Coconut Meltaway Cookies Recipe

Introduction

Coconut Meltaway Cookies are delicate, buttery treats with a subtle coconut flavor and a sweet, creamy icing topped with toasted coconut. Perfect for a light snack or a tea-time indulgence, these cookies melt in your mouth with every bite.

A stack of soft, round cookies sits on a small white plate set on a white marbled surface. Each cookie has two layers: a light beige, slightly textured cookie base, and on top, a smooth white icing layer spread evenly. The icing is generously sprinkled with toasted shredded coconut, which is light golden and white, adding a rough texture on the surface. Scattered toasted coconut flakes are visible around the plate. In the background, there is a blurred white egg carton and a tall glass jar filled with more of the same cookies. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon coconut extract
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tablespoon coconut milk, or water
  • 1 cup toasted shredded coconut

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat and set it aside.
  2. Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set this mixture aside.
  3. Step 3: Using a stand mixer, beat the butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add the egg and coconut extract, mixing until fully combined.
  4. Step 4: Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture in ½ cup increments, mixing well after each addition until the dough is fully combined.
  5. Step 5: Scoop about 1 tablespoon of dough and roll it into a small ball. Flatten each ball gently into a disk and place them spaced apart on the prepared baking sheet.
  6. Step 6: Bake the cookies for 8 minutes. They will not appear browned but are cooked through.
  7. Step 7: Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
  8. Step 8: To make the icing, whisk together powdered sugar and coconut milk (or water) until smooth. For a stronger coconut flavor, add 1 teaspoon coconut extract if desired.
  9. Step 9: Using a spoon, spread the icing on the top of each cooled cookie. Immediately sprinkle toasted shredded coconut over the icing and let it set for about 10 minutes, or until hardened.
  10. Step 10: Serve the cookies right away or store them in an airtight container.

Tips & Variations

  • For extra coconut flavor, add a bit more coconut extract to the dough or icing according to your taste.
  • Use fresh toasted coconut flakes instead of shredded for added texture and flavor.
  • To make these cookies gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend.
  • If you prefer a softer icing, reduce the powdered sugar slightly or add more coconut milk.

Storage

Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Keep them away from heat or direct sunlight to preserve their texture and flavor. If you want to keep them longer, freeze the cookies (without icing) in a sealed container for up to 2 months and ice them after thawing. Reheat the iced cookies gently at room temperature before serving, if desired.

How to Serve

A close-up of a white plate filled with round soft sugar cookies, each topped with a smooth layer of white icing and sprinkled with light golden toasted coconut shreds, some coconut flakes scattered on the white marbled surface around the plate. The cookies show a delicate crumb texture, stacked slightly on each other, with the focus on the cookie in front. In the background, blurred white eggs in a white carton and a jar filled with toasted coconut flakes create a cozy, clean kitchen atmosphere. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular milk instead of coconut milk for the icing?

Yes, you can substitute regular milk or even water for the coconut milk in the icing. The texture will remain fine, though the coconut flavor will be milder.

Why do the cookies look underbaked when I take them out of the oven?

These cookies are delicate and pale by design. They will appear soft and slightly underbaked but will firm up as they cool. Removing them at 8 minutes ensures a tender melt-in-your-mouth texture rather than a crunchy cookie.

Print

Coconut Meltaway Cookies Recipe

Delight in these Coconut Meltaway Cookies, featuring a tender, buttery crumb infused with coconut extract and topped with a smooth coconut icing and toasted shredded coconut. Perfectly soft and melt-in-your-mouth, these cookies combine the richness of butter with the tropical essence of coconut for an irresistible treat.

  • Author: Isla
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 8 minutes
  • Total Time: 23 minutes
  • Yield: Approximately 24 cookies 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

Coconut Cookies

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon coconut extract

Icing

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tablespoon coconut milk, or water
  • 1 cup toasted shredded coconut

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt until well combined. Set aside temporarily.
  3. Cream Butter and Sugar: Using a stand mixer, beat the room temperature unsalted butter and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which usually takes about 2-3 minutes.
  4. Add Egg and Flavoring: Incorporate the large egg and coconut extract into the butter and sugar mixture, mixing until everything is fully combined.
  5. Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients in half-cup increments, mixing thoroughly after each addition until you have a smooth dough with no visible flour.
  6. Shape Cookies: Roll approximately 1 tablespoon of dough into small balls, then flatten each into a disk shape. Place these evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet.
  7. Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8 minutes. Note that the cookies will not appear browned or fully cooked on top but are done baking at this stage.
  8. Cool: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and allow the cookies to rest on it for 5 minutes. Then transfer each cookie to a wire rack to cool completely before icing.
  9. Prepare Icing: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and coconut milk until smooth. For a stronger coconut flavor, optionally add 1 teaspoon of coconut extract to this mixture.
  10. Ice and Garnish: Spoon the icing onto the top of each cooled cookie and swiftly sprinkle with toasted shredded coconut. Allow the icing to set for about 10 minutes until hardened.
  11. Serve or Store: Serve these delicious coconut meltaway cookies immediately, or store them in an airtight container for up to 5 days to maintain freshness.

Notes

  • Do not overbake the cookies; they should appear pale when done.
  • Ensure butter is at room temperature for easier mixing and better texture.
  • To toast shredded coconut, spread it on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently until golden brown.
  • The icing sets better and holds its shape if the cookies are completely cool before applying.
  • For dairy-free variation, substitute butter with a plant-based butter and use coconut milk for icing.

Keywords: Coconut cookies, meltaway cookies, coconut extract cookies, coconut icing, toasted coconut dessert

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