Coconut & Jam Heart Cookies

I know today is Tuesday and I should have a recipe for Garam Masala Tuesdays but then today is also Christmas eve here in the US and Christmas back in India, so I wanted a Christmas related recipe to be up today. And these Coconut and Jam Hearts recipe from Donna Hay Magazine fit the bill perfectly.

Now I am not a Christian but even so, when I was in India we always celebrated Christmas. Since India has a good share of Christians, Christmas is a national holiday in India. To those who wonder whether Indians celebrate Christmas, well, my Facebook feed is full of my Indian friends wishing each other Merry christmas- so yes we do.

Growing up, my parents never set up a christmas tree, but for Christmas we always attended a Christmas party my mom and the wives of other Air Force officers would arrange for us kids.

For days before the party we would practice carol singing and then on day of the Christmas party perform it on stage. Of course, I would always stand in the back for such performances away from the Microphone (I liked to think it was because of my height, but deep down I knew it was because of my voice).

The most exciting part, though, was always when Santa Claus came in his Fire Engine and distributed presents and sweets to us. The presents were bought and wrapped up by our parents a day or two before and given to Santa to hand it to us.

Those were fun days.

Keeping in line with the christmas spirit, I made a few Christmas cookies to gift to friends here. These coconut and jam cookies were one of the type of cookies I made.

Now for a good part of my childhood and adulthood, my paternal grandparents stayed in a place called Jalandhar, a city in the Indian state of Punjab. Very close to where we stayed was a bakery that sold the most amazing goodies. I have seen that shop grow from a cramped up tiny bakery to a huge two storied one, the success very well deserved. During college, I remember they had started selling Jam cookies which I took a liking to. When it was time for me to head back to hostel, my grandfather would pack those jam cookies and atte ka biscuits (wholewheat biscuits), along with a packet of Melody toffees (a toffee that I was and still am crazy about) for me to take with me.

These Coconut and Jam cookies took me back to those cookies that I loved and devoured in my hostel room. Not that I remember the exact taste of those cookies, but nonetheless these taste great. I just ate one a few minutes back, and I crave for another. Fortunately (for my waist), and unfortunately (for my taste buds) I have sent most of them away and have promised V two, leaving me with just one, which I plan to relish with my cup of coffee tomorrow on Christmas day.

When you get the time, do try these cookies and I hope you love them as much as I do.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a fun holiday season.