Hawaiian Pineapple Coconut Cookies Recipe for Beginners

Tropical Hawaiian pineapple coconut cookies transport you to a sun-drenched paradise with their vibrant island essence.

Sweet, tangy notes dance across your palate, evoking memories of warm coastal breezes.

Delicate textures blend creamy coconut with bright pineapple in a harmonious celebration of flavor.

These cookies capture the spirit of relaxation and joy, infusing each bite with unexpected culinary magic.

Soft, golden rounds promise a delightful escape from ordinary dessert experiences.

Crisp edges and tender centers create a perfect balance of tropical satisfaction.

Each morsel represents a miniature vacation, whisking you away to distant sandy shores.

Why Hawaiian Pineapple Coconut Cookies Are a Taste of the Tropics

• Burst with Tropical Flavors: These cookies pack a delightful punch of pineapple and coconut, transporting your taste buds to a sunny Hawaiian beach with every bite.
• Super Simple Baking Adventure: Perfect for beginner bakers, this recipe requires minimal ingredients and basic mixing techniques, making it an easy and fun cooking experience.
• Quick Crowd-Pleaser Dessert: Ready in under 30 minutes, these cookies are ideal for last-minute gatherings, potlucks, or unexpected sweet cravings that need instant satisfaction.
• Versatile Texture Delight: Enjoy a magical combination of soft, chewy centers with lightly crisp edges, complemented by the delicate crunch of sprinkled coconut on top.

Ingredients That Bring Hawaiian Pineapple Coconut Cookies to Life

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and texture for the cookie base, choose unbleached flour for best results.
• Baking Powder: Helps cookies rise and become light and fluffy, ensure it's fresh for maximum leavening.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness of the cookies.

• Shortening: Creates a tender and soft cookie texture, provides rich mouthfeel.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with cookie browning, granulated white sugar works best.
• Egg: Binds ingredients together and adds moisture to the cookie dough.
• Vanilla Extract, Coconut Extract: Provides deep flavor complexity and aromatic notes.
• Crushed Pineapple: Adds natural sweetness and moisture to the cookie, drain excess liquid before using.

• Finely Chopped Coconut: Adds tropical texture and crunch to the cookie's surface, use unsweetened shredded coconut for best results.

How to Bake Hawaiian Pineapple Coconut Cookies with Ease

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Preheat the oven to 325°F (160°C) to create the perfect baking environment for your tropical treats.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Salt

Set the dry ingredient mixture aside for later use.

Step 3: Cream Wet Ingredients

• Shortening
• Sugar
• Vanilla extract
• Almond extract

Mix until the ingredients create a smooth, creamy texture.

Step 4: Add Egg

Beat in the egg until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.

Step 5: Combine Ingredients

Gently fold in the crushed pineapple and the previously prepared flour mixture. Stir until everything is well combined.

Step 6: Prepare Baking Surface

Place the cookie dough by small spoonfuls onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Space the drops about 3 inches apart to allow room for spreading.

Step 7: Sprinkle Coconut Topping

Generously scatter finely chopped coconut over the top of each cookie dough drop.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Slide the cookie sheet into the preheated oven and bake for 18-20 minutes. Look for lightly browned edges as a sign of doneness.

Step 9: Cool and Serve

Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 2 minutes. Carefully transfer them to a wire cooling rack and allow them to cool completely before enjoying.

Pro Tips for Better Hawaiian Pineapple Coconut Cookies

• Measure Precisely: Use level measuring cups and spoons to ensure accurate ingredient proportions for perfectly textured cookies.
• Chill Dough Smartly: Refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent spreading and maintain a thick, chewy cookie shape.
• Coconut Selection: Choose unsweetened, finely shredded coconut for the best texture and to control the overall sweetness of the cookies.
• Moisture Management: Drain pineapple thoroughly to prevent excess liquid from making the cookies too soft or soggy.
• Even Sizing: Use a small cookie scoop or tablespoon to create uniform cookie sizes, ensuring consistent baking and professional-looking results.

How to Store Hawaiian Pineapple Coconut Cookies the Smart Way

• Refrigerate: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container lined with parchment paper, separating layers to prevent sticking. Will stay fresh for up to 5 days.
• Freeze: Carefully place cookies in a freezer-safe container with wax paper between layers. Cookies can be frozen for 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
• Reheat: Warm cookies briefly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or place in a preheated oven at 300°F for 3-4 minutes to restore their soft, fresh-baked texture and enhance the coconut and pineapple flavors.

What to Pair with Hawaiian Pineapple Coconut Cookies

• Tropical Beverage Companion: Pair these cookies with a chilled Mai Tai cocktail or a refreshing pineapple-coconut smoothie to enhance the tropical flavor profile.
• Complementary Dessert Match: Serve alongside vanilla bean ice cream or a light passion fruit sorbet to balance the cookies' sweet and tangy notes.
• Afternoon Tea Partner: Enjoy with a warm cup of green tea or a light coconut-infused herbal tea that echoes the cookie's tropical ingredients.
• Breakfast Sidekick: Create a morning treat by pairing these cookies with a creamy coconut yogurt or a tropical fruit parfait for a delightful start to the day.

Sweet Variations of Hawaiian Pineapple Coconut Cookies to Try

• Tropical Macadamia Crunch: Replace coconut with chopped macadamia nuts for a rich, buttery Hawaiian-inspired texture that adds extra crunch to the cookies.
• Rum-Infused Island Cookies: Add 1-2 tablespoons of dark rum to the batter for an authentic tropical flavor that brings warmth and depth to the traditional recipe.
• Ginger Pineapple Blast: Mix in 1 teaspoon of ground ginger to the dry ingredients for a spicy kick that complements the sweet pineapple and creates a more complex flavor profile.
• Coconut Lime Zest Cookies: Incorporate fresh lime zest into the batter and sprinkle additional toasted coconut on top for a bright, citrusy enhancement that elevates the tropical theme.

Hawaiian Pineapple Coconut Cookies Recipe

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4.8 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Sweet Hawaiian pineapple coconut cookies deliver tropical paradise in each bite. Crumbly, buttery cookies blend island-inspired ingredients for a delightful treat that transports you to sun-drenched beaches with minimal effort.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups (480 milliliters) all-purpose flour
• 1 egg
• ¾ cup (180 milliliters) crushed pineapple, well drained
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) shredded coconut, finely chopped
• 1 ¼ cups (300 milliliters) sugar

Binding and Leavening Ingredients:

• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt

Flavor and Fat Ingredients:

• ⅔ cup (160 milliliters) shortening
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon imitation almond extract

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Instructions

1. Prepare a clean workspace and gather all necessary baking tools, ensuring a smooth cookie-making process.
2. Combine dry ingredients like flour, baking powder, and salt in a mixing bowl, creating a uniform base for the cookie dough.
3. In a separate large bowl, whip shortening, sugar, and flavor extracts using an electric mixer until the mixture becomes light and creamy.
4. Incorporate the egg into the creamy mixture, beating until the texture becomes fluffy and well-integrated.
5. Gently fold in the crushed pineapple, mixing thoroughly to distribute the fruit evenly throughout the dough.
6. Gradually add the prepared flour mixture, stirring until a consistent cookie dough forms without overmixing.
7. Preheat the oven to 325°F, allowing it to reach the optimal temperature for baking.
8. Using a teaspoon, drop small portions of dough onto an ungreased cookie sheet, maintaining approximately 3 inches of space between each cookie.
9. Generously sprinkle finely chopped coconut over the top of each cookie dough portion, ensuring even coverage.
10. Place the cookie sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 18-20 minutes, watching for light golden-brown edges as a sign of doneness.
11. Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to rest on the baking sheet for 2 minutes to set.
12. Transfer the cookies to a wire cooling rack, letting them cool completely before serving or storing.

Notes

• Tropical Flavor Burst: These cookies pack a delightful punch of pineapple and coconut, transporting your taste buds to a sunny Hawaiian beach with every bite.
• Gentle Baking Technique: Low-temperature baking at 325°F ensures the cookies remain soft, preventing over-browning and maintaining a delicate texture.
• Coconut Topping Trick: Sprinkling finely chopped coconut on top creates a beautiful golden crust and adds a satisfying crunch to each cookie.
• Spacing Matters: Placing cookie dough 3 inches apart allows proper spreading and ensures even baking without cookies merging together.
• Cooling Wisdom: Letting cookies rest on the baking sheet for 2 minutes before transferring helps them set and prevents potential crumbling.
• Make-Ahead Magic: These cookies can be stored in an airtight container for up to 5 days, making them perfect for preparing in advance.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Hawaiian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 146
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 68 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 1.5 g
• Cholesterol: 10 mg