At my housewarming party, I needed to bake something sweet, something special, most importantly, something easy. While unpacking and figuring out what to bake, I spotted a large stash of shredded coconut and pecans in the snack box. Guess what happened next? I went with my coconut pecan cookie recipe that ticked every box and totally crushed it at the party!
So, what made coconut pecan cookies a party special?
Well, for starters, they are super easy to make when you are juggling a million other things!
Made with simple pantry staples, coconut pecan cookies fill the house with a warm, cozy aroma that smells sweet, toasty, and incredibly welcoming. The shredded coconut with the tropical touch and the buttery pecans with their nutty crunch truly made my celebration of new beginnings even more special.
While most sugar cookies are simple and sweet, these coconut pecan cookies have a festive touch for parties, yet still carry that homemade vibe that’s just right for a cozy afternoon treat!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple ingredients and a straightforward recipe.
- Bursting with a natural nutty flavor.
- Chewy and crispy at the same time!
- Tropical coconut goodness in every bite.
- Pairs perfectly with afternoon tea or coffee.
Variations That You’ll Absolutely Love!
The classics are always good- no doubt. But you know what’s even better? The joy of making a recipe uniquely yours! Here are some fun variations of coconut pecan cookies for you to try:
Toasty Delight
Upgrade your plain coconut to its toasted version for a richer and nuttier flavor! Simply spread the coconut in a baking tray and bake it in the oven for 5 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Choco and Coco Fusion
Introduce a delicious chocolaty richness to the cookies by folding in ½ cup of chocolate chips. The chocolate combines with the sweet coconut and brings out a perfectly balanced flavor in every bite.
Caramel Swirl
Make your cookies a little bit sweeter with gooey caramel! Add a spoonful of caramel sauce over each dough ball and wait until it melts into a delicious swirl that pairs perfectly with coconut and pecans.
Double Trouble
Love chocolates a bit too much? Let’s double the dose by stirring cocoa powder into the dough and folding in plenty of chocolate chips for a rich, gooey finish!
Sweet and Salty
Add some saltiness(and a little sassiness!) to your sweet cookies with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt. The salt brings out the flavor while balancing the sweetness for perfectly delicious bites.
Eggless Crunchies
No eggs? No problem! Swap eggs with plain yogurt or curd for moist, soft cookies that are just as delicious.
Vegan Treats
For a vegan version, use the eggless recipe with plant-based butter for delicious dairy-free cookies.
Tips For Perfect Coconut Pecan Cookies
Want to nail the coconut pecan cookies on your first try? With these handy tips, you will bake them like a pro!
- Use room temperature egg and butter for easy mixing and super soft cookies every time.
- For a crunchy texture and deeper flavor, toast the pecans and coconut before adding them to the dough.
- Cookies spreading too much while baking? Fix this problem by simply chilling the dough for 30 minutes to help it hold its shape.
- For a uniform baking experience, use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to portion the dough evenly.
- Once the dry ingredients are added, mix lightly to keep the cookies soft and tender.
- Want extra nuttiness? Replace half of the all-purpose flour with almond flour and get cookies that are super moist, tender, and totally nuttylicious!
- Coconut fan instead? Swap out an egg or a tablespoon of butter for a splash of coconut milk- highly recommended for flavor-packed cookies!
Coconut Pecan Cookies Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup / 115 g Butter (room temperature)
- ½ cup / 110 g Brown Sugar
- ⅓ cup / 67 g Granulated Sugar
- 1 large Egg (room temperature)
- 1 tsp / 5 ml Vanilla Essence
- 1 and ½ / 180 g All-Purpose Flour
- ½ tsp / 2 g Baking Soda
- ½ tsp / 1 g Cinnamon
- ¾ cup / 60 g Shredded Coconut
- ¾ cup / 82 g toasted chopped pecans
Instructions
Preheat and Prep For Baking
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 175 degrees Celsius.
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with butter to prevent sticking.
Cream The Butter and Sugar
- In a large mixing bowl, add butter, brown sugar, and the granulated sugar.
- Use a stand or hand mixer to beat the mixture on medium-high speed for 1-2 minutes or until it becomes light and fluffy.
Add Egg, Vanilla, and Dry Ingredients
- Crack an egg and add vanilla essence to the mix, and mix until well combined.
- Sift in all-purpose flour, baking soda, and cinnamon into the wet mixture. Fold in until just combined.
- Add the shredded coconut and chopped pecans. Stir in with a spoon or spatula until evenly mixed.
- Cover the dough and transfer it to the refrigerator to chill for 30 minutes before baking.
Scoop and Place The Cookies
- Scoop out the cookie dough using a medium scoop.
- Place the cookie balls onto the prepared baking sheet, making sure they are evenly spread out.
Bake, Cool, and Serve
- Bake the coconut pecan cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are slightly golden.
- Once baked, remove the tray from the oven and let the cookies rest on the tray for 5-10 minutes.
- Transfer the cookies to a cooling rack and allow them to come to room temperature.
- Take a bite and enjoy the toasty coconut, warm cinnamon, and buttery pecans in every mouthful!
My housewarming party was pulled off super easily and quickly, thanks to this simple, soft and chewy pecan coconut cookies recipe. These coconut pecan cookies tasted way better than your average snacks and looked so good that everyone kept sneaking bites!
You know what made it even better?
I actually packed some for myself to enjoy later, and thank goodness, as the leftovers were just crumbs. Those cookies went perfectly with my morning coffee and stayed fresh all week- a much-needed treat that gave me a break during the busy post-party days!
Recipe FAQs
Can I Use Other Nut Varieties Instead Of Pecans?
Yes, absolutely. You can use almonds, walnuts, or macadamia nuts to add your favorite nutty flavor to the cookies.
What Spices Go Well In Coconut Pecan Cookies?
Warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves are suitable for this coconut pecan cookie recipe.
Why Are My Cookies Dry and Crumbly?
Your cookies may seem dry if they were overbaked or if too much flour was added to the dough. Measure correctly and bake just until the edges turn golden for the perfect texture.
Can I Prepare The Coconut Cookie Dough In Advance?
Yes, you can prepare the dough in advance and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can freeze the dough for up to 3 months.
Why Do My Cookies Taste Chewy Instead Of Crispy?
For a crispier texture, flatten the dough balls before baking and bake them a bit longer. That will help get that perfect crunch!
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