2nd Place Winner: White Chocolate Walnut Coconut Cookies by Mrs. Teresa Myers

Myers’ white chocolate chip walnut coconut cookies were “made with love” and received second place in the contest.

The cookies were very unique and a grand thing to taste getting a 105/125 score on our scoring rubric.

Myers was concerned if the judges drank milk with the cookies because she said: “milk always makes cookies better.”

Myers made the cookie because they are one of her family’s favorites.

White Chocolate Walnut Coconut Cookies

Ingredients

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

3/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup granulated sugar

3.4 ounces vanilla instant pudding mix

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

½ bag of white chocolate chips

½ bag of sweetened coconut

1 cup chopped walnuts

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda and salt and set aside.

Using a stand or electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar on high speed until light and creamy, at least 3 minutes. Do not skip this step. Once combined, add the pudding mix, vanilla and eggs and beat on high for 2-3 minutes.

Slowly add half of the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and turn the mixer on low to start so the flour doesn’t get everywhere. Turn the mixer up to high and mix until combined. Add the rest of the dry ingredients and repeat until dough is just combined. Add white chocolate chips, coconut, and walnuts and stir till just combined.

Drop cookies by spoonful onto the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until slightly golden and just set on the top. Cool on the baking sheet for two minutes then transfer to a baking rack to cool completely.