Sugar cookie cups with a hint of coconut, topped with cream cheese frosting, shredded coconut, and strawberries….the perfect little bite-sized dessert for Memorial Day, 4th of July, or your next summer picnic!
A few years back, when we were in the process of selling our first home and looking for a new one, one of my top criteria was that our new home was in a walkable community. I loved the idea of being able to walk with the kids to parks, restaurants, and coffee shops….and I loved the idea of my kids growing up in a community where people were always out and about!
But….after we sold our house in just a few weeks, and our search for a new house in our price range in a walkable community began, we quickly realized that none of the houses in walkable communities were really in our price range….or at least not ones we’d want to live in! As most of you probably know by now, we ended up settling on a real beater of a house (in a completely non-walkable community, by the way) and it is only after hundreds of hours of blood, sweat and tears (not to mention tens of thousands of dollars) that our new house has finally become “home”.
The good news about our Lemon Tree Dwelling? Even though it’s not in a walkable community, it is close to everything…..including a cute little (walkable) village less than 5 minutes away. This little village has everything you really need – a grocery store, an ice cream shop, a lovely park with a little pond, a library, a church. And, as we found out last year, it has a great Memorial Day parade and festivities.
Our little neighbor boy, Patrick, was actually playing drums in the parade, so of course we had to go check it out! Since Nora was not even a year old at the time, I took Ellia and Greta to the parade while Jorden stayed home. The day was hotter than hot, and by the time we found a parking spot and walked the half mile to a (not really) empty spot, we were all dripping with sweat. Hot. Sticky. CRABBY!
Some of us more than others. Namely, Greta. The spot we ended up in was on a corner, and we quickly realized that all the trucks and bikes and floats took the corner off when it came to candy-throwing. So mid-way through the parade, as kids on either side of us had bags bursting with candy, Greta had none. And everyone was going to hear about it. And somewhere, amidst the screaming and the throwing and the refusing candy from other people who were so kindly offering it to her, I made the decision that the Memorial Parade would not be happening again. At least not this year….or anytime soon. Instead, I decided, the kids can put on their own parade this year…..and I’ll throw the candy. I’ll even make treats. Namely, these ones.
And everyone will be happy. Namely, ME!!
Ingredients
Cookie Cups
- 1 17.5 oz. package Sugar Cookie Cookie Mix (I used Betty Crocker)
- 1/2 c. coconut oil
- 1 egg
- 1/2 c. sweetened shredded coconut
- blue food coloring
- 6 fresh strawberries quartered (if using large strawberries, divide into smaller segments)
Cream Cheese Frosting (recipe from Cupcakes!)
- 1/2 c. unsalted butter at room temperature
- 6 oz. cream cheese at room temperature
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 3 c. powdered sugar
Instructions
Cookie Cups
- Mix cookies according to package instructions, substituting coconut oil for butter. (*If you use a different brand of cookie mix, simply substitute coconut oil for butter in the same amount.)
- Grease mini muffin tin (24 muffins) and divide dough evenly among tins.
- Use your finger to make an indentation in the center of each tin - this will make it into a "cookie cup".
- Bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes.
- Cool completely.
Cream Cheese Frosting
- In a large bowl, beat butter, cream cheese, and vanilla with an electric mixer until smooth and blended.
- Add powdered sugar, mixing until smooth, then beat on medium speed for 1 minute to lighten the frosting.
- **Top cooled cookie cups with cream cheese frosting, using a plastic bag with the corner cut off to pipe frosting. Top with blue coconut (mix coconut with 1-2 drops blue food coloring) and strawberry segment.
Lisa Longley says
Oh man! I totally remember that day!! I didn’t go to the parade either because I stayed home with Quinn. Man. You and Nathan really got the short straws that year 🙂
These look delicious, Cath!
Betty Daniels says
These are very tasty. And quite addictive. But, they are so small you can certainly eat two or three or… These little treats really scream “Summer!” ☺
Jessica @ Barefoot by the Sea says
Yummy – what a perfect Memorial Day treat, thank you for sharing! They look scrumptious!
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says
People are vicious at the candy throwing parades! And ugh, repairs on houses. I keep telling myself ours had 5 years of neglect…so it’s going to take that long to get back to it’s glory state!
Brenda @ Chatting Over Chocolate says
Good idea to let your kiddos put on their own parade …and with these cute and festive cookie cups it’ll be the BEST parade ever, no doubt! 😉 Happy Memorial Day weekend, Cathy! :*)
Lizbeth McGow says
How adorable and yummy with the cream cheese frosting! Happy weekend and thank you for sharing, I came over will cook for smiles party! Lizy
Angie Church says
love these they look so cute and sweet
come see what I shared at http://shopannies.blogspot.com
Cathy says
I would love for you to share and link up at my TGIF Link Party. The party is open every Thursday night and closes Wednesday’s at midnight.
http://apeekintomyparadise.blogspot.com/
Have a wonderful week!
Hugs, Cathy
Deon@iPinnedIt.com says
WOWZA! These looks so delish! And, anything with cream cheese frosting gets an automatic high-five from me 😀 –Deon@iPinnedIt.com
Paula Jones says
Thanks for linking up to Marvelous Mondays at Call Me PMc ~Paula
FrugalFoodieMama says
I love this idea! And so easy! Pinning for a possible 4th of July dessert. 😉
Thank you for sharing at Marvelous Mondays this week!
Jill @ KitchenFunWithMy3Sons.com says
These look great & yummy! We would love for you to share with our Kitchen Fun & Crafty Friday link party!:) Just put it up! http://kitchenfunwithmy3sons.blogspot.com/2013/05/kitchen-fun-crafty-friday-link-party.html
Julie Huston says
Yum! You are invited to share this with Show Your Stuff:
http://juliejewels1.blogspot.com/2013/05/peanut-butter-flax-seed-cookies-show.html
KC Coake says
They look so yummy! Looks like a perfect treat for your own parade! Thanks so much for linking up at the Real Family Fun link party! Hope to see you next week.
KC
Cynthia Landrie says
I think it is fun that you were able to go to a little parade, but I understand how kids get. I remember standing at the end of the parade and my little one not getting candy! I am sure these wonderful cookies were much better than the candy! At least, I think they would be!
Thank you for linking this recipe up to the In and Out of the Kitchen Link Party! I will be featuring your cookies in the Top 10 post that will come out Monday morning! Thanks again!
Cynthia at http://FeedingBig.com
Maria says
These look delicious!
I am stopping by to let you know that this recipe has been featured in my Patriotic Round-up of recipes and craft ideas. You can view the post here: http://kraftycardsetc.blogspot.com/2013/06/patriotic-recipes-crafts-round-up.html
Thanks for the inspiration,
Maria
Krafty Cards etc.
Linda @ With A Blast says
If there is an ice-cream store, I’ll have everything I need ! The little village sound gorgeous 🙂 Pinned your recipe! Thank you for sharing at our ALL MY BLOGY FRIENDS party 🙂
Jen Nikolaus says
These sound delicious!!! I can’t wait to try!!
~Jen @ Yummy Healthy Easy
Brenda @ Chatting Over Chocolate says
Good morning, Cathy! I’m stopping by to let you know that I featured your adorable and yummy cookie cups on my blog today! 🙂 http://www.chattingoverchocolate.com/2013/06/lets-have-pinteresting-4th-of-july.html
I hope you and your family enjoy a terrific 4th of July!! *Hugs!*