Prepare to tantalize your taste buds with these exquisite Coconut Pecan Cookies! Golden brown, delightfully chewy, and bursting with flavor, they are remarkably simple to whip up, whether you’ve had a demanding day at work or have unexpected guests arriving. These magnificent coconut cookies, enriched with the buttery crunch of pecans, will envelop your home in an irresistible aroma of nutty, warm-spiced goodness. Best of all, they can be ready to enjoy in 30 minutes or less, making them the perfect spontaneous treat!

Each bite offers a harmonious blend of textures and flavors: the sweet chewiness of coconut, the satisfying crunch of toasted pecans, and the rich, complex notes of browned butter, all subtly enhanced by warming spices. This recipe isn’t just about making cookies; it’s about creating a moment of pure comfort and joy, effortlessly.

Why You’ll Adore These Coconut Pecan Cookies

These aren’t just any cookies; they’re a celebration of flavor and ease! Here’s why this particular coconut pecan cookie recipe is destined to become a staple in your baking repertoire:

• Effortlessly Quick and Easy: Forget complicated recipes that demand hours in the kitchen. This recipe requires minimal equipment and straightforward steps, making it perfect for a spontaneous baking session on any day of the week. From mixing to munching, you can enjoy these delightful treats in under 30 minutes! It’s the ideal solution for satisfying sudden sweet cravings or preparing a last-minute dessert for company.
• A Symphony of Rich Flavors and Textures: The combination of nutty brown butter, sweet shredded coconut, and crunchy pecans creates an incredibly rich and satisfying flavor profile. Each cookie boasts a perfectly crisp edge, giving way to a wonderfully chewy center. The deep, caramelized notes of the brown butter elevate the natural sweetness of the coconut and the earthy richness of the pecans, resulting in a truly unforgettable bite.
• Foolproof for Bakers of All Levels: Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, this coconut pecan cookie recipe is designed for success. The steps are clear, and the results are consistently delicious. Once you master the basic technique, you’ll find it incredibly versatile, allowing you to experiment with various add-ins and customize it to your heart’s content. It’s a reliable recipe that builds confidence in the kitchen.
• Perfect for Any Season, Especially Fall: While these cookies are a fantastic dessert to enjoy year-round, their warm and inviting spice notes of cinnamon and cardamom make them particularly wonderful during the autumn months. They evoke the cozy feelings of fall, much like our popular maple pecan cookies and classic cowboy chocolate chip cookies. Imagine a batch fresh from the oven, filling your home with a comforting aroma on a crisp autumn evening.

Essential Ingredients for Perfect Coconut Pecan Cookies

Crafting these delectable coconut pecan cookies requires a few key ingredients, each playing a vital role in achieving their irresistible flavor and texture. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and why each component is so important:

• Cinnamon and Cardamom: These two spices are the heart of the warm, autumnal flavor profile in these cookies. Cinnamon offers a classic sweet and woody warmth, while cardamom introduces a unique, slightly floral, and intensely aromatic note that beautifully complements the nutty elements. Together, they transform a simple cookie into a comforting, gourmet delight.
• Unsalted Butter: The secret to the incredible depth of flavor in this recipe lies in browning the unsalted butter. Cooking it gently over the stove develops a rich, nutty aroma and a complex, caramelized taste that pairs exquisitely with the pecans. This process adds an extra layer of warmth and sophistication, making these cookies truly stand out. Using unsalted butter allows you to control the overall saltiness of the cookie.
• Brown Sugar: Brown sugar is our preferred sweetener for this recipe due to its inherent moisture and the subtle molasses flavor it brings. This molasses content contributes significantly to the cookies’ chewiness and adds a wonderful depth that white sugar simply can’t match. Both light and dark brown sugar work beautifully, so feel free to use whatever you have on hand; dark brown sugar will impart a slightly richer, more caramel-like flavor.
• Unsweetened Shredded Coconut: This ingredient provides that quintessential tropical sweetness and delightful chewiness without overpowering the other flavors. Using unsweetened coconut allows the natural flavors to shine and keeps the cookies from becoming overly sweet. If you prefer a larger, flakier texture, coconut flakes can also be used as a substitute.
• Chopped Pecans: The true star of these cookies! Pecans offer a rich, buttery flavor and a satisfying crunch that contrasts perfectly with the soft, chewy cookie base. Their natural oils toast beautifully, enhancing their nutty notes. You’ll typically find chopped pecans in the baking aisle of your grocery store. For an even more intense pecan flavor, consider lightly toasting them before adding them to the dough (see Expert Baking Tips below!).
• All-Purpose Flour: The structural foundation of our cookies. Always measure your flour accurately to ensure the right texture.
• Baking Soda: This leavening agent helps the cookies spread slightly and achieve that perfect tender-chewy texture.
• Salt: A pinch of salt is crucial for balancing the sweetness and enhancing all the other flavors, making the cookies taste more complex and delicious.
• Large Egg: The egg binds the ingredients together, adds moisture, and contributes to the cookie’s structure and richness. Ensure it’s at room temperature for better incorporation into the dough.
• Vanilla Extract: A splash of vanilla extract rounds out the flavors, adding a classic warmth and sweetness that complements the spices and nuts beautifully.

See the full recipe card below for precise ingredient quantities.

Unlock Your Creativity: Substitutions & Variations

One of the joys of baking is the ability to customize a recipe to suit your preferences or what you have on hand. This coconut pecan cookie recipe is incredibly versatile, offering plenty of room for creative twists:

• Experiment with Cookie Sizes: These delicious treats can be made in various sizes. For a batch of charming mini versions, use a tablespoon-sized scoop for the dough. Remember to adjust baking times accordingly – mini cookies might only need about 6-8 minutes, so start checking them around the 6-minute mark to ensure they don’t overbake. For larger, bakery-style cookies, use a larger scoop and add a few extra minutes to the baking time.
• Nutty Alternatives: While pecans are fantastic, almost any type of nut can be substituted to create a different flavor profile. Walnuts offer a slightly more bitter, earthy note that pairs beautifully with the brown butter. Pistachios would provide a unique color and a distinct, subtly sweet flavor for a fun and gourmet twist. Almonds or cashews could also work, offering a milder, creamier texture. For optimal flavor, lightly toast any substituted nuts before adding them to the dough.
• Exciting Add-ins: Beyond nuts, feel free to incorporate other delightful mix-ins. Toffee bits will add a buttery, caramelized crunch and chewiness. White chocolate chips melt into creamy pockets of sweetness, a classic pairing with coconut. For chocolate lovers, a handful of dark chocolate chunks or mini semi-sweet chocolate chips would be divine. Dried cranberries or cherries could introduce a tart, fruity element, while a sprinkle of orange zest could brighten the flavors.
• Boost the Coconut Flavor: If you’re a true coconut enthusiast and want to amplify its presence, consider substituting half of the unsalted butter with unrefined coconut oil. This will impart a more pronounced tropical coconut flavor and contribute to a slightly chewier texture. Keep in mind that coconut oil has a lower smoke point than butter, so watch it carefully if you choose to brown it.

Please note that this recipe has not been extensively tested with other substitutions or variations beyond those suggested. If you decide to replace any ingredients or try a new variation, we’d love to hear how it turned out! Please share your experiences and results in the comments section below to help other bakers!

Effortless Baking: Step-by-Step Instructions

Creating these sensational coconut pecan cookies is a straightforward process. Follow these easy steps to bake a batch of warm, fragrant cookies that are sure to impress!

Step One (Illustrated in Picture 1 above): Browning the Butter and Mixing Wet Ingredients

Begin by melting the unsalted butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir constantly with a rubber spatula, observing as the butter transforms. It will foam, then subside, and eventually, small golden-brown bits will form at the bottom of the pan. Once you detect a rich, nutty aroma and the butter turns an amber color, immediately remove it from the heat to prevent burning. Pour the browned butter into a large heatproof bowl and allow it to cool completely to room temperature. This cooling step is crucial to prevent your cookies from spreading too much. Once cooled, vigorously stir in the brown sugar until well combined. Then, beat in the room temperature egg and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and cohesive.

Step Two (Illustrated in Picture 2 above): Combining Dry Ingredients

In a separate medium-sized mixing bowl, combine your dry ingredients: all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, and ground cardamom. Whisk them together thoroughly until all the spices and leavening agents are evenly distributed throughout the flour. This ensures uniform flavor and rise in every cookie.

Step Three (Illustrated in Picture 3 above): Folding in Coconut and Pecans

Gradually add the whisked dry ingredients into the wet ingredients from Step One. Stir gently until just combined, being careful not to overmix. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, leading to tough cookies. Stop mixing as soon as no dry flour streaks are visible. Finally, fold in the unsweetened shredded coconut and chopped pecans until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough. Ensure every spoonful of dough gets a good mix of these delicious additions.

Step Four (Illustrated in Picture 4 above): Scooping and Baking

Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup and consistent baking. Using a large cookie scoop (about 2 tablespoons), drop rounded balls of the coconut pecan cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them approximately 2 inches apart to allow for spreading. Bake for 9-12 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies turn a light golden tan, but the centers still look slightly soft. This ensures a chewy interior. Remove from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Pro Tips for Perfect Coconut Pecan Cookies

Achieving bakery-quality cookies at home is easier than you think with these expert tips:

• Tip #1 – Precision is Key: Weigh Your Dry Ingredients
  For consistent and perfect cookies every single time, weighing your dry ingredients, especially flour, using a digital kitchen scale is far more precise than using measuring cups. Flour can compact differently in a cup, leading to variations in your dough. If you don’t have a scale, make sure you properly “spoon and level” your dry ingredients: spoon the flour lightly into your measuring cup until it overflows, then level off the top using a straight edge like a bench scraper or the flat side of a butter knife. Never pack the flour into the cup.
• Tip #2 – Elevate Flavor: Toast Your Coconut and Pecans
  Toasting your shredded coconut and chopped pecans before adding them to the dough will significantly deepen their flavor, adding an extra layer of nutty complexity to your cookies. Spread the coconut flakes and pecans in a single layer on a separate baking sheet and bake them in a preheated 325°F (160°C) oven for 5-10 minutes. Toss them gently halfway through. Watch them closely and remove them from the oven as soon as you smell their inviting aroma or see a slight golden tint, as nuts and coconut can burn quickly. Allow them to cool before mixing into the dough.
• Tip #3 – Don’t Rush the Cooling Process:
  After baking, allow your cookies to cool on the baking sheet for at least 5-10 minutes before attempting to transfer them to a wire rack. This initial cooling period allows the cookies to set and firm up, preventing them from breaking apart when moved. Moving them too soon can result in misshapen or broken cookies.
• Tip #4 – Room Temperature Ingredients Matter:
  Ensure your egg (and butter, if not browning) is at room temperature. Room temperature ingredients emulsify more easily, creating a smoother, more uniform dough. A well-emulsified dough traps more air, which contributes to a lighter and more evenly baked cookie. To quickly bring an egg to room temperature, place it in a bowl of warm water for 5-10 minutes.

Common Questions About Coconut Pecan Cookies

Got questions about making these delightful cookies? We’ve got answers!

Storing Your Delicious Coconut Pecan Cookies

Ensuring your homemade cookies stay fresh and delicious is simple with these storage guidelines for both baked cookies and raw dough:

Room Temperature Storage:

Once completely cooled, these coconut pecan cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. To keep them extra soft and chewy, a little trick is to place a half slice of fresh bread in the container with the cookies; the bread will absorb moisture and help maintain their delightful texture. Just remember to replace the bread every couple of days.

Refrigerator Storage (for Unbaked Dough):

If you’re planning ahead, unbaked cookie dough can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one day. Simply cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or transfer the dough to an airtight container. When you’re ready to bake, you can scoop the chilled dough straight onto a baking sheet. If the dough seems too firm to scoop easily, let it sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes until it softens enough to work with, but not so long that it becomes greasy.

Freezing Instructions for Long-Term Enjoyment:

These cookies are perfect for freezing, allowing you to enjoy a homemade treat whenever a craving strikes!

For Baked Cookies: To freeze baked cookies, ensure they are completely cool first. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap individually or in small stacks, then place them in a freezer-safe plastic bag or an airtight container. This double-layer protection helps prevent freezer burn. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 1 month. When you’re ready to enjoy them, simply allow them to come to room temperature on the counter, or pop them into the microwave for 15 to 30 seconds for a warm, freshly-baked experience.

For Cookie Dough: Freezing cookie dough is a fantastic way to have fresh cookies on demand. Scoop the cookie dough into balls and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Freeze until solid (this usually takes 1-2 hours). Once frozen, transfer the solid cookie dough balls into a freezer-safe plastic bag or an airtight container. They can be stored for up to 1 month. To bake from frozen, simply place the frozen cookie dough balls onto a baking sheet while your oven preheats, then bake as directed in the recipe, adding an extra 2-4 minutes to the baking time.

More Delicious Recipes You’ll Love

If you enjoyed these delightful coconut pecan cookies, you’re in for a treat with these other fan-favorite recipes from our collection:

Did you try this recipe? We’d absolutely love to see your creations!
Tag @brokenovenbaking on Instagram & Facebook and leave a ⭐️ review below! Your feedback helps us grow and inspires other home bakers.

Coconut Pecan Cookies

Kayla Burton