If you love the perfect blend of rich, gooey chocolate, crunchy pecans, and sweet, chewy coconut, then you are absolutely going to adore this Chocolate Pecan Coconut Cookies Recipe. These delightful treats bring together simple ingredients that create a flavor explosion and a texture that feels like a hug in cookie form. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just craving something sweet, this recipe is incredibly easy to whip up and guaranteed to impress anyone who gets a bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting the ingredients right is the first step to baking these irresistible cookies. Each item plays a vital role: the coconut provides chewiness and sweetness, the chocolate adds melty richness, and the pecans contribute a lovely crunch that balances the texture perfectly.
- Sweetened coconut flakes (14 oz.): Gives these cookies their chewy texture and tropical sweetness that’s simply addictive.
- Sweetened condensed milk (14 oz. can): Acts as the glue that holds everything together and adds creamy sweetness.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips (2 cups): These melt beautifully during baking, making each bite decadently chocolaty.
- Chopped pecans (1/3 cup): Adds a wonderful crunch and nutty flavor that perfectly complements the other ingredients.
How to Make Chocolate Pecan Coconut Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to ensure your cookies don’t stick and come out with perfect bottoms every time.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine the coconut flakes, semi-sweet chocolate chips, and chopped pecans. This blend creates the hearty base of your cookies that’s rich in texture and flavor.
Step 3: Add the Sweetened Condensed Milk
Pour the entire can of sweetened condensed milk over the dry ingredients. Stir everything together until every bit of coconut, chocolate, and pecan is evenly coated. The condensed milk will hold everything together and give the cookies their chewy, almost fudgy consistency.
Step 4: Shape the Dough
Use an ice cream scooper or spoon to scoop out the dough. Shape each portion into discs on your prepared baking sheet. Gently press down on the tops to slightly flatten them. If the dough sticks to your fingers, just dampen them with a bit of water to keep things smooth and easy.
Step 5: Chill Before Baking
For a firmer shape and to prevent spreading, refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes to 1 hour before baking. This step helps the cookies bake up perfectly thick and chewy!
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Bake the cookies in your preheated oven for 10-12 minutes. Keep a close eye as the edges start to turn golden brown—that’s the sign they are ready to come out. The sweet aroma filling your kitchen at this point is absolutely heavenly.
Step 7: Cool and Enjoy
Allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet so they can set up and hold their shape. Then, it’s time to enjoy these little gems fresh and chewy, packed with all those amazing flavors.
How to Serve Chocolate Pecan Coconut Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt over the cookies before baking for an exciting salty-sweet contrast. Another fun option is to drizzle melted white chocolate on top once cooled for an elegant and tasty finish.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a tall glass of cold milk or a warm cup of coffee or tea, which complements and balances their sweetness perfectly. They also make a great dessert alongside fresh fruit or vanilla ice cream for a special indulgence.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange your Chocolate Pecan Coconut Cookies Recipe on a beautiful platter lined with banana leaves for a tropical touch. You can also stack them in clear cellophane bags tied with a colorful ribbon—perfect as a thoughtful gift for friends and family.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, and they should stay fresh and chewy for up to 5 days. Just make sure the container is well sealed to maintain their moisture and flavor.
Freezing
If you want to preserve these delightful cookies longer, freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet first, then transfer to an airtight freezer bag. They freeze well for up to 3 months and thaw quickly at room temperature.
Reheating
To revive their chewy softness, warm the cookies in a microwave for about 10 seconds or pop them in a low oven (around 300°F) for a few minutes. This little trick enhances that freshly-baked feeling every time you enjoy one.
FAQs
Can I substitute the sweetened condensed milk with something else?
Sweetened condensed milk is key for the chewy texture and sweetness. While you can try alternatives like evaporated milk with added sugar, the texture might differ slightly.
Are these cookies gluten-free?
Yes! This Chocolate Pecan Coconut Cookies Recipe uses no flour, making it naturally gluten-free and suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
Can I use unsweetened coconut flakes instead of sweetened?
Using unsweetened coconut will make the cookies less sweet. You may want to add a bit of extra sugar or honey to compensate if you prefer a sweeter cookie.
Can I swap pecans for another nut?
Absolutely! Walnuts, almonds, or even macadamia nuts would work great, offering different but equally delicious textures and flavors.
How long should I refrigerate the dough if I am short on time?
Even 30 minutes in the fridge helps prevent spreading and improves cookie texture, but if pressed, you could go for as little as 15 minutes to get decent results.
Final Thoughts
This Chocolate Pecan Coconut Cookies Recipe has quickly become one of my favorite go-to treats because it’s so simple yet incredibly satisfying. Whether you’re a coconut lover, a chocolate fanatic, or just need a quick batch of cookies to brighten your day, these cookies hit all the right notes. Give this recipe a try and savor every beautiful bite—you’ll be glad you did!
Print
Chocolate Pecan Coconut Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Chocolate Pecan Coconut Cookies are delightful sweet treats featuring a chewy coconut base combined with rich semi-sweet chocolate chips and crunchy pecans. Sweetened condensed milk binds the mixture, creating an indulgent, caramel-like texture. Perfectly baked to golden edges, these cookies offer a satisfying blend of textures and flavors that make for a delicious snack or dessert.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 14 oz. bag sweetened coconut flakes
- 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/3 cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to ensure the cookies do not stick.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the sweetened coconut flakes, semi-sweet chocolate chips, and chopped pecans, ensuring they are evenly distributed.
- Add Sweetened Condensed Milk: Pour the sweetened condensed milk into the bowl and stir thoroughly until all ingredients are completely coated and the mixture forms a sticky dough.
- Scoop and Shape Dough: Use an ice cream scooper or spoon to portion out the dough. Shape each portion into a disc, gently pressing the tops to slightly flatten them. Use dampened fingers if needed to prevent sticking.
- Chill Dough: Refrigerate the shaped dough for 30 minutes to 1 hour to firm up the cookies and prevent them from spreading during baking.
- Bake: Arrange the chilled discs onto the prepared baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges of the coconut begin to turn a golden brown color.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet before transferring or serving to ensure they set properly and hold their shape.
Notes
- Chilling the dough is essential to maintain shape and prevent excessive spreading during baking.
- Using damp fingers to shape the cookies helps prevent the sticky dough from adhering to your hands.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- For added flavor, consider toasting the coconut flakes lightly before mixing.
