There is only one reason why I don’t do a lot of baking: calories. Most of the things I’d bake have lots of calories and I find it’s just best not to have those things around the house if I can help it. But recently, I bought a bag of shredded coconut for another recipe that I never ended up making and after a few weeks of it sitting around in my pantry next to a big bag of chocolate chips, I decided to do something about it. The result? Almond Joy Cookies.

Ingredients:
1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1 tsp almond extract
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
6 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut
1/2 cup slivered almonds

1) Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2) Spray cookie sheets with cooking spray or grease them
3) Measure all ingredients except for the chocolate chips, coconut, and almonds in a large bowl and mix well.
4) Add the remaining ingredients and stir in well.
5) Drop rounds (I used a tablespoon) onto greased sheets about 2 inches apart.
6) Bake about 10 minutes, until cookies are lightly browned.
7) Cool on a wire rack.
8) EAT!

This recipe makes about 2 1/2 to 3 dozen cookies, depending on how much dough you eat before you bake them. Yes, I know it’s dangerous to eat anything with raw egg in it, but I can’t resist cookie dough. Yet another reason why I don’t bake very often.

Enjoy!