Description
Washboard cookies bring a nostalgic crunch that connects straight to childhood memories. Delicate ridges and buttery sweetness make these simple treats perfect for sharing with friends and family during afternoon tea or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 egg
- ½ stick butter
- ¾ cup sweetened shredded coconut
Supporting Ingredients:
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ⅛ cup water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon coconut extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
Seasonings and Leavening Agents:
- ¾ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- Pinch of salt
- Granulated sugar (for topping)
Instructions
- Mix ½ stick softened butter with 1 cup brown sugar and ¼ cup granulated sugar until light and creamy in texture.
- Incorporate 1 egg, ⅛ cup water, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon coconut extract, and ½ teaspoon almond extract into the butter mixture until fully blended.
- Whisk 2 cups all-purpose flour, ¾ teaspoon baking powder, ¼ teaspoon baking soda, and a pinch of salt in a separate bowl.
- Gradually fold dry ingredients into wet mixture until a consistent dough forms.
- Gently stir in ¾ cup shredded coconut until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Refrigerate dough for 75 minutes to help maintain shape during baking.
- Preheat your oven to 400°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll dough into 1-inch balls and flatten each with a fork’s tines.
- Sprinkle additional granulated sugar across the top of each cookie.
- Bake for 9 minutes until edges turn golden brown.
- Allow cookies to rest on baking sheet for 4 minutes before transferring to a wire cooling rack.
Notes
- Chill the dough thoroughly to prevent spreading and maintain the classic washboard shape during baking.
- Use unsweetened shredded coconut for the best texture and to control the overall sweetness of the cookies.
- Create the signature washboard pattern by pressing a fork gently in a crisscross pattern before baking, ensuring even sugar coating.
- For a gluten-free version, swap the all-purpose flour with a reliable gluten-free flour blend that includes xanthan gum for better structure.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8-10 minutes
- Category: Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 191 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 72 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 17 mg