Irresistible Chewy Coconut Cookies — Easy Cookie Recipes for Coconut Lovers

Posted on November 12, 2025

Plate of golden, chewy coconut cookies stacked and sprinkled with flakes — Cookies Recette, also brilliant as Cookie Bar Recipes.

Coconut Cookies — Chewy, Buttery, Totally Addictive (Easy Cookie Recipes)

Coconut Cookies are the kind of sweet that makes the kitchen smell like vacation and your snack game instantly upgraded. If you’re after easy cookie recipes that deliver crispy edges, chewy centers, and a real coconut kick — you’re in the right place. This is a one-bowl, no-mixer-required joyride for coconut lovers.

Why this article is long? Because you wanted an in-depth, friendly guide: the why, the how, the pro tips, clever swaps, and the exact recipe that actually works every time. Grab a mug, crank the oven to 350°F, and let’s bake.

Why you’ll fall hard for these Coconut Cookies

What’s not to love? These treats blend buttery cookie dough with toasted coconut for texture and flavor. They’re:

  • Quick — under 25 minutes from start to finish (mostly hands-off baking time).
  • Texturally perfect — crisp edges, pillowy centers, and a toasted coconut top.
  • Family-friendly — kids can help scoop and sprinkle.
  • Versatile — switch in chocolate chips, nuts, or turn them into bars.

If you bookmark only one cookie recipe this year, make it this one. These are the Coconut Cookies Recipes people write home about.

A little backstory (because food has feelings)

I grew up in a house where cookies were the universal solution: teachers’ gifts, rainy-day cheer, and “you survived finals” celebrations. These Coconut Cookies landed in our rotation because they felt exotic without acting needy — a simple swap of extracts and a handful of coconut flakes rewired an ordinary cookie into something slightly tropical. Think of them as the love child of a macaroon and your favorite brown-sugar cookie: rustic, a little sandy from the coconut, and wildly comforting.

Ingredients — what each one brings to the party

Here’s the ingredient list with mini-descriptions so you understand why each item matters (and what you can swap):

  • Unsalted butter (1 cup, softened) — the soul of the cookie. Use real butter for the best flavor. Butter gives those buttery cookies vibes.
  • Granulated sugar (1 cup) — structure and sweetness.
  • Light brown sugar (½ cup, packed) — adds moisture and caramel notes.
  • Eggs (2 large) — bind the dough and add lift.
  • Vanilla extract (1 tsp) — rounds out flavors.
  • Coconut extract (1 tsp) — optional but it punches up the coconut identity. If you don’t have it, add ½ tsp extra vanilla.
  • All-purpose flour (2 ¾ cups) — the body. Spoon & level it for accuracy.
  • Baking soda (1 tsp) + cream of tartar (1 tsp) — create that cookie rise and chew.
  • Sea salt (½ tsp) — balances sweetness.
  • Sweetened coconut flakes (1½ cups, divided) — texture, caramelization, and that coconut declaration. Toast half before adding for extra depth.

This is a classic Cookie Recipes Homemade setup — nothing fussy, everything delicious.

Plate of golden, chewy coconut cookies stacked and sprinkled with flakes — Cookies Recette, also brilliant as Cookie Bar Recipes.Pin

How to make them — step-by-step (simple and reliable)

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment.
  2. Cream the butter and sugars: In a stand mixer or with a hand mixer, beat softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until pale and fluffy — about 2 minutes on medium. This aeration helps give tenderness.
  3. Add liquids: Mix in vanilla and coconut extracts, then add eggs one at a time, beating a bit after each addition. Scrape down the bowl as needed.
  4. Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and sea salt.
  5. Mix dry into wet: Add dry mix gradually to the butter mixture on low speed, until evenly combined. Don’t overmix — stop as soon as the flour disappears.
  6. Stir in coconut: Fold in most of the coconut flakes, reserving about ⅓ cup for sprinkling on top of the cookie mounds.
  7. Scoop: Using a 2-tablespoon scoop or spoon, drop dough balls 2 inches apart on prepared sheets. Press them slightly flat if you want a more even cookie. Sprinkle the reserved coconut on top.
  8. Bake 9–10 minutes until edges are golden brown and the tops show light toasting. Underbake by a minute for extra chew.
  9. Cool: Transfer to a rack and let cool completely before storing.

That’s it. Classic, delicious cookie recipes energy.

Pro tips for perfect results (these actually matter)

  • Use room-temperature eggs and butter — they incorporate more evenly, giving better texture.
  • Spoon-and-level your flour — packed flour equals dense cookies. Seriously, spoon it in.
  • Toast the coconut briefly in a dry skillet until fragrant for richer flavor. Bold tip: Toasted coconut deepens the flavor and adds color.
  • Don’t overbake — remove when the centers look just set. They’ll finish cooking on the sheet. Underbake slightly for chewiness.
  • Chill if you want thicker cookies — a 15–30 minute chill firms the dough and helps cookies spread less.
  • Swap white sugar for part coconut sugar for a slightly caramel, deeper flavor. FYI, it changes color and taste.
  • Make them into bars: press dough into an 8×8 pan, bake 18–22 minutes, cool, and cut into squares — instant cookie bar recipes.

Variations to try (because creativity is allowed)

  • Chocolate Chip Coconut Cookies: Stir in ¾ cup dark chocolate chips.
  • Coconut-Almond: Add ½ cup slivered almonds and a pinch of almond extract.
  • Tropical twist: Fold in ½ cup dried pineapple bits (chopped) and macadamia nuts.
  • Vegan version: Use vegan butter, flax eggs (2 tbsp flax + 6 tbsp water), and ensure coconut is vegan-labeled.
  • Salted-caramel coconut: Drizzle with warm salted caramel and sprinkle flaky sea salt.
    These keep the cookies within the Delicious Cookie Recipes family while giving them new personalities.

Best ways to serve

  • Warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream — instant dessert.
  • Pack in lunchboxes for a tropical surprise.
  • Serve on a cookie platter with espresso or iced tea.
  • Crumble over yogurt or smoothie bowls for texture (just sayin’).

If you want a party trick: stack two cookies with a thin layer of dulce de leche or Nutella for a gooey sandwich.

Storage & freezing — keep that chew

  • Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temp for up to 5 days. Layer with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  • Freeze unbaked dough scoops on a sheet tray; transfer to a bag. Bake from frozen, adding 1–2 minutes to the time.
  • Freeze baked cookies up to 3 months — thaw at room temp.
    Quick storage tip: If they dry out, pop a slice of bread in the container for 24 hours and the moisture will return (magic).

Plate of golden, chewy coconut cookies stacked and sprinkled with flakes — Cookies Recette, also brilliant as Cookie Bar Recipes.Pin

FAQ — quick answers to the common questions

Can I use unsweetened coconut?

Yes, but sweetened coconut browns and caramelizes nicely. Use unsweetened if you want less sugar.

Will these be too coconut-forward?

If you love coconut — yes. If you’re coconut-curious, reduce the flakes to 1 cup and skip the coconut extract.

My cookies spread too thin — help!

Chilling the dough helps. Also check your flour measurement — add a tablespoon if dough is too loose.

Can I double this recipe?

Absolutely. Mix in a larger bowl and bake on multiple sheets in shifts.

Any tips for crisp edges but chewy centers?

Bake at 350°F and remove as soon as edges brown — this gets you that lovely contrast.

How these compare to other cookie styles

These cookies sit between a macaroon (heavily coconut) and a brown-sugar cookie (buttery chew). They’re not as crisp as a biscotti, nor as cakey as a drop cookie with too much flour. If you love buttery cookies and coconut recipes, this is the perfect hybrid — rich, aromatic, and with serious textural play.

Turn them into a recipe series (ideas!)

  • Weeknight cookies: a rotating riff (chocolate, almond, lime).
  • Holiday coconut: swap extracts for orange and add candied peel for a festive vibe.
  • Cookie bars: bake in a sheet pan for grab-and-go cookie bar recipes.

If you run a blog or social feed, post the base cookie then a month of micro-variations. People love remix content.

Final thoughts (short & sweet)

These Coconut Cookies are a brilliant baseline recipe — easy to make, dependable, and endlessly adaptable. Whether you call them part of your cookie recipes homemade roster or feature them as a showpiece of coconut cookies recipes, they deliver every time. Make a batch today; freeze half for later. Share the rest.

If you bake them, tag me — I want to see your toasted coconut crowns and creative mix-ins. Happy baking, and may your kitchen always smell of butter and toasted coconut.

Follow me on Pinterest for daily new recipes.

Plate of golden, chewy coconut cookies stacked and sprinkled with flakes — Cookies Recette, also brilliant as Cookie Bar Recipes.Pin

Print
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Plate of golden, chewy coconut cookies stacked and sprinkled with flakes — Cookies Recette, also brilliant as Cookie Bar Recipes.

Irresistible Chewy Coconut Cookies — Easy Cookie Recipes for Coconut Lovers

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  • Author: Jennifer
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x
  • Category: Dessert

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temp
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
  • 2 large eggs, warmed to room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon coconut extract (optional but tasty)
  • 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
  • ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1½ cups sweetened shredded coconut, divided (reserve about ⅓ cup for topping)


Instructions

  1. Set the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking trays with parchment or silicone liners.
  2. In a mixing bowl, cream the softened butter with both sugars until the mixture looks pale and airy — about 2 minutes with a mixer (or a little longer by hand).
  3. Add the vanilla and coconut extracts, then beat in the eggs one at a time until everything is smooth and combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
  4. Whisk together the flour, baking soda, cream of tartar, and salt in a separate bowl.
  5. Slowly fold the dry mix into the butter mixture on low speed (or gradually stir by hand) until no streaks of flour remain.
  6. Fold in most of the shredded coconut, saving roughly ⅓ cup for sprinkling on top of the dough mounds.
  7. Scoop heaping 2-tablespoon portions of dough onto the prepared pans, leaving about 2 inches between each. Press the reserved coconut onto the tops.
  8. Bake for 9–10 minutes, until the edges turn lightly golden and the coconut on top looks toasted. The centers should still be soft.
  9. Remove from the oven and transfer cookies to a rack to cool completely — they’ll firm up as they rest.

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