Back in the day, my friend used to host a cookie exchange party every year. Everyone would bring about 40-50 cookies and the recipe printed out on an index card. Each person would get to take 2 of each type of cookie as well as the recipe for each cookie. It was an awesome party and it's something I miss doing each year. I am ecstatic to tell you all, however, that through December 24th, I will be hosting a virtual, vegan version of this cookie swap party, with tons of guest posts from some of my favorite bloggers. Keep checking back to see who brings what type of cookie!
Its that time of the year again! Cookies, carols, lights and cheer everywhere and hubbs off from work keeping me super busy:). And Kristy taking the world by storm with this amazing cookie party! Thank you for having me over Kristy:)
Christmas used to be a smaller affair in India while growing up. The main celebrations were Diwali and other festivals during October/November. We had friends and neighbors who celebrated Christmas and always shared their goodies. After a load of sugar indian sweets, December used to be about cookies, fruit cakes, short breads, Jam thumbprints and Macaroons. I didnt know of any other fancy holiday cookies till I started baking my own and looking around at the fun sugar high:) Can you imagine not knowing about gingerbread folk for about 20 years!
Scooped and ready to bake.
Coconut macaroons scream festive already. These macaroons have some dried cranberries and pistachios, my favorite combination, to take them to a whole new level. Easy, delicious and perfect right out of the oven.
More Cookies from my blog.
Baked..
Happy holidays to all!
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons agave syrup
- 2 Tablespoons orange marmalade (or orange zest and 2 Tablespoons agave/maple)
- 2 Tablespoons ground raw sugar (or sweetener of choice)
- 2 Tablespoons coconut milk
- 1/8 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/8 teaspoon ginger powder(optional)
- 1 cup dried coconut flakes
- 1/4 cup brown rice flour
- 3/4 teaspoon baking powder(optional)
- 1/4 cup each or more of cranberries and chopped pistachios
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix all the wet ingredients.
- Add in the dry and mix well.
- Chill dough for 15 minutes.
- Using a scoop or Tablespoon measure, scoop out the mixture and place on parchment.
- Dip the scoop in water before every scoop for less mess.
- Bake for 14-16 minutes depending on the size of the scoop until slightly golden.
- They burn very easily, so keep an eye after 14 minutes.
- Cool for 5 minutes, devour.
Notes
allergy information: gluten, soy, corn, yeast, dairy, egg free
Thanks for stopping by and be sure to come back tomorrow to see who our next special guest is and what they bring to the party! Thank you so much, Richa, for sharing another one of your amazing creations!
Be sure to check out the rest of the cookies at the party:
Caitlin
how perfect do these look?! i love the combination of cranberries and pistachios, too. the amount of coconutiness in these cookies make my heart sing!!!!!!! how i love coconut.
i'm with you, kristy. i'd love to live with richa and have her make me indian food all day long. and, you know what? i don't care if i'm creepy. i make my love for richa no secret!
Richa`
you are too sweet Caitlin.:) I like stalkers;) i'd probably be super sad and depressed if i dint have a few generous virtual friends like you xoxo:)
keepinitkind
These do look so perfect, but what else would you expect from Richa? 🙂
We should be Richa groupies. Or maybe instead of a restaurant, she should open up a restaurant with a full room-service menu... I would live there.
Richa`
you wouldnt know, but i am so insecure about cooking for a larger group. i have bad dreams about people not liking the food and not eating it. 🙂 i think it just stems from being surrounded by all non vegan peeps except hubbs who loves everything i make. i will be super happy with you all groupies around 😀
Heather
These look so perfect! Richa is SO TALENTED - I'm with you and Caitlin, all her amazing vegan Indian food and sweet treats makes me wish I could pop on over any day of the week in person for amazing food and of course to play with Chewie too!
Richa`
Oh yes, he is one adorable fluffster who takes away all the attention, even from good food 😉
keepinitkind
If only we all lived closer... Sigh. 🙂
Annie
Beautiful! Festive! But more important: delicious, I am sure.
Richa`
Thanks Annie! they sure are!
keepinitkind
How could they be anything but? 🙂
Angel
What oven temperature?
Richa`
preheated 350 degrees F on center rack. Sorry forgot to mention that:)
Somer
Such pretty cookies! I adore macaroons, and I second the motion with camping out in Richa's kitchen. Maybe she needs to start looking into a commune instead of a townhouse 😉 xx
Richa`
Ha! I know. i should buy that 8 bedroom house on the eastside on the lake, in the hope that you all will visit at the same time someday 😉 though both me and hubbs like downtown living so much more. every time i take him a few blocks into a residential area(not far from downtown), he wants to head back out:)
keepinitkind
I totally understand- Chris and I both like living near civilization. Or at least a Whole Foods. 😉
keepinitkind
That's a brilliant idea, Somer. Richa, I hope you're taking all of this down- It's golden! 😉
Richa`
Thank you for having me over Kristy!! and for those wonderful words:) I could open a vegan restaurant with an ever changing menu if i had a bunch of cooks cooking up the stuff :))
This cookie party is amazing.. i have added so many cookies to my to make list!
keepinitkind
It wouldn't have been a cookie party without you, Richa. 🙂
Courtney Jones
Mmmmmm! I love coconut and these cookies look amazing. Adding cranberries and pistachios definitely makes the awesome for the holidays 🙂 Great post Richa! xo
keepinitkind
I second that- such a fantastic post, Richa! 🙂
Dixya @ Food, Pleasure and Health
I came to your blog through Richa's and I am drooling at these macaroons. Everything about these little treats are to die for.
BTW your blog is very inspirational and will be visiting you often for more posts 🙂
keepinitkind
Awe! Thank you, Dixya! You are so sweet- I look forward to spending some time on your blog as well! 🙂
Cadry
I would be so happy if Richa opened a pizzeria! My first order would be for her jalapeño popper pizza!
These macaroons look so pretty and delicate! I especially like the addition of orange marmalade for an echo of sweetness.
keepinitkind
I think we should start a petition to get Richa to open up a pizzeria. 🙂 And I couldn't agree more about these little cookies- they're so pretty!
Anna {Herbivore Triathlete}
I love these cookies, cranberry, pistachio and coconut?!?! Yum, yum.
I too am a huge Richa fan. I have made several recipes from her blog and have loved them. The best thing is that my kids and husband have all loved them too!
I would also like to support Richa opening a bakery, Indian food restaurant or pizzeria. I will happily be a cook in any of those kitchens. Or, we can just go with Somer's idea and all move in with Richa!