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Coconut Cookies
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Looking for a fun and easy treat? These coconut cookies are packed with sweet coconut flavor and a crispy texture. Perfect for dessert or a quick snack, these cookies will become a household favorite.
This recipe is easy to make, and you can follow the guide below. We include step-by-step photos and directions, plus pro tips and tricks. Check out the FAQ section for answers to common questions!
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Craving a sweet treat that's easy to make? Try these tropical cookies! They take just 30 minutes from start to finish, making them perfect for any occasion. Whether you're planning a party, dinner, or potluck, this treat stands out with its irresistible coconut flavor and crispy texture. Make a batch today and watch them disappear quickly!
Ingredients
What you'll need to make these Coconut Cookies:
- 1 cup of unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup of granulated sugar
- ½ cup of packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon of coconut extract
- 2¾ cups of all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon of baking soda
- 1 teaspoon of cream of tartar
- ½ teaspoon of sea salt
- 1½ cups of sweetened coconut flakes, divided into ⅓ cup and 1 cup & 3 tablespoons
Pro Tip
Use sweetened coconut in this easy cookie recipe. When it toasts across the top of the cookie, it caramelizes a bit and adds something extra to the cookies.
Substitutions and Additions
Personalize your dessert recipe by swapping out ingredients and adding delicious extras! These simple changes can make your cookies uniquely yours. Here are some top substitutions and additions:
- Substitute Sugar: Use brown sugar or coconut sugar for a richer flavor in your coconut cookies.
- Add Chocolate Chips: Mix in chocolate chips for a delightful twist to your coconut cookies.
- Substitute Butter: Use margarine for a different taste in your coconut cookies.
- Add Nuts: Incorporate chopped almonds or pecans for added crunch in your coconut cookies.
- Substitute Flour: Use almond flour or gluten-free flour to make your coconut cookies gluten-free.
How to Make Coconut Cookies
Follow along with our pictures, step-by-step instructions, and tips and tricks listed below. Let's get started making your dessert! You'll love how easy and fun this recipe is to make.
FIRST STEP: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line large baking sheets with parchment paper.
SECOND STEP: In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy (about two minutes on medium speed).
Add the vanilla and coconut extracts and the eggs.
Continue beating on high speed for two to three minutes longer, and occasionally scraping down the sides of the mixing bowl with a rubber spatula.
Pro Tip
You can also use a hand mixer and a large bowl. It’s important to cream together the butter and sugars and then the eggs so that the texture of the cookie turns out soft and chewy.
THIRD STEP: Mix the flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt in a medium bowl.
FOURTH STEP: Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients by a spoonful at a time and mix on low speed until the flour has all been added.
FIFTH STEP: Fold or beat in most of the coconut (reserving about ⅓ cup), just enough to mix it evenly into the dough.
SIXTH STEP: Use a cookie scoop or spoon to drop balls of dough (about two tablespoons) onto the cookie sheets, spacing the cookies two inches apart.
Sprinkle the reserved coconut flakes over the tops.
Pro Tip
Oven temperatures vary and may need to be recalibrated periodically to ensure they are accurate. Make sure to check your cookies at the lower end of the recommended baking time.
SEVENTH STEP: Bake in the preheated oven for nine to ten minutes, until the cookies are lightly golden brown and the coconut is just toasted.
Pro Tip
The cookies are soft and chewy, and they have a nice soft center. We like to take them out of the oven as soon as the top toasts and the bottom edges are golden brown, undercooking them just a touch, so they’re extra chewy.
EIGHTH STEP: Transfer the cookies to a wire rack and let them cool.
How to Serve Coconut Cookeis
These cookies work for any occasion, from summer picnics to holiday parties. Kids and adults both love them!
- For Kids' Parties Serve these coconut cookies with a glass of lemonade or hot cocoa. Kids love the sweet, crispy treat alongside their favorite drinks.
- Holiday Gatherings These cookies shine at holiday gatherings, paired with a warm mug of spiked hot chocolate or mulled cider. Everyone will enjoy their festive flavor.
- Summer Picnics Bring these coconut cookies to summer picnics with iced tea. They add a sweet touch to your outdoor fun.
Why You'll Love Coconut Cookies
Coconut cookies are a beloved favorite for many delightful reasons:
- A Burst of Flavor: These cookies blend the sweet, nutty taste of coconut with a light, crispy texture. Each bite offers a tropical treat.
- Evokes Sunny Memories: Coconut cookies remind many of warm beach days, summer picnics, and fun family gatherings. Their tropical flavor brings sunshine to any occasion.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Enjoy these cookies at parties, holiday gatherings, or just as a delightful snack.
These cookies aren't just tasty—they're a bite of joy that brings a little sunshine to your day.
Baking FAQ
What makes these coconut cookies crispy?
The combination of butter and sugar creates a crispy texture that pairs perfectly with the coconut flavor.
How long do these cookies take to bake?
These coconut cookies take about 12-15 minutes to bake, resulting in a golden, crispy finish.
Can I use sweetened or unsweetened coconut?
Both work well, but sweetened coconut adds extra sweetness, while unsweetened provides a more natural coconut flavor.
How do I know when the cookies are done?
The edges should turn golden brown, and the centers should set but remain slightly soft.
Serving FAQ
How should I serve coconut cookies at a party?
Arrange them on a decorative platter, adding a touch of elegance to your dessert table.
What drinks pair well with coconut cookies?
Serve them with cold milk, hot cocoa, or even tropical drinks like pineapple juice for a fun twist.
Can these cookies be served warm or cold?
Coconut cookies taste delicious both warm from the oven and cooled to room temperature.
Are these cookies suitable for kids and adults?
Both kids and adults love these coconut cookies, making them a perfect treat for any gathering.
Storage FAQ
Follow the directions, tips, and tricks below for optimal storage of your coconut cookies. From making ahead to reheating, we've got you covered.
Can I prepare coconut cookies ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the dough ahead and store it in the fridge for up to two days.
What's the best way to store leftover coconut cookies?
Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh for up to one week.
Is it possible to freeze coconut cookies?
Yes, freeze the baked cookies in an airtight container for up to three months. Thaw in the fridge or on the counter.
Can I reheat coconut cookies in the microwave?
Yes, use the microwave in 10-second increments, but be careful not to overcook.
Coconut Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs (room temperature)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon coconut extract
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- 1 ½ cups sweetened coconut flakes (divided into ⅓ cup and 1 cup 3 tablespoons)
DIRECTIONS
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat together the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes on medium speed). Add the vanilla and coconut extracts and the eggs and continue beating on high speed for 2 to 3 minutes longer, occasionally scraping down the sides of the mixing bowl.
- Mix the flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt in a medium bowl.
- Add the flour mixture to the butter/sugar mixture by the spoonful and mix on low speed until the flour has all been added.
- Fold or beat in most of the coconut (reserving about ⅓ cup), just enough to mix it evenly into the dough.
- Use a cookie scoop or spoon to drop balls of dough (about 2 tablespoons) onto the cookie sheets, spacing cookies 2 inches apart. Sprinkle the reserved coconut flakes over the tops of the cookies.
- Bake for 9 to 10 minutes, until the cookies are lightly golden brown and the coconut is just toasted.
- Transfer the cookies to a cooling rack and let them cool.
Notes
- Use sweetened coconut in this easy cookie recipe. When it toasts across the top of the cookie, it caramelizes a bit and adds something extra to the cookies.
- You can also use a hand mixer and a large bowl. It’s important to cream together the butter and sugars and then the eggs so that the texture of the cookie turns out soft and chewy.
- Oven temperatures vary and may need to be recalibrated periodically to ensure they are accurate. Make sure to check your cookies at the lower end of the recommended baking time.
- Oven temperatures vary and may need to be recalibrated periodically to ensure they are accurate. Make sure to check your cookies at the lower end of the recommended baking time.
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