Not Your Mama’s Walnut Cookies (but, maybe your Amma’s)

Y’all my apartment smells like the Indian version of Bath & Body Works (can that be a thing?)

Like any day, today I was craving cookies. Typically to appease my last-minute cookie cravings, I’ll rummage through my fridge and pantry to see what baking options I have or can come up with. The winner tonight was a bag of walnuts I originally bought as a healthy salad topping, but tonight they will serve a better purpose (insert Mr. Burns “eeeexcellent”).

Of course, I can’t just make WALNUT COOKIES…where’s the fun in that? Check out my take on walnut cookies which includes wonderful flavors of cardamom, rose water, and coconut.

THE INGREDIENTS

• 1 tbsp Bru ground chicory coffee mix
• ½ cup dry coconut flakes
• ¾ cup walnuts, chopped
• 2 tbsp virgin coconut oil
• 10 tbsp butter
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ tsp rose water
• 2 tbsp honey
• seeds from 4 cardamom pods, ground
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 cups flour

HOW TO MAKE IT

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F

2. In a small bowl, pour in 1 cup of water and add the Bru and dry coconut flakes. Set this aside to let it soak.

3. In a frying pan, add the walnuts along with 1 tbsp of sugar and a pinch of ground cardamom. Once you see the walnuts coated in a light glaze, turn off the heat and set aside.

4. In a medium bowl, mix the virgin coconut oil, butter, and sugar until smooth. Once it’s smooth, mix in the egg, vanilla extract, rose water, and honey.

5. Next, strain the Bru/coconut flakes and stir it in to the dough mix along with the cardamom, baking powder, salt, flour, and walnuts.

6. Roll 1-in diameter cookie dough balls, lightly flatten, and then place on parchment-paper-lined baking sheets about an inch and a half apart. Bake for about 15 minutes or until you see the tops of the cookies break open a little. Your kitchen should smell amazing!

Makes: 1 dozen