Christmas Cookie Countdown: Maui Oatmeal Sandwiches

Each year we try and incorporate a new cookie into our holiday repertoire. Last year we were reintroduced to the healthy version of oatmeal lace cookies by one of my favorite cooking blogs ever! Skinnytaste.com. These thin delicate cookies are great by themselves, but sandwiching two cookies together is always a extra good thing.  My daughter and I wanted to tackle this recipe last night, but with a few twists of our own to make it a little bit more Maui inspired. 

We added a little melted white chocolate spread in the center. We also went back to a classic more rich recipe incorporating lots of butter, brown sugar, vanilla and almond extract. Oh! we also added coconut to the Mix as well. You can even in add in ground macadamia nuts which would make this even more fantastic, we would have... but going to the store third time yesterday for this mama was not happening! 

Ingredients

1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter 

1 1/2 cups traditional oats

3/4  tablespoon of all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup +2 tablespoons light brown sugar firmly packed

1 teaspoons vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon almond extract 

1 egg lightly beaten

1/4 cup coconut shredded

On low heat melt butter, do not let it boil and make sure it cools a little before adding the next ingredient

Stir in brown sugar, flour, and salt until well combined. Add in vanilla and almond extract. Fold in coconut and Oats.

Once all above ingredients are combined stir in beaten egg.

Portion out 1 tablespoon size of batter and smooth flat with back of a spoon on a parchment or silpat covered sheet tray. Make sure to leave about 2 to 3 inches between each cookie they do spread and melt as they cook. These are going to be flat and thin.

Bake in a 325 oven for 13 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool on baking tray for about 5 minutes. Using a thin spatula slowly lift them up and transfer them to a wire rack to completely cool.

Once  your cookies are cool, you can melt white chocolate chips in the microwave in 30 seconds increments. stirring in between, to prevent burning. Smooth a thin layer of white chocolate on the bottom side of one cookie and sandwich with the other bottom they should look like little oatmeal sandwiches. (ignore my dirty stove, it did some work last night)

Store in a airtight container with parchment paper in between. They will get softer the longer they set, so eat within 2 to 3 days. Feel free to experiment with your add in's and  your sandwiched flavors. Pecans and melted butterscotch chips would be good too! the sky is the limit with these things. They are just so sweet and delicious!