Upcycled Potting Bench & Toasted Coconut, Toffee & Chocolate Chip Cookies

Knowing what a connoisseur of junk I am, my dad asked me to keep my eye out for a dresser or some such thing that might make a good potting bench.

I don’t think he had any idea what wheels would start spinning when he asked that!  So I’ve been researching and found some pretty good ideas.  Check these out:

1. Junk Market Style  2. Sonoma Garden Designs   3. Autumn Place Arts   4. Joe D Mayes   5. Houston Mamacita   6. Eden Makers Blog

Now, I'm off to the thrift store to see what I can find to start this project, but before I do I want to share a recipe I tried last week that was the BOMB from Two Peas and their Pod.

Toasted Coconut, Toffee, & Chocolate Chip Cookies 

1 cup flaked sweetened coconut
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon coconut extract
1 large egg
1 cup Heath toffee bits
3/4 cup chocolate chips

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and arrange coconut in a single layer on the pan. Bake for 5-7 minutes or until coconut is lightly toasted, stirring once. Set coconut aside to cool.

2.  Line another baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat and set aside. Whisk together flour, baking powder, soda, and salt in a medium bowl.

3. In the bowl of a stand mixer, add brown sugar and butter. Beat at medium speed until creamy and smooth, about two minutes. Beat in vanilla extract, coconut extract, and egg. Slowly add dry ingredients and mix until combined. Stir in toasted coconut, toffee bits, and chocolate chips.

4. Drop spoonfuls of dough 2 inches apart onto prepared baking sheet. Bake at 350° for 10 minutes or until cookies start to brown around the edges. Remove from pan, and cool completely on wire racks.

Note-if you can’t find Heath Toffee Bits you can chop up Heath or Skor candy bars.

Makes 2 dozen cookies