Washboards from ATK's The Perfect Cookie & a Giveaway

If you follow my blog then you already know how much I love everything that comes out of America's Test Kitchen.  I'd even wager to say I'm their #1 fan, albeit a self-appointed title to be sure!  So when they reached out to me inquiring if I was interested in reviewing their new baking book, The Perfect Cookie,  there was no hesitation on my part whatsoever.   

 

If ever there was a cookbook with my name written all over it, this was it.    As I flipped through the countless pages of beautiful imagery I noted that almost every foolproof recipe you could imagine was covered.  No doubt you'll be like me, reaching for this tome again and again when you've got those cookie cravings.  [Notice the myriad of Post-Its peeking out from my copy!]

Since I've been baking along with ATK for ages now I've made quite a lot of their cookie recipes already.  For this review I wanted to try one that was new to me.  I'm a sucker for coconut in baked goods so I was immediately drawn to the Washboards.  Crispy, crunchy and lightly sweetened with coconut flavor, these would be the perfect treat to serve along with ice cream or a cup of tea.

Even better, because they were "slice and bake" cookies I could make the dough days in advance and bake them off whenever I wanted.   Forming and shaping the washboards couldn't be easier and the ridges on top are made using a fork.  The cookies baked to a gorgeous golden brown and after a cool down I devoured three of them straight away.   The texture and flavor actually reminded me of a coconut flavored Biscoff cookie....so delicious!   As far as I'm concerned ATK is batting a thousand with this recipe and the new cookbook. 

To celebrate the release of their newest publication ATK was kind enough to host a giveaway for 2 copies of the cookbook.  Here's how you can enter:

1) Blog: comment on this blog post with your email address 

2) Instagram: Follow me @treatssf and ATK @testkitchen, then like the giveaway post

RULES: 

• Giveaway ends at 11:59pm PST on Saturday Sept 30, 2017
• Winners chosen at random and have 48 hours to respond, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
• Only open to U.S. mailing addresses 

Washboards Cookies

2 cups (10 oz) all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

8 tablespoons (1/2 cup or 1 stick) unsalted butter, softened

1 cup (7 oz) packed light brown sugar

1 large egg, room temperature

2 tablespoons milk

1 cup (3 oz) sweetened shredded coconut

Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and nutmeg together in a bowl.  Using stand mixer fitted with paddle, beat butter and sugar on medium-high speed until pale and fluffy, about 2 minutes.  Add egg and milk and beat until well combined.  Reduce speed to low, add flour mixture and coconut, and mix until just incorporated.

Transfer dough to a counter and, using your floured hands, roll dough into 15-inch log, then flatten top and sides to measure 3 inches by 1 inch.  Wrap log tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, at least 45 minutes or up to 3 days.  

Adjust oven racks to upper-middle and lower-middle positions and heat oven to 350 degrees.  Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.

Slice chilled dough into 1/4-inch-thick rectangles and space them 1 inch apart on prepared sheets.  Using floured fork, make crosswise indentations in dough slices.  Bake until toasty brown, 15 to 18 minutes, switching and rotating sheets halfway through baking.  Let cookies cook on sheets for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire rack.  Let cookies cool completely before serving.