Dried Fruit Cookie Recipes - Fijian Cookies

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup/125 g butter, softened

• 1/2 cup/125 g cream cheese, softened

• 1 1/4 cups/180 g confectioners'/icing sugar

• 1/4 tsp baking soda

• 1/4 tsp salt

• 1 large egg, lightly beaten

• 1 tbsp finely grated orange zest

• 1 tbsp fresh orange juice

• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract/essence

• 2 1/4 cups/330 g all-purpose/plain flour

• 1/2 cup/60 g shredded/desiccated coconut

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Method:

1. Beat the butter and cream cheese in a large bowl with an electric mixer at medium speed for 1 minute.

2. Beat in the confectioners' sugar, baking soda, and salt. Add the egg, beating until just blended. Beat in the orange zest, juice, and vanilla.

3. Mix in the flour to form a soft dough. Turn the dough out on a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth. Divide the dough in half.

4. Form the dough into two 8-inch (20-cm) logs and roll each in the coconut. Wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

5. Preheat the oven to 375°F/190°C/gas 5. Set out three cookie sheets. Slice the dough 1/4 inch (5 mm) thick and place 1 inch (2.5 cm) apart on the cookie sheets.

6. Bake, one sheet at a time, for 8-10 minutes, or until just golden. Cool on the sheet until the cookies firm slightly. Transfer to racks to finish cooling.