Coconut Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe

Easy Coconut Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe: Dreamy Sweet Bites

Whipping up delectable coconut cream cheese cookies promises a delightful adventure in your kitchen.

Soft, pillowy textures dance with rich flavors that melt seamlessly on your tongue.

Creamy ingredients blend into a magical symphony of sweetness and comfort.

Each bite carries the warmth of freshly baked memories and childhood nostalgia.

Subtle coconut notes weave through the recipe, creating an irresistible aroma that fills every corner.

Delicate cream cheese adds a luxurious depth to these irresistible treats.

Trust me, these cookies will become your new favorite indulgence.

You won’t be able to resist making them again and again.

  • Tropical Paradise Cookies: Replace toasted coconut with macadamia nuts and add a splash of rum extract for a Hawaiian-inspired flavor profile.
  • Chocolate Lover's Dream: Mix in dark chocolate chips and sprinkle cocoa-dusted toasted coconut on top for an indulgent chocolate-coconut combination.
  • Spiced Island Cookies: Incorporate ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of cardamom into the dough for a warm, aromatic Caribbean-style cookie experience.
  • Citrus Coconut Burst: Zest orange or lime into the dough and add white chocolate chips to create a bright, refreshing tropical cookie variation.

Great Pairings With Coconut Cookies and Milk

Pair Sweet Coconut Cream Cheese Cookies with Complementary Flavors:
  • Tropical Beverage Blast: Serve alongside a chilled piña colada or coconut water to enhance the tropical coconut notes and create a refreshing flavor harmony.
  • Coffee Companion Delight: Match with a smooth medium-roast coffee or creamy latte, where the rich, warm beverage balances the sweet cookie's richness and highlights its toasted coconut undertones.
  • Dessert Wine Magic: Choose a light dessert wine like Moscato or late-harvest Riesling, which will beautifully complement the cookie's sweetness and creamy texture without overwhelming its delicate flavors.
  • Afternoon Tea Pairing: Brew a delicate white or green tea that will cleanse the palate and provide a subtle backdrop to the cookie's complex coconut and cream cheese profile.

Store Coconut Cookies Without Losing Softness

Store cooled cookies in an airtight container lined with parchment paper, separating layers to prevent sticking. Keep refrigerated for up to 5 days, maintaining their soft texture and rich flavor.

Pack cookies in a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag, placing wax paper between layers. Freeze for up to 3 months, ensuring maximum freshness and taste preservation.

Remove frozen cookies from the freezer and let them sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving. Avoid microwaving to prevent texture loss.

Warm cookies in a preheated oven at 300F for 3-5 minutes to restore their just-baked warmth and crispness, creating a delightful treat that tastes freshly made.

FAQs

  • Why do I need to toast the coconut?

Toasting brings out a deeper, nuttier flavor and adds a delicious crunch to the cookies, enhancing their overall taste and texture.

  • Can I skip refrigerating the dough overnight?

No, chilling the dough is crucial. It helps prevent spreading and allows the flavors to meld together, resulting in a more developed and richer cookie.

  • How do I know when the cookies are perfectly baked?

Look for lightly golden edges and a set appearance. The centers might seem slightly soft, but they’ll continue to firm up as they cool on the baking sheet.

  • What if my cream cheese isn't softened?

Softened cream cheese blends more smoothly. If it’s too cold, microwave it for 10-15 seconds or let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before mixing.

Coconut Cookies That Stay Chewy and Sweet

  • Boost Flavor Profile: Toasting coconut elevates the cookie's taste, creating a rich, nutty depth that transforms ordinary cookies into an extraordinary treat.
  • Simplify Baking Process: Using basic pantry ingredients and straightforward mixing technique makes these cookies accessible for bakers of all skill levels, from beginners to seasoned pros.
  • Customize with Ease: Flexible recipe allows for creative variations like adding chocolate chips, nuts, or drizzling with caramel to match personal preferences and make the cookies uniquely yours.
  • Perfect for Sharing: Soft, indulgent texture and cream cheese base create a crowd-pleasing dessert ideal for potlucks, family gatherings, or casual weekend treats that everyone will love.

What’s Used in Coconut Cream Cheese Cookies

For the Base:
  • All-Purpose Flour: A key ingredient that provides structure and texture to the cookie.
  • Baking Soda: Helps the cookies rise and spread during baking.
  • Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the cookies.
For the Fats:
  • Butter: Adds rich flavor and helps create a tender cookie texture.
  • Cream Cheese: Provides a tangy flavor and creamy consistency to the cookies.
For the Sweeteners and Flavor Enhancers:
  • Brown Sugar, Granulated Sugar: Bring sweetness and help create a soft, chewy cookie texture.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds a classic sweet flavor to the cookies.
For the Mix-In:
  • Coconut: Adds a tropical flavor and provides a delightful crunch and texture to the cookies.

How to Make These Coconut Cookies Easily

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Preheat your oven to a cozy 325F. Spread coconut evenly on a baking sheet, ready for a golden transformation.

Step 2: Create Coconut Magic

Stir the coconut every 5 minutes during toasting. Watch for a light brown color that signals perfect doneness.

Let the coconut cool down completely after removing from the oven.

Step 3: Blend Dry Ingredients

Grab a mixing bowl and whisk together:
  • Flour
  • Baking soda
  • Salt

Set this delightful mixture aside for later.

Step 4: Whip Up Creamy Goodness

In another bowl, combine:
  • Melted butter
  • Softened cream cheese
Mix until smooth and dreamy. Add:
  • Brown sugar
  • Granulated sugar
  • Vanilla extract

Blend until everything looks wonderfully combined.

Step 5: Marry The Mixtures

Slowly fold dry ingredients into the creamy wet mixture. Mix gently until just combined.

Fold in the cooled toasted coconut with love.

Step 6: Chill And Relax

Cover the dough and let it rest in the refrigerator overnight.

This helps develop rich, deep flavors.

Step 7: Bake To Perfection

Preheat oven to 350F.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Drop spoonfuls of chilled dough onto the sheet.

Bake for 12-14 minutes until edges turn golden and look set.

Step 8: Cool And Celebrate

Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for a few minutes.

Transfer to a wire rack and let them cool completely. Enjoy your tropical coconut cream cheese cookies!

Tips to Get Perfect Cream Cheese Cookies

  • Stir frequently during toasting to prevent burning and ensure even, golden-brown color without scorching.
  • Refrigerating overnight helps develop deeper flavors and prevents cookies from spreading too much during baking.
  • Use exact measurements for flour and sugars to maintain the perfect cookie texture and consistency.
  • Watch cookies closely during the last few minutes to achieve a soft, chewy center with lightly crisp edges.
  • Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet briefly before transferring to prevent breaking, ensuring intact, beautiful cookies.
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Coconut Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe

Coconut Cream Cheese Cookies Recipe


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4.6 from 36 reviews

  • Total Time: 42 minutes
  • Yield: 24 1x

Description

Indulgent Coconut Cream Cheese Cookies promise a delightful blend of creamy richness and tropical sweetness. Crumbly, buttery edges meet a luscious center that melts in your mouth, inviting pure cookie bliss.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 56 ounces (1.588 kilograms) cream cheese, softened
  • 2 cups (240 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 3 tablespoons (22.5 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups (170 grams) toasted coconut
  • 12 tablespoons (170 grams) unsalted butter, melted & cooled

Sugars:

  • 1 cup (220 grams) packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup (100 grams) granulated sugar

Spices and Seasonings:

  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Prepare a baking sheet and toast shredded coconut at 325F (165C) for 10-20 minutes, stirring periodically until achieving a light golden hue. Allow coconut to cool completely after removing from oven.
  2. Combine flour, baking soda, and salt in a mixing bowl, whisking thoroughly to ensure even distribution of dry ingredients.
  3. In a separate large bowl, blend melted butter and softened cream cheese until smooth and uniform in texture.
  4. Incorporate brown sugar, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract into the butter-cream cheese mixture, mixing until achieving a consistent, creamy consistency.
  5. Gradually fold dry ingredient mixture into wet ingredients, stirring minimally to prevent overmixing. Gently fold in cooled toasted coconut.
  6. Seal dough in container and refrigerate overnight to enhance flavor development and improve cookie texture.
  7. Preheat oven to 350F (175C) and line baking sheet with parchment paper.
  8. Scoop chilled dough onto prepared baking sheet, spacing cookies evenly to allow proper spreading during baking.
  9. Bake for 12-14 minutes until cookie edges turn lightly golden and centers appear set.
  10. Remove from oven and let cookies rest on baking sheet for several minutes before transferring to wire rack for complete cooling. Serve and enjoy.

Notes

  • Toasting coconut enhances its nutty flavor and provides a delightful crunch, transforming ordinary cookies into a gourmet treat.
  • Chilling the dough overnight allows flavors to meld and prevents excessive spreading, resulting in perfectly shaped cookies with rich, developed taste.
  • For gluten-free options, substitute all-purpose flour with almond or coconut flour, ensuring the same delectable texture and taste.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to maintain their soft, tender texture.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 24
  • Calories: 215 kcal
  • Sugar: 12 g
  • Sodium: 130 mg
  • Fat: 14 g
  • Saturated Fat: 8 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.3 g
  • Carbohydrates: 20 g
  • Fiber: 1.2 g
  • Protein: 3.5 g
  • Cholesterol: 45 mg
Clara Bennett

Clara Bennett

Contributing Recipe Developer & Food Writer

Expertise

Baking and Pastry Development, Gluten-Free and Allergy-Friendly Recipe Creation, Culinary Storytelling and Food Journalism, Recipe Testing and Standardization, Southern Comfort Foods and Modern Twists

Education

Sullivan University – National Center for Hospitality Studies
Associate Degree in Culinary Arts

Focus: Baking and Pastry Arts, Recipe Testing, and Culinary Journalism.

Clara specialized in crafting desserts that blend classic Southern comfort with modern techniques, while developing strong writing skills to tell the story behind every dish.

Lane Community College (Certificate Program)
Certificate in Food Writing and Photography

Focus: Culinary storytelling, recipe formatting, food styling, and visual presentation.


Clara’s love of baking started young, powered by homemade pies, biscuits, and stories passed around the family table.
After earning her degree at Sullivan University and a food writing certificate at Lane Community College, she turned her passion into a craft: sharing recipes that are simple, soulful, and always full of heart.
She’s big on bold flavors, flexible ideas, and creating sweets that fit any table (yes, even if you’re gluten-free). When she’s not baking, you’ll find her wandering farmers’ markets, styling food for the next photo shoot, or working on her ever-growing recipe journal.

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