Toasted Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookies

I am currently obsessed with all that is coconut.  I'm always looking for ways to sneak it into whatever sweets I can, although I'm completely aware that not everyone is as jazzed about it as I am, but I certainly don't care.  These cookies had the perfect coconut texture and flavor. They also combined two of my favorite things, chocolate and coconut, a combination only second to peanut butter and chocolate.

Ingredients:
1 cup sweetened coconut flakes 
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 
1 teaspoon baking soda 
1 teaspoon salt 
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened 
3/4 cup granulated sugar 
3/4 cup packed brown sugar 
1 teaspoon almond extract (I was in the mood for it, feel free to use vanilla)
2 large eggs
2 cups mini chocolate chips

First step, toasting your coconut.  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and spread the coconut evenly over an ungreased baking sheet.  Bake for 15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes.  If you like yours a little more or a little less brown, adjust to your pleasure.  Set coconut aside and make the cookie dough.

Bump your oven up to 375. Combine flour, baking soda and salt in a bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and almond extract in large mixer bowl until it's nice and smooth. An important note about softening butter for cookies, NEVER completely melt your butter, completely melted butter will make your cookies flat, simply soften it. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Turn off your beater and add mini chocolate chips and 3/4-1 cup of the toasted coconut. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets, I use one of those fancy spring-loaded scoopers and it makes the cookies turn out grocery store uniformed.

Bake for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. I like my cookies soft, so I kept it around 10 minutes. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes and place on wire racks to cool completely.  Pour yourself a large glass of milk (I went for the new So Delicious coconut milk) and enjoy, your fiance might laugh at you while you "mmmmmm," from the room next door.