Island Pineapple Macadamia Nut Cookies

These cookies were inspired by our Maui vacation. I don't take home souvenirs the typical way--I bring home tastes and flavors and food memories. These cookies will send you straight to the Islands in no time flat. Enjoy!

3 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup loosely packed sweetened coconut flakes
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup (packed) golden brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 cup crushed pineapple, well drained
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 10 oz package cups white chocolate chips
1 cup med-fine chopped roasted salted macadamia nuts (about 4 1/2 ounces)

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line 2 large rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper. Sift first 4 ingredients into medium bowl. Using electric mixer, beat butter in large bowl until fluffy. Add both sugars and beat until blended. Beat in eggs, 1 at a time, then crushed pineapple and vanilla. Add dry ingredients and beat just until blended. Using spatula, stir in white chocolate chips and nuts.

For large cookies, drop dough by heaping tablespoonfuls onto prepared sheets, spacing 21/2 inches apart. For small cookies, drop dough by level tablespoonfuls onto sheets, spacing 11/2 inches apart.

Bake cookies until just golden, about 18 minutes for large cookies and about 15 minutes for small cookies. Cool on sheets. Do ahead Can be made ahead. Store airtight at room temperature up to 2 days or freeze up to 2 weeks.

December...

..had more going on than ever before. And this new year looks likes more of the same.