Okay, I have one more and that is IT. Finito. No more cookies today.
This recipe was a winner in the 1994 Bake-off contest. It was created by a former WAC named Betty, who used her prize money to buy a car which she named “The Chocolate Coconut Cruncher”. Every time I come across this recipe I picture Betty cruising down the highway in The Cruncher, so I figured it was high time to try the cookies.
I had half a box of cake mix (Devils Food) that needed using and decided to make a half batch. A half batch was still 30 cookies, so I changed my mind and scaled the recipe down even more to make 15 cookies. Things worked out well.
Using a 1/4 of a box of cake mix isn’t as ridiculous as it sounds because you can always use the rest of the cake mix in other things…..such as more cookies. I measured the cake mix after I weighed it and ¼ box ( 4.5625 oz) was about 1 cup plus ½ tablespoon.
I’m going to link you right to original recipe in case you need 5 dozen cookies.
The version below makes 15 cookies….and they’re really good!
Chocolate Coconut Crunchers (Small Yield Version)
4 tablespoons butter
1 cup plus 1/2 tablespoon chocolate cake mix (1/4 of an 18.25 oz box)
2 tablespoons lightly beaten egg
1/4 cup coconut
1/4 cup toasted chopped walnuts
1/4 cup crushed corn flakes
1/4 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Have ready one parchment lined cookie sheet
In a medium size microwave-safe mixing bowl, melt the butter on high (40-50 seconds). Add cake mix to melted butter and stir until moist. Stir in egg. Add coconut, nuts, corn flakes, oats and chocolate chips. Stir until mixed.
Drop by generously rounded teaspoonfuls 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets. Press the mounds together tightly so that they are compact, then press them gently to about ½ inch thickness.
Bake cookies for 8-10 minutes or until set. Remove from oven and let cool on cookie sheet for 2 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.
Makes 15 cookies
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Very good and clever recipe. And I especially like the smaller batch you came up with…I mean, that’s ALL I really need in this house! Big batches give me stress about who to give them to! Love the image of “The Cruncher” – hilarious!
These are some fine looking cookies! btw–I also like your “smaller amounts recipes”!
Catherine and JEP, I feel the same way about small amounts — fifteen cookies is the perfect amount…unless there’s a bake-sale or something.
The cookies look great. I ahve never heard of using a cake mix for cookies before though – I may have to try it for myself.
Is there a more blissful combination than chocolate and coconut? I submit that there is not. Nicely done, keep up the good work!!
I’m a huge coconut fan, but alas, my husband is not. =( Do you think I could just leave it out, or should I substitute it with something?