Sweet Sunshine: Zesty Lemon Coconut Cookies Recipe

Soft, buttery cookies with a zesty lemon coconut delight recipe dance on the edge of sweet and tangy perfection.

Tropical aromas waft through the kitchen as delicate ingredients come together.

Each bite promises a burst of sunshine-inspired flavor that melts effortlessly on your tongue.

The combination of bright citrus and rich coconut creates a harmony of textures and tastes.

These cookies are more than just a dessert – they’re a culinary escape to a sunny paradise.

Simple to make and impossible to resist, they’ll become your new favorite treat for any occasion.

Dive into this delightful recipe and let your taste buds embark on a delicious adventure.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 27 minutes

Calories: 160 kcal

Servings: 25

Ingredients in Lemon Coconut Cookies

• Butter: Provides rich, smooth foundation that creates tender cookie texture.
• Cream Cheese: Adds luxurious tangy softness and helps cookies stay moist.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps create golden, crisp cookie edges.

• Egg: Binds ingredients and gives structural support to cookies.
• Lemon Zest: Delivers bright, zesty citrus punch and aromatic freshness.
• Vanilla Extract: Rounds out flavors with warm, classic undertone.

• All-Purpose Flour: Forms cookie's delicate structure and provides gentle crumb.
• Coconut: Introduces tropical texture and subtle nutty sweetness to complement lemon.

Cookie Tools That Bring Flavor to Life

• Mixing bowl: Large, sturdy bowl for combining ingredients smoothly.
• Electric mixer or hand mixer: Essential for beating butter, cream cheese, and sugar until fluffy.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Precise tools for accurate ingredient quantities.
• Zester or grater: Perfect for creating fine lemon zest.
• Baking sheet: Flat pan for cookie preparation and baking.
• Parchment paper or silicone baking mat: Prevents cookies from sticking and ensures easy removal.
• Wire cooling rack: Allows cookies to cool evenly and prevent soggy bottoms.
• Spatula or wooden spoon: Helpful for mixing and scraping bowl sides.

Mixing and Baking Lemon Coconut Cookies

• Butter Bliss

Cream together butter, cream cheese, and sugar until the mixture transforms into a cloud-like texture that promises delectable cookies.

• Zesty Awakening

Introduce egg, bright lemon zest, and vanilla extract, stirring gently to marry these vibrant flavors into a harmonious blend.

• Flour Power

Softly fold flour into the mixture, stopping the moment ingredients unite to guarantee tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookies.

• Cookie Transformation

Dollop spoonfuls of dough onto a prepared baking sheet, leaving generous spaces between each potential treat. Slide into a warm oven preheated to 350°F and bake until edges turn a gentle golden hue.

• Sweet Finale

Let cookies rest momentarily on the baking sheet, allowing them to stabilize. Transfer to a cooling rack where they’ll reach perfect serving temperature, inviting eager taste buds to indulge in lemony coconut magic.

Tips to Make Cookies Extra Soft or Crispy

• Tropical Twist Tips: How to Elevate Your Lemon Coconut Cookies
• Zesty Flavor Boost: Enhance the lemon profile by adding an extra teaspoon of lemon zest or a splash of fresh lemon juice to the wet ingredients for a more intense citrus punch.
• Texture Play: Roll the cookie dough balls in shredded coconut before baking to create a delightful crispy exterior and add an extra layer of tropical texture.
• Glaze Magic: Whip up a quick lemon glaze by mixing powdered sugar with fresh lemon juice, drizzling it over cooled cookies for a sweet and tangy finish.
• Nutty Surprise: Fold in some chopped macadamia nuts or sliced almonds to the dough for an unexpected crunch and nutty undertone that complements the lemon and coconut flavors.

How to Serve These Bright and Buttery Cookies

• Tropical Tea Party Twist: Serve these zesty cookies alongside a refreshing coconut or tropical iced tea, creating a delightful flavor harmony that transports you to a sunny beach getaway.
• Dessert Platter Perfection: Arrange the cookies on a beautiful platter with fresh berries, lemon slices, and a small dish of whipped cream for an elegant and inviting dessert presentation that adds visual appeal.
• Creamy Companion Pairing: Create a divine experience by serving these cookies with a scoop of lemon sorbet or coconut gelato, letting the complementary flavors dance together and elevate the entire tasting experience.
• Gift-Worthy Packaging: Package the cookies in a cute clear box with a ribbon, adding a few dried coconut flakes or lemon zest as a decorative touch, making them a charming homemade gift for friends and family.

Keep Lemon Coconut Cookies Fresh and Chewy

• Tasty Cookie Safekeeping: Store these delightful lemon coconut cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, keeping them fresh for up to 5 days.
• Freezer-Friendly Magic: Wrap individual cookies or the entire batch in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Frozen cookies stay delicious for 2-3 months, ready to enjoy whenever a sweet craving hits.
• Smart Portioning Trick: Before freezing, separate cookie layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. This allows you to grab just a few cookies without thawing the entire batch.
• Freshness Revival Technique: Slightly warm refrigerated or frozen cookies in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to restore their soft, just-baked texture and enhance the zesty lemon and coconut flavors.

Tropical Lemon Coconut Cookies

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4.7 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 27 minutes
• Yield: 25 1x

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Description

Scrumptious lemon coconut delight cookies bring zesty tropical flavors together in a delectable treat. Delicate crumbly texture and refreshing citrus notes promise a perfect balance of sweetness and tang that will enchant you.

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Ingredients

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• 1 cup (240 ml) flour
• ½ cup (120 ml) butter, softened
• ½ cup (120 ml) shredded coconut
• ¾ cup (180 ml) sugar
• 4 oz (113 g) cream cheese, softened
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Prepare Base: Vigorously whisk softened butter, cream cheese, and sugar in a mixing bowl until achieving a luxuriously smooth and voluminous consistency that forms the foundation of these delicate cookies.
2. Enhance Flavor Profile: Gently fold egg, lemon zest, and vanilla extract into the creamy mixture, ensuring complete and harmonious integration of aromatic ingredients.
3. Combine Dry Components: Delicately incorporate flour into the wet ingredients with minimal stirring, then fold in shredded coconut, creating a uniform dough that balances texture and flavor.
4. Shape and Arrange: Utilize a cookie scoop to portion uniform dough mounds onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, strategically spacing them to allow natural expansion during baking.
5. Bake to Perfection: Position the cookie sheet in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C), baking for 10-12 minutes until edges transform into a golden-brown hue and centers appear set.
6. Cool and Stabilize: Allow cookies to rest briefly on the baking sheet, then transfer to a wire rack, permitting complete cooling and structural solidification before serving these lemony, coconut-infused delicacies.

Notes

• Butter Softening Technique: Ensure butter is softened at room temperature but not melted, which helps create a smooth, airy cookie base with perfect texture.
• Zest Intensity Tip: Use fresh lemon zest for maximum citrus flavor, avoiding the bitter white pith underneath the lemon’s outer skin.
• Coconut Distribution Trick: Gently fold coconut to prevent overmixing, maintaining a light and tender cookie structure that doesn’t become dense or tough.
• Baking Precision Hack: Watch cookies closely during the last few minutes of baking to achieve a golden edge without overcooking, as they continue to set after removal from the oven.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 25
• Calories: 160
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 80 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 19 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg