Foodie Blogroll

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Toasted Coconut Ginger Blondies

Ever since I won a large jar of organic virgin coconut oil, I have been using it often, for my skin, hair and cooking. There are a lot of health benefits with using coconut oil. You should really check it out. Then I won some coconut cream concentrate, and have been enjoying it on my toast in the morning with some almond butter. Now I am really getting into coconut lately, and just bought 2lb bucket of coconut flakes.


I was checking out Tropical Traditions free coconut recipes so I can find many new ways to use the ingredients. I found these Toasted Coconut Ginger Blondies that use coconut oil and the coconut flakes, then adding my other favorite crystallized ginger. I like the way they have the recipes organized because you can search them by what they use, next I am checking out some of these recipes using the coconut cream concentrate. I mean they have everything from Coconut Chai Smoothie, Coconutty Creamy Grits, to Spicy Coconut Fish Recipe, with many more in between.

Now you know that I'm not much of a baker, so I was cautious trying to follow the recipe so I wouldn't have failure on my hands. I was making these to bring along when we went to visit my in-laws. Of course I still had to make a few changes...I didn't add as much crystallized ginger even though I'm a ginger fan, not everyone is, so I toned it down just a little, then I thought a tablespoon of vanilla was a lot, I used less then added some coconut extract, and ground ginger, and as always less sugar, then added a few chocolate chips. That's it!

Ingredients:
1 cup sifted flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/3 cup chopped crystallized ginger (called for 1/2 cup)
1/4 cup chocolate chips
1/3 cup butter, or coconut oil, (I used coconut oil and a little coconut cream concentrate)
1/2 cup packed brown sugar ( it called for 3/4 cup)
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp coconut extract
1/2-1 cup flaked unsweetened coconut

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C). Lightly grease an 8x8 baking pan with extra fat of choice.
Sift the sifted flour, salt, baking powder and baking soda together into a small bowl. Stir in the crystallized ginger.
Melt fat of choice gently . Whisk in brown sugar, mixing well. Let cool slightly if warm.
Whisk egg, vanilla and coconut extract into the sugar mixture. Mix in flour mixture in stages until well combined.
Stir in the chocolate chips.
Spread batter into prepared pan and sprinkle flaked coconut on top. Bake for 20-25 minutes.


I've never made blondies before so I wasn't sure how they were supposed to look going into the pan. I really had to spread the batter in there! It was more like a cookie dough.


It came out okay, but I was wondering about 1/8 tsp baking soda? Why bother? I don't know if I measured that little of an amount correctly. What would have happened if I added 1/4 tsp?



They were so good and I think it still had enough ginger with the smaller amount, yet still had a nice ginger bite to it. My daughter even liked it.



My pan was a little larger than 8"X8" by a half inch 8.5 x 8.5 and the were a little flat, but no big deal. I think maybe next time I will use a smaller pan though. They sure smelled good when they were baking in the oven.


The chocolate chips were a nice touch! The bars were such a big hit they didn't last long. I didn't get to save one for breakfast!

28 comments:

  1. Very delicious looking blondies and I love coconut too!

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  2. Wow...you are so lucky to have so many coconut products. Yes, coconut is very good for health. I had just made some custard jam using coconut yesterday to use as filling for steamed buns. It was very delicious. Love your blondies. Would be great with a cup of hot tea. Thanks very much for sharing.

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  3. That flavor combination sounds fantastic. Way to take a blondie to the next level.

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  4. Wow, those look so good. Diane

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  5. This looks amazing! I love the coconut flakes on the top, makes the dish I think! It's great they went so quickly though I would've loved a piece for breakfast!

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  6. I've had a jar of coconut oil sitting here for FOREVER and yet I still haven't used it yet. Mega fail.

    These coconut blondies sound absolutely wonderful! I need to find a gathering to make them for ASAP!

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  7. The coconut definitely got my attention! This is a must try!

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  8. Wow! Those look so good! I love coconut treats and have to give these a try.

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  9. These look so tasty, and so addictive. Oh, and I love coconut cream and I'm curious about the concentrate--I wonder if they sell it at my Asian grocery store. I'll have to check next time I go.

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  10. Ohhow nice, I just love coconut - these look lovely - great baking.

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  11. What a great way to bake with coconut, one of my most favorite foods. I like that you give the option of using coconut oil instead of butter. This would go down very nicely with afternoon tea.

    Kathleen

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  12. A little while ago I decided to add coconut oil to my grocery list...and yet, still haven't used it...hmmm...in comes your yummy treat Lyndsey ;o) I'll have to bookmark this one and finally twist off the cap from that jar!

    Ciao for now,
    Claudia

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  13. Chow and Chatter, Jeannie, these do bring out the yummy-ness of coconut!

    MaryMoh, yes I am lucky to have these great coconut products...I love it too, and so good for you. I have to make some of your coconut recipes next.

    Lisa, thanks, first time blondies interested me enough to make them.

    Diane, thanks! They're yummy!

    Sharon, they would be so good for breakfast...I need to make more just for that!

    Joanne, open that jar...you won't regret it!

    Pam, & laxsupermom...they are good, you'll like them!

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  14. jennaseverythingblog - the coconut cream concentrate is so good, I like it in my coffee too. It's not very sweet at all, sometimes I'll add a couple of drops of agave.

    Jen (Tastes of Home) & Jennifurla thanks, I'll make a bigger batch next time.

    Kathleen, thanks, it would be great with afternoon tea. I bookmarked your coconut recipes, they are on my "to make" list!

    Claudia - yes, open the jar, you won't be sorry. Sometimes I add some coconut oil on top of my brown rice and grains with a little sea salt. It is healthy and good for you, your skin too.
    P.S. This is funny...I just posted on your blog the same time you posted your comment here! :D

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  15. Oh Lyndsey- you've made my day with this recipe! I love, love, love anything with coconut. Very delicious.
    I wish I could grab one of those blondies from the screen!
    Cheers, Catherine~

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  16. I bet they did smell amazing baking. What a great combination of flavors!

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  17. Lyndz, I am loving this coconut slices. I bet it smell terrific. So, how many slices Wade taken? haha.... Bookmarked this for later use. Thank you! Hope everything is going well on your side. Have a great day, dear.
    Blessings, Kristy

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  18. I have never used coconut oil but your post is intriguing me; I think I will go check out the many benefits of this product, especially if it includes skin care! :)

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  19. Catherine, I wish I could pop one over to you with a twitch of my nose. :D

    Barbara, I think the flavors worked well together.

    Kristy, You'd like these I'm sure. Wade is good about not eating any desserts until he knows it's for the family...but around here I usually have to tell them please take the last one otherwise it sits. Everything is fin on this side!

    tasteofbeirut - I think you'll be surprised on all the information and its benefits.

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  20. These look insanely good! I love everything in them. I just started using coconut oil too - it has such amazing flavor - I love it.

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  21. They looks extremely delicious. But then again, I'm a coconut lover. I even have some coconut flour int he fridge which I haven't used as often as I should. Just to let you know too that I've added photos of the egg sniper and some of the other goodies I got in Berlin. Stay well and have a blessed weekend.

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  22. You had me drooling just looking at all of that beautiful coconut on top of those blondies. I have really enjoyed some of Tropical Traditions' products, too. They make some really great things.

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  23. Reeni - Yes, I love the flavor of coconut oil. It is very heat stable so it makes an excellent cooking oil.

    Ozoz, thanks, I've been wanting to try coconut flour...it's on my list. Now I know what an egg sniper is, and you added more Berlin Bear photos too.

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  24. Kristen, I did put a lot of coconut on top, but I figured hey why not? Tropical Traditions are so easy to work with too, I plan on ordering from them often...plus they always have a lot of nice specials going on. You can't beat a good deal!

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  25. oh what a unique idea -these look delicious!

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  26. These look and sound so good! They must have smelled wonderful while baking in the oven.

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