Coconut Oil Brownies

Happy Monday! My boyfriend and I just got back from a long weekend in New York City. While I wouldn't want to live there, it is always fun to visit the city for a few days. Throughout the weekend, we visited a number of bakeries and I can't wait to share some of the highlights of the trip soon. You can definitely say that I had my fair share of cupcakes and cookies this past weekend.

Right before the 4th of July, I made a batch of Coconut Oil Brownies to bring to a gathering with my boyfriend's family. These Coconut Oil Chocolate Chip Cookies quickly became the most popular post on my blog and with good reason. I love the sweet yet subtle coconut flavor that coconut oil gives to baked goods. With half a jar still left in my pantry, I was eager to make these Coconut Oil Brownies. In my opinion, these brownies are just as good as the cookies and are a recipe that I will always turn to when I have extra coconut oil hanging around.

Coconut Oil Brownies

Recipe from Handle the Heat

2 oz. bittersweet chocolate, meleted

1/2 cup virgin coconut oil

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup light brown sugar

2 large eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp baking soda

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray an 8x8 inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Line the  baking pan with aluminum foil, leaving an overhang on opposite sides to lift out the brownies after baking. Spray the aluminum foil with nonstick cooking spray.

In a large bowl, whisk together the melted chocolate, coconut oil, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs and vanilla. Add the flour, cocoa powder, salt and bakings soda. Mix until just combined. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan. Bake for approximately 20 minutes or until the brownies are set but still moist.

Allow the brownies to cool completely on a wire rack. Cut into square and serve. 

Coconut Oil Chocolate Chip Cookies

This past weekend was Father's Day which meant that I couldn't show up at my house without a batch of cookies. My dad loves cookies. Like father, like daughter. Before heading home, I made these Coconut Oil Chocolate Chip Cookies. Coconut oil is a really trendy ingredient right now so I was especially eager to try it out. Prior to this weekend, I had only ever used coconut oil in my hair and as a skin moisturizer. I love the smell- it always makes me feel like I am in the tropics. In addition to the benefits to your hair and skin, coconut oil also adds great flavor to baked goods. I am not always the biggest coconut fan, but I loved these cookies.

My boyfriend is also not much of a coconut fan. In order to get him to eat the cookies, I didn't tell him that they had coconut oil in them. I only mentioned that there might be a secret ingredient. Turns out my boyfriend loved them too. The coconut flavor is present, yet not overwhelming. Perfect for both the coconut lovers and the coconut haters. 

Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookies

Recipe adapted from How Sweet Eats

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

3/4 cup virgin coconut oil, melted and cooled

1/3 cup granulated sugar

1 cup brown sugar

1 large egg plus 1 large egg yolk

2 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp coconut extract

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line large baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside. 

In a stand mixer, beat together the coconut oil and sugar for 1-2 minutes. Add the egg, egg yolk, vanilla extract and coconut. Mix until light and creamy. With the mixer on slow speed, gradually add the flour mixture to the bowl. Mix until just combined. Stop the mixer and gently fold in the chocolate chips with a rubber spatula.

Scoop dough onto prepared baking sheets (my cookie dough balls were approximately 1 1/2 inches). Bake for 12-14 minutes or until golden brown around the edges. Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.