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You are here: Home / Desserts / Cookies / Island Cookies

Island Cookies

August 5, 2015 Updated April 30, 2020 BySam 52 Comments

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Soft, buttery cookies crammed with coconut, macadamia nuts, and white chocolate chips, these tropical cookies are like a mini vacation for your mouth.

stack of island cookies

There seem to be clear battle lines drawn between the coconut-lovers and the coconut-haters of the world.

I, for one, am a lover of coconut, while Zach hates the stuff.  His number one complaint is the texture; he says its stringy and chewy, and while perhaps I wouldn’t use the word stringy (“perfectly shredded” is more appropriate), I acknowledge and love the chewiness that coconut adds to the texture of baked goods. Coconut Macaroons and 7 Layer Bars are among my favorite desserts.

Zach is not the only person in my life who hates coconut: with 85% of my immediate family feeling the same way, I often avoid using coconut in my desserts.  But recently, I’ve been craving something with its signature chew, and so I finally succumbed to my cravings and made these cookies for myself.

In retrospect, this was an absolutely terrible idea, because I now have a full batch of gloriously addictive cookies perched on my kitchen counter-top, and no one to pawn them off on.

overhead of cookies on plate and baking sheet

On the first go-round these cookies were made with lime zest and lime juice, but I quickly decided to exclude all traces of lime from the subsequent renditions.  Though I generally enjoy the tartness that it can add, even a stingily portioned addition seemed almost overpowering, making the cookies taste awkwardly fruity.

I think you’ll find that these cookies are just perfect as they are, sans lime.  Each bite carries the wonderfully melded flavors of coconut, macadamia nuts and white chocolate and if you like coconut, you will certainly enjoy the chewy textures.

island cookies on light wood board  plate full of cookies

Even once cooled, these cookies still manage to taste warm and toasty, like nutty nuggets of tropical island sunshine embodied in soft, golden cookie shells.

Arguably, they are the perfect summertime cookie.

More Recipes You Might Like:

  • Coconut Cake
  • Coconut Cream Pie
  • White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies
  • Coconut Cookies

Enjoy!

stack of cookies

Island Cookies

Soft, buttery cookies crammed with coconut, macadamia nuts, and white chocolate chips, these tropical cookies are like a mini vacation for your mouth.
5 from 5 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: best cookies, cookie recipe, island cookies
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 14 minutes
Total Time: 24 minutes
Servings: 40 cookies
Calories: 144kcal
Author: Sam Merritt

Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter softened, 2 sticks
  • 1 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 egg + 1 egg yolk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp cornstarch
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 cups sweetened shredded coconut
  • 1 cup white chocolate chips
  • 3/4 cups chopped dry roasted macadamia nuts*

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350F and line cookie sheets with nonstick parchment paper.
  • In KitchenAid (or with hand mixer) cream together butter and sugars.
  • Add egg and egg yolk, beat well.
  • Stir in vanilla. Scrape down sides of bowl and stir to ensure ingredients are well-combined.
  • In separate, medium-sized bowl whisk together flour, baking powder, cornstarch and salt.
  • Gradually, with mixer on medium-low speed, add flour mixture into butter/sugar mixture until combined.
  • Stir in coconut, white chocolate chips and nuts.
  • Drop 1 1/2" cookie dough onto prepared parchment paper and flatten slightly with the back of a spoon.
  • Bake on 350F 12-14 minutes (until edges begin to turn light golden brown).
  • Cool 5 minutes on baking pan and then transfer to cooling rack to cool completely.

Notes

*regular chopped macadamia nuts will work as well, but I like the added subtle crunch the dry roasted ones add.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cookie | Calories: 144kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 17mg | Sodium: 88mg | Potassium: 54mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 149IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 19mg | Iron: 1mg
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Filed Under: Cookies, Desserts

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Comments

  1. Tonya says

    July 19, 2019 at 7:57 pm

    5 stars
    These cookies are incredible. I added the zest and juice of 6 limes to send them completely over the top! Thanks much for sharing the recipe.

    Reply
    • Sam says

      July 20, 2019 at 9:03 am

      So glad you enjoyed, Tonya!! Yum!

      Reply
  2. Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop says

    August 7, 2015 at 8:58 am

    I’ll take a mini vacation any way I can get it! These cookies look great and I love, love, love coconut!

    Reply
    • Sam says

      August 7, 2015 at 6:05 pm

      Thanks, Kathy!

      Reply
  3. Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says

    August 7, 2015 at 7:38 am

    I also am a BIG lover of coconut!!! But I didn’t like it as a kid. . i think it was a texture thing .. but now I love it! these cookies look so good!!!

    Reply
    • Sam says

      August 7, 2015 at 6:05 pm

      It’s funny how tastes and preferences can change, I definitely love some foods now I wouldn’t touch as a child. Thanks, Alice!!

      Reply
  4. [email protected] The Gastronomic Bong says

    August 7, 2015 at 7:13 am

    LOVE these cookies. I am a huge fan of coconut and these cookies look PERFECT!!

    Reply
    • Sam says

      August 7, 2015 at 6:04 pm

      Thanks, Arpita!!

      Reply
  5. Anu-My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says

    August 7, 2015 at 5:11 am

    What a beautiful delight for a coconut lover like me, Sam! Loving these buttery, creamy, yummy cookies!

    Reply
    • Sam says

      August 7, 2015 at 6:04 pm

      Thanks, Anu!!

      Reply
  6. Vanessa @ VanessaBaked says

    August 6, 2015 at 8:58 pm

    I know I would enjoy these cookies. The flavor combination sounds delicious!

    Reply
    • Sam says

      August 7, 2015 at 6:04 pm

      Thanks, Vanessa!!

      Reply
  7. Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says

    August 6, 2015 at 6:32 pm

    5 stars
    You got my attention with just the name island cookies. I love coconut too and I truly love white chocolate and macadamia nut cookies. You made my favorites even better!

    Reply
    • Sam says

      August 7, 2015 at 6:04 pm

      Awesome! Thanks, Maureen!!

      Reply
  8. Cathleen @ A Taste Of Madness says

    August 6, 2015 at 3:45 pm

    I am obsessed with all things coconut. These cookies sound amazing!

    Reply
    • Sam says

      August 7, 2015 at 6:03 pm

      Thanks, Cathleen!! 🙂

      Reply
  9. Medha @ Whisk & Shout says

    August 6, 2015 at 11:25 am

    Coconut is a staple in all of my favorite baking recipes! Love the creamy white chocolate and the buttery macadamias, too!

    Reply
    • Sam says

      August 7, 2015 at 6:03 pm

      Thank you, Medha!!

      Reply
  10. Mary Frances says

    August 6, 2015 at 10:25 am

    Perfectly shredded lol, that’s how I like to think too! We have our own set of coconut haters at our house too. The struggle 😉 I for one am down for these cookies! Talk about an amazing flavor combo!

    Reply
    • Sam says

      August 7, 2015 at 6:03 pm

      Thanks so much, Mary Frances! 🙂

      Reply
  11. Ben Maclain | Havocinthekitchen says

    August 6, 2015 at 9:06 am

    5 stars
    I’ve actually made these cookies (I guess even the name was the same). So I can guarantee they’re divine. That’s obvious though because the combo of coconut, macadamia nuts, and white chocolate is the best! Nicely done, Sam!

    Reply
    • Sam says

      August 7, 2015 at 6:02 pm

      Sweet, now you have to try my version and tell me how it stacks up! Thanks, Ben! 😀

      Reply
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The author (Sam) in blue shirt holding donut Hi, I'm Sam! I'm dedicated to bringing you sweet, simple, and from-scratch dessert recipes. My life may or may not be controlled by my sweet tooth. Send help (or chocolate). Read more about me.

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