recipe :: raw cookies and milk

I'm not into cute. But can I help it if these tiny raw cookies scream cute? Many raw desserts are quite complicated to make, but these wee treats are mercifully easy to put together [easy, that is, after you crack open a Thai young coconut]. They remind me of reverse Oreos, with the sinful "coconut creme" filling gracing the outside and sticky-n-sticky "smooshed" dates tucked inside. I think these would make a great lunchbox surprise.

The milk is simply almond milk. You can use store-bought or go all-raw and make your own. I like to serve the nut milk in a shot glass, sprinkled with a bit of cinnamon. Shot glasses make everything seem taboo and therefore decadent.

I used mini-pie cookie cutters to make the stars but you can use any small cookie cutters. Depending on the dryness of your coconut meat, you may need toothpicks to hold the cookies together.

Raw Sandwich Cookies

• Coconut nut meat from one Thai young coconut [To learn how to open Thai young coconuts, watch this video].
• About 6-8 Medjool dates
• Optional: about 1/4-1/2 tsp cinnamon

Makes 10-20 cookies, depending on the size of your coconut and your cookie cutters.

1. With a large spoon, gently scrape out the nut meat from the coconut, leaving as much in one piece as possible. Gently pat with a paper towel to remove excess moisture and set aside.
2. Remove the pits from the dates, and either flatten them with your hands, or if you're particular, roll them flat with a rolling pin. They should be about as thick as the nut meat. If you want to sprinkle the dates with cinnamon, do it now, and press the spice gently into the dates.
3. Take your cookie cutters and cut a ratio of 2 shapes of nut meat to 1 shape of flattened date paste. Assemble your cookies: coconut meat, date filling, coconut meat. Tamp down slightly. Secure with a toothpick, if needed. Refrigerate until serving.