
approx. 1 Tbsp. fresh squeezed lemon juice
1 1/2 cups confectioners sugar
1 1/2 cups sweetened shredded coconut, pulsed in food processor until finely chopped

Directions:

For the cookies:   Preheat oven to 375° F.  In bowl of stand mixer fitted with paddle beater, mix flour, zest, sugar, and salt on low speed until combined.  With mixer running on low, drop in the butter one piece at a time slowly; and continue to mix until the mixtures looks slightly wet and crumbly. Add vanilla and cream cheese and mix on low until dough just comes together. Bake until lightly browned, about 12 minutes.  Remove to wire rack and allow to cool to room temperature.

For the frosting:  In the same bowl you mixed the cookies in, with the paddle attachment mix the cream cheese and the lemon juice on low until incorporated.  Add in the confectioners sugar and mix on low until a nice thick glaze like frosting appears.

Dip tops of cookies into frosting, or use a knife to spread the top, then dip the cookies into the coconut.  Allow the cookies to sit and allow the frosting to set.  About 20 minutes. Yield: 3 1/2 dozen cookies.

Nutrition Information (per cookie): 107 calories; 5.3 g. fat; 1 mg. cholesterol; 28 mg. sodium; 14.2 g. carbohydrate; 0.2 g. fiber; 8.7 g. sugar; 1 g. protein

Result: These were really good! I don’t know that they scream “Christmas Coookie!” to me, but they’re a great change of pace and a great option for those that don’t (GASP!) like chocolate. The lemon flavor is excellent and the dough is unreal…it’s like silk! Gorgeous dough! Be careful with the cook time, however. The cookies will not look done, but they will quickly burn on the bottom, so beware! You were warned 🙂 Enjoy!

Question: What was one thing on your holiday wish list?

I asked for a lot of kitchen stuff: a dutch oven, a donut pan, a cast iron skillet, pastry brushes, and silicon spatulas. I also asked for an elliptical (which I got! :-D) and books by Chelsea Handler. I was very specific with Santa this year, and that’s a first! 😉 Really, it’s a first!

TGIF,

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20 Comments

  1. Estela @ Weekly Bite
    December 17, 2010 / 6:11 am

    These look so cute! Can’t wait to try them ๐Ÿ™‚

  2. Tes
    December 17, 2010 / 6:27 am

    These snowball cookies look so adorable. It seems simple and delicious ๐Ÿ™‚ My holiday wish list is to be with my family in Thailand, new kitchen and my lost ring ๐Ÿ™‚

  3. The Candid RD
    December 17, 2010 / 6:44 am

    Wait, didn’t you already get an elliptical?? I thought you did!
    Your cookies all taste wonderful, by the way. I tried the bark cookies last night, which I remember you posting, and they were perfection. I’m thinking of making ice cream tonight with some of your cookies crumbled inside. Nick and I have already gone through the PB cookie from NOrthstar, and half of your cookies. Yikes, …it’s the holidays ๐Ÿ˜‰

    Nick had a “brilliant” idea last night to have people here for New Years. His friends are wild, but you and Mark and definitely invited, and ENCOURAGED to come! It’s not 100% yet, but it’s about 95%, so…..think about it! You can sleep here too.

  4. Joanne
    December 17, 2010 / 7:30 am

    I’ve been finding it to be more of a struggle to get up and get my butt to the gym so I totally understand! Maybe it’s just one of those weeks…

    Lemon coconut snowballs = delicious. Yay for being done with cookie baking! I haven’t even started. Oy.

  5. Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg
    December 17, 2010 / 8:07 am

    These look great! So pretty, and I bet the dough IS really great!

  6. Amy @ Second City Randomness
    December 17, 2010 / 8:12 am

    Goodluck with your workout tonight! (since it’s definitely happening!)
    I had a hard time coming up with a good wish list this year. I might have to say I hope I get a little cash money… ๐Ÿ™‚

  7. renee@mykitchenadventures
    December 17, 2010 / 8:23 am

    good for you getting the exercise in! even if it is feast or famine. I am currently in an ongoing famine mode I can’t seem to get out of.

    My dog literally shakes at the prospect of a walk as well. I haven’t taken her out in this miserable weather though…she doesn’t have much fur, and although I have a doggies snuggie for her ( its too cute) I still worry that it is just too cold for her..and heck, I guess its a good excuse for ME not to have to go out in this miserableness. Did you see the completely frozen lighthouse off the shores of Lake Erie? it’s soo cool…and pretty much says it all as far as I am concerned regarding this weather!!

    So glad you liked the cookies. I didn’t have a problem with bottoms burning, but my oven tends to run a little under the temp I set it at. In my old house though, I did have a problem with these kind of cookies burning. The dough is incredible, isn’t it? at first it doesn’t seem like it will come together, and then like magic, it does! lol My daughter is home from college, and likes these the best of all the cookies I have made this year, and she doesn’t even like coconut! ๐Ÿ™‚

  8. thehealthyjunky
    December 17, 2010 / 8:36 am

    Those cookies look so cute…just like a snowball. I was debating taking my dogs outside this whole week in this awful weather. Lets just say that Lily is one lucky doggie as mine never made it for a walk.

  9. shelby
    December 17, 2010 / 9:10 am

    Those look like my kind of cookies! I would make them if I had a food processor…which, coincidentally, is at the top of my wish list this year ๐Ÿ™‚

  10. Leah @ Why Deprive?
    December 17, 2010 / 10:07 am

    Lexie snores too! Its insane – I can’t figure out how something so little can make so much noise.

    Chelsea Handlers books are hilarious. You will LOVE them!

  11. Heather @ Get Healthy With Heather
    December 17, 2010 / 10:27 am

    Those cookies are so cute! They actually look like snow balls… Named great ๐Ÿ™‚

    I am so not a fan of this cold weather either but Joe loves his walks too. This morning it was freezing! But at least dry. Lily sounds so cute shaking her whole body with excitement. I can definitely picture that. Have a great Friday Nicole!

  12. Samantha Angela @ Bikini Birthday
    December 17, 2010 / 12:21 pm

    And I thought bulldogs were supposed to be super lazy!

    My dog loves long winter walks too. She hates the heat of the summer and poops out after 5 minutes. :/

  13. Weighting For 50
    December 17, 2010 / 12:23 pm

    Hats off to you for getting the exercise in during this busy time. And a big “awww” for Lily!!! TGIF indeed, have a good day!!!!

  14. Rebecca @ How the Cookies Crumble
    December 17, 2010 / 1:42 pm

    I’m the same way in the winter. All or nothing! I just signed up for a half marathon in March to get me motivated to run again, however, my chiropractor told me no running for the next week. I love when my DR tells me *not* to work out!! ๐Ÿ™‚ He did encourage lots of yoga though.

    My Christmas list was a new couch (to be delivered soon!), kitchen stuff, and Gossip Girl season 3! ๐Ÿ™‚

  15. thebalancebroad
    December 17, 2010 / 4:00 pm

    Oh my gosh….recommendation – I listened to “Are You There Vodka? It’s Me, Chelsea” on CD (from my library….because I’m cheap) and she reads it. HILARIOUS. It’s like stand-up, and I almost peed my pants 100 times while driving!

  16. Jhe'anell
    December 17, 2010 / 7:51 pm

    OH MY GOSH!!! THOSE LOOK DELICIOUS!!!

  17. TheHealthyApron
    December 17, 2010 / 8:06 pm

    I want a kitchen aid mixer!! And some of those yummy looking cookies!

  18. CaSaundra
    December 18, 2010 / 8:39 am

    You’re cookies are adorable–I love lemon cookies. They are so fresh and tasty!

  19. Pingback: Cookie Round-Up 2010! | Prevention RD
  20. Mo'Betta
    December 27, 2010 / 12:26 pm

    I asked for a donut pan too! My sis gave me a mini donut pan (it’s so cute!) and I had to try it out this morning ๐Ÿ™‚ big hit with the kiddos.

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