This week’s Tuesdays with Dorie recipe from Dorie’s Cookies was Zan’s Birthday Cookies (p 297).
Dorie says:
I created them for the thirteenth birthday party for a friend’s daughter, Zan. It was only after I tasted them that I realized I’d channeled the spirit of a German chocolate cake. The base of the cookie is a chewy cocoa brownie with chopped chocolate and sweet coconut mixed in. The filling is a light pastry cream flavored (and textured) with both toasted and plain coconut. And the topping is a layer of crunchy cocoa streusel.
Ok so it’s another “not really a cookie” – this is more like a layered brownie – but it’s so delicious that you can’t help but forgive Dorie! But, three layers? Never fear, according to Dorie:
Happily, as beautiful as these cookies are, they’re not difficult, because everything for them can — and should — be made ahead. In fact, each element works best after it’s spent time in the refrigerator
This is true – though it might sound like a pain each element of these “cookies” comes together pretty quickly and none are difficult.
Mine look much messier than Dorie’s neat layers but nothing some sprinkles (because, #birthday) can’t fix! I used oat flour (you can find the one I use on Nuts.com, alternatively, on Amazon < both affiliate links but both products I use often) and I think they were probably a little more “fidgey” than they were supposed to be but my GF friends loved them – we did too!
(^^ this is after a night in the fridge so the bottom is more compact than it was when we ate them fresh but these just needed a few minutes to come to room temperature to get a better texture (I stored them in the fridge because it’s REALLY hot and humid here – if it were cooler they would be fine to store at room temperature).
Verdict? A great “cookie” to make over the course of a day, take your time because the elements do better with some rest!
Get the recipe for Dorie Greenspan’s Zan’s Birthday Cookies on p 297 of Dorie’s Cookies.
Want more cookie recipes? Buy Dorie’s Cookies on Amazon (this link should bring you to the Amazon store geographically closest to you) or for free worldwide shipping, buy from The Book Depository. Then join us over on Tuesdays with Dorie and bake your way through the book!
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Disclosure: I was provided with a copy of “Dorie’s Cookies” for review purposes. I was not asked to write about the book, nor am I being compensated for doing so. All opinions 100% my own.
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Yep, these were great. As someone said, it’s sort of a “lighter” Nanaimo Bar in style, with the layers. Delectable.
I am glad these were worth the work. I am traveling for business and will make them when I get back. Thanks for all the handy hints.
I like the sprinkles on top – very festive!
I think I’d love ’em. You can make ’em for me soon.
i liked these, too, despite the work. i maybe could have had a bit more of the pastry cream in each one. love your fun sprinkles, and had to copy that!
Love the sprinkles you used to decorate!