Cherry Topped Lemon Coconut Cookie Cups Recipes

CHERRY-LEMON RELISH

Steps:

• Combine the zest of 2 lemons (in wide strips), 1 cup water, 1/2 cup sugar and 1 cinnamon stick in a pot over medium heat; bring to a simmer and cook until the zest is slightly translucent, 6 to 8 minutes. Strain; reserve the lemon zest and syrup and discard the cinnamon stick. Put the lemon zest in a food processor; add 1 1/2 pounds frozen cherries (thawed and drained) and a pinch of salt. Pulse, adding 1/4 to 1/2 cup of the sugar syrup to loosen. Add 1 to 2 teaspoons lemon juice.

CHERRY-LEMON RELISH

Steps:

• Using a vegetable peeler or paring knife, gently peel off the rind of both lemons, being sure to not include any of the white pithy parts. Add the lemon peels, water, sugar, and the cinnamon stick to a small pot over medium heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until the lemon peels are tender and slightly translucent, about 6 to 8 minutes. Strain the lemon peels, discard the cinnamon stick and reserve the liquid in a measuring cup.
• In a food processor add the cherries, lemon peels, and a tiny pinch of salt, to taste. Pulse while slowly adding the reserved liquid, about 1/4 to 1/2 cup, until the consistency of cranberry sauce or relish is achieved. Use the remaining reserved liquid to flavor iced tea, if desired. Taste and add fresh lemon juice to balance the sweetness. Spoon the relish into a bowl, cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

FERRERO ROCHER COOKIE CUPS

Steps:

• Liberally spray a 24-cup nonstick miniature muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray, then sprinkle each cup with a touch of flour. Shake the muffin tin so that the flour completely coats each cup, then shake out any excess. Set aside.
• Combine the hazelnuts, sugar and salt in a food processor and pulse until the hazelnuts are finely ground. Add the flour and pulse until completely combined. Add the butter and pulse until the butter is finely chopped and the mixture begins to come together, then add the vanilla and egg and pulse until a dough forms. Use a rubber spatula to transfer the dough to a medium bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Position an oven rack in the middle of the oven and place a large baking sheet on the rack. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Divide the dough evenly among the prepared muffin cups (about 1 scant tablespoon each), then use your fingers or the back of a small spoon to flatten the dough in each cup, coming slightly up the sides. Gently press a chocolate hazelnut truffle into the center of each piece of dough (the dough will come up the sides of the truffles but should not come up over the edges of the muffin cups).
• Slide the muffin tin onto the preheated baking sheet, and bake, rotating the baking sheet once halfway through, until the cookies are light golden brown around the edges, about 25 minutes.
• Allow the cookies to cool completely in the muffin tin set on a cooling rack.
• Use a small offset spatula or butter knife to gently coax each cookie out of its cup, then place the cookies on a cooling rack set over a baking sheet.
• Put the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave in 15-second intervals, stirring after each, until the chocolate is completely melted, about 1 minute total. Transfer the melted chocolate to a pastry bag or resealable plastic bag. Snip off the corner of the bag and drizzle the chocolate back and forth over the top of the cookies. Allow the topping to cool completely before serving.

LEMON BAR COOKIE CUPS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Spray a mini muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray.
• In a small mixing bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and baking powder; set aside.
• In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar until fluffy.
• Beat in egg and vanilla.
• Gradually beat in dry ingredients until combined.
• Roll into 1" sized balls and place in muffin tin.
• Bake for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown.
• Press the insides of the cookies down with the backside of a spoon to make an indent for filling; let cool.
• To make the filling, cream together 6 Tablespoons softened butter with 1 cup sugar.
• Mix in 2 eggs and just the yolks from the other 2 eggs, and beat until well combined.
• Add lemon juice and mix until combined, there will still be some lumps.
• Pour filling mixture into a saucepan over medium heat.
• Whisk constantly for 5 minutes, or until smooth and thickened.
• Remove lemon curd from heat and let cool for 2-3 minutes.
• Carefully spoon a teaspoon of lemon curd into each cookie cup.
• Top cookie cups with lemon zest of one lemon, and place in fridge for 30 minutes, or until lemon curd has set up.
• Remove cookie cups from pan using a butter knife and sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving.