Soft, buttery cookies crammed with coconut, macadamia nuts, and white chocolate chips, these tropical cookies are like a mini vacation for your mouth.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Island Cookies
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
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Preheat oven to 350F and line cookie sheets with nonstick parchment paper.
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In KitchenAid (or with hand mixer) cream together butter and sugars.
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Add egg and egg yolk, beat well.
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Stir in vanilla. Scrape down sides of bowl and stir to ensure ingredients are well-combined.
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In separate, medium-sized bowl whisk together flour, baking powder, cornstarch and salt.
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Gradually, with mixer on medium-low speed, add flour mixture into butter/sugar mixture until combined.
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Stir in coconut, white chocolate chips and nuts.
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Drop 1 1/2" cookie dough onto prepared parchment paper and flatten slightly with the back of a spoon.
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Bake on 350F 12-14 minutes (until edges begin to turn light golden brown).
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Cool 5 minutes on baking pan and then transfer to cooling rack to cool completely.
Recipe Notes
*regular chopped macadamia nuts will work as well, but I like the added subtle crunch the dry roasted ones add.
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Ben Maclain | Havocinthekitchen says
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!
Sam says
Sweet, now you have to try my version and tell me how it stacks up! Thanks, Ben! 😀
Mary Frances says
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!
Sam says
Thanks so much, Mary Frances! 🙂
Medha @ Whisk & Shout says
Coconut is a staple in all of my favorite baking recipes! Love the creamy white chocolate and the buttery macadamias, too!
Sam says
Thank you, Medha!!
Cathleen @ A Taste Of Madness says
I am obsessed with all things coconut. These cookies sound amazing!
Sam says
Thanks, Cathleen!! 🙂
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
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!
Sam says
Awesome! Thanks, Maureen!!
Vanessa @ VanessaBaked says
I know I would enjoy these cookies. The flavor combination sounds delicious!
Sam says
Thanks, Vanessa!!
Anu-My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says
What a beautiful delight for a coconut lover like me, Sam! Loving these buttery, creamy, yummy cookies!
Sam says
Thanks, Anu!!
[email protected] The Gastronomic Bong says
LOVE these cookies. I am a huge fan of coconut and these cookies look PERFECT!!
Sam says
Thanks, Arpita!!
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
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!!!
Sam says
It’s funny how tastes and preferences can change, I definitely love some foods now I wouldn’t touch as a child. Thanks, Alice!!
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop says
I’ll take a mini vacation any way I can get it! These cookies look great and I love, love, love coconut!
Sam says
Thanks, Kathy!