Today, we’re thrilled to share the recipe for our delightful Apricot Coconut Cookies! These irresistible treats offer the perfect fusion of sweet, tangy apricot and tropical coconut, resulting in a cookie that’s truly exceptional. Every bite transports you to a sunny paradise, making them an instant favorite. I recently shared a batch with John’s Grandmother, and they were an absolute hit – a testament to their widespread appeal.
Apricot Coconut Cookies: A Tropical Twist for Your Treat Plate
Welcome to Day 11 of our 25 Days of Holiday Cookies and Treats! We’re well into our festive baking journey, and today’s offering is a testament to the joy of combining unique flavors. If you’ve been following along, you might have noticed a recurring theme: coconut! I confess, I’ve been on a bit of a coconut kick lately. This is already our fifth coconut-infused cookie recipe in just eleven days! I truly hope you love coconut as much as I do.
However, if coconut isn’t quite your cup of tea—like our Hawaiian neighbor, who surprisingly isn’t a fan (we joke that it feels wrong on so many levels!)—don’t worry! We have plenty of non-coconut cookies coming up later this week to ensure there’s a perfect treat for everyone’s palate. Whether you’re a devout coconut lover or prefer something different, our holiday series has something special in store for you.
Are you fully immersed in holiday baking, with flour dustings and sweet aromas filling your kitchen? Or are you a planner, holding off for a few more weeks until the festive rush truly begins? Either way, these Apricot Coconut Cookies are a fantastic addition to any holiday spread, bake sale, or simply a cozy evening at home.
Before I dive into the details, let me just say, the glaze on these cookies is pure bliss. Oh my goodness! I’m not ashamed to admit right here and now that I may have licked the spoon clean and gone back for a second “sample” of that heavenly glaze. It’s a sweet, tangy, and utterly addictive topping that elevates these cookies to an extraordinary level. Hello, Yum!
Why You’ll Fall in Love with These Apricot Coconut Cookies
These aren’t just any cookies; they are a celebration of flavor and texture. Here’s why these Apricot Coconut Cookies will quickly become a cherished part of your baking repertoire:
- Exquisite Flavor Fusion: The vibrant, slightly tart sweetness of apricot preserves perfectly complements the delicate, nutty, and tropical notes of shredded coconut. It’s a match made in dessert heaven that’s both familiar and exciting.
- Incredibly Tender Texture: Thanks to the inclusion of cream cheese in the dough, these cookies boast an exceptionally soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture that’s simply divine. They’re chewy without being dense, creating a delightful mouthfeel.
- Simple Yet Sophisticated: Don’t let their gourmet taste fool you; these cookies are surprisingly easy to make. The steps are straightforward, making them accessible for bakers of all skill levels, from beginners to seasoned pros.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: While they shine brightly during the holiday season, these cookies are versatile enough for year-round enjoyment. They make wonderful gifts, delightful potluck contributions, or just a comforting treat with your afternoon tea or coffee.
- Irresistible Glaze: The apricot-infused glaze is the crowning jewel, adding an extra layer of fruity sweetness and a beautiful sheen that makes them as appealing to the eye as they are to the palate.
The Harmonious Blend of Apricot and Coconut
What makes the pairing of apricot and coconut so special? Apricots bring a bright, slightly tart, and richly sweet fruitiness that instantly awakens the senses. They carry a warmth and a sun-kissed flavor that feels both comforting and exotic. Coconut, on the other hand, offers a gentle sweetness and a unique, subtly earthy, and tropical aroma that adds depth and a pleasant chewiness to baked goods. When combined, these two ingredients create a symphony of flavors that are both refreshing and indulgent. The tartness of the apricot cuts through the richness, while the coconut adds an unexpected textural dimension that elevates the entire experience. It’s a taste adventure that’s hard to resist.
Key Ingredients for Your Irresistible Apricot Coconut Cookies
Creating these delightful cookies requires a few straightforward ingredients, each playing a crucial role in achieving their unique flavor and texture.
Cookie Ingredients:
- All-purpose flour: The fundamental building block, providing structure and body to our cookies. Always measure flour correctly by spooning it into your measuring cup and leveling it off.
- Sugar: Not just for sweetness, sugar also contributes to the tender texture and golden-brown edges of the cookies.
- Baking powder: Our leavening agent, ensuring the cookies rise beautifully and have a soft, airy crumb.
- Cold Butter: Essential for a flaky and tender cookie. Using cold, cubed butter ensures it doesn’t melt too quickly, allowing it to create pockets of steam during baking for a lighter texture.
- Cream cheese: This is the secret ingredient that gives these cookies their incredible tenderness and a slight tangy note, balancing the sweetness. It also adds a wonderful richness and moisture.
- Shredded coconut: Provides that fantastic tropical flavor and a lovely chewiness. For those who aren’t keen on coconut, you could experiment with finely chopped nuts (like pecans or almonds) for a different texture, though it will alter the flavor profile significantly.
- Apricot preserves: The star of the show! It infuses the cookies with intense, sweet-tart apricot flavor and adds moisture, ensuring the cookies stay soft.
Glaze Ingredients:
- Confectioner’s sugar: The base for our smooth, pourable glaze. Its fine texture dissolves easily, creating a silky finish.
- Apricot preserves: Enhances the apricot flavor in the glaze and gives it a beautiful, subtle hue. It also adds a touch of acidity to brighten the overall taste.
- Softened Butter: A small amount of softened butter in the glaze adds richness and helps create a smooth, glossy consistency that sets nicely.
- Milk: Used to thin the glaze to the perfect drizzling consistency. You can adjust the amount to make the glaze thicker or thinner as desired.
Essential Kitchen Tools for Effortless Baking
Having the right tools can make all the difference in your baking experience, turning a task into a joyful process. Here are some of our favorites:
- Large Mixing Bowl: We’re big fans of a sturdy glass batter bowl, especially one with a handle. It provides ample space for mixing ingredients without spills and helps keep the bowl steady on your counter. This makes the entire mixing process much more efficient and less messy.
- Cookie Scoop: A cookie scoop is a game-changer for achieving uniformly sized cookies. Not only do they look more appealing when they’re all consistent, but they also bake more evenly, preventing some from being overdone while others are still raw.
- Parchment Paper: I am a huge advocate for using parchment paper. It makes cleanup incredibly easy, prevents cookies from sticking to the baking sheet, and allows for effortless transfer from the baking sheet to a cooling rack. No more scraping or struggling!
- Baking Sheet with Sides: I prefer to use baking sheets that have a raised edge or sides. This design choice is purely practical: it ensures that if I have a clumsy moment (which, I confess, has happened more than once!), the cookies won’t slide right off the sheet and onto the oven floor. It’s a small detail that provides peace of mind.
- Heat-Resistant Potholders: Safety in the kitchen is paramount. A couple of years ago, we had a fire scare when a cloth potholder accidentally caught fire on an unnoticed hot burner. Thankfully, we quickly saw the smoke and extinguished it ourselves. Since that incident, we have exclusively used these high-quality, heat-resistant silicone potholders, and I cannot recommend them enough for their safety and effectiveness.
- Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer: While not strictly listed, a mixer (either stand or hand-held) will greatly simplify the process of combining ingredients, especially creaming butter and cream cheese.
- Wire Cooling Rack: Essential for allowing cookies to cool properly, preventing them from becoming soggy on the bottom and ensuring even cooling.
Step-by-Step Guide to Baking Perfect Apricot Coconut Cookies
Follow these simple instructions to create a batch of perfectly tender and flavorful apricot coconut cookies, crowned with a luscious glaze.
Cookies:
- Prepare Your Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, sugar, and baking powder. This ensures that the leavening agent is evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Incorporate Fats: Add the cold, cubed butter and cream cheese to the dry ingredients. Using a pastry blender, two knives, or your fingertips, cut the butter and cream cheese into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. This technique helps create a tender, flaky cookie.
- Add Flavor Enhancers: Stir in the shredded coconut and apricot preserves. Mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough cookies. The dough should come together but still be soft and pliable.
- Form and Bake: Drop the cookie dough by rounded spoonfuls onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie to allow for spreading.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers are set. The exact baking time may vary depending on your oven.
- Cool: Once baked, transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. Cooling on a rack prevents the bottoms from becoming soggy.
Glaze:
- Mix Glaze Ingredients: In a small bowl, combine the confectioner’s sugar, apricot preserves, softened butter, and milk.
- Achieve Desired Consistency: Whisk until all ingredients are well combined and smooth. If the glaze is too thick, add a tiny bit more milk, a teaspoon at a time, until it reaches a drizzling consistency. If it’s too thin, add a little more confectioner’s sugar.
- Glaze the Cookies: Once the cookies are completely cool, drizzle or spread the apricot glaze generously over each one. Let the glaze set before serving or storing.
Tips for Perfect Apricot Coconut Cookies Every Time
- Don’t Overmix: Overmixing the dough can develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in tough, dry cookies. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
- Cold Ingredients for Dough: Ensure your butter and cream cheese are cold when you cut them into the dry ingredients. This helps create a flakier texture and prevents the dough from becoming greasy.
- Measure Flour Accurately: Use the spoon and level method for measuring flour. Spoon the flour into your measuring cup and then level it off with a straight edge. Scooping directly from the bag can compact the flour, leading to too much flour and a dry cookie.
- Adjust Glaze Consistency: The perfect glaze should be thick enough to cling to the cookies but thin enough to drizzle smoothly. Adjust with tiny amounts of milk or confectioner’s sugar until you reach your desired consistency.
- Cool Completely Before Glazing: Always wait until your cookies are fully cooled before applying the glaze. Applying glaze to warm cookies will cause it to melt and absorb, rather than setting nicely.
Storage and Make-Ahead Options
- Storage: Store Apricot Coconut Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. For longer freshness, you can store them in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- Freezing Dough: You can prepare the cookie dough ahead of time and freeze it. Form individual cookie dough balls and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet to freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer the dough balls to an airtight freezer bag. They can be stored for up to 2-3 months. When ready to bake, you may need to add a couple of extra minutes to the baking time, or let them thaw slightly.
- Freezing Baked Cookies: Baked cookies can also be frozen, with or without the glaze. Arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then, transfer them to an airtight freezer-safe container or bag, separating layers with parchment paper. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions About Apricot Coconut Cookies
- Can I use dried apricots instead of preserves?
- While this recipe is designed for preserves, you could try finely dicing dried apricots and rehydrating them slightly before mixing them into the dough. However, the preserves offer a smoother consistency and more intense, evenly distributed apricot flavor that’s hard to replicate.
- What if I don’t like coconut? Can I omit it?
- Yes, you can omit the shredded coconut. The cookies will still be delicious with the apricot and cream cheese base, but they will lose the distinct tropical flavor and chewy texture that coconut provides. You could try adding finely chopped white chocolate or macadamia nuts for a different twist.
- How can I make these cookies less sweet?
- You can slightly reduce the sugar in the cookie dough, perhaps by 1-2 tablespoons. For the glaze, using a little less confectioner’s sugar will make it less sweet, but also thinner. Adjust to your personal preference.
- My glaze is too runny/too thick. What should I do?
- If the glaze is too runny, add confectioner’s sugar, one tablespoon at a time, until it thickens. If it’s too thick, add milk, half a teaspoon at a time, until it reaches the desired drizzling consistency.
Embrace the Holiday Baking Spirit!
We are truly thrilled to share these Apricot Coconut Cookies with you as part of our ongoing holiday series. There’s something so special about homemade treats during the festive season – they bring warmth, joy, and delicious aromas into every home. Be sure to check back each morning for a new and exciting holiday cookie or treat recipe!
We sincerely hope you love this Apricot Coconut Cookie recipe as much as we do! It’s quickly become a household favorite and we believe it will become one of yours too. Don’t miss out on all of our other easy cookie recipes, perfect for any time of year.
Are you a fan of exploring new culinary creations? Then you absolutely must check out our diverse collection of recipes, including our intriguing copycat recipes, a wide array of dessert recipes, and our incredibly convenient CrockPot Recipes. There’s always something new and delicious to discover!
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Apricot Coconut Cookies Recipe Summary
Apricot Coconut Cookies
Discover how to make light, flavorful, and incredibly delicious Apricot Coconut Cookies, topped with a sweet and tangy apricot glaze.
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10 minutes
12 minutes
22 minutes
24 cookies
116 kcal
Tammilee Tips
Ingredients
Cookies
- 1 ¼ cup All Purpose Flour
- ¼ cup White Sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoon Baking Powder
- ½ cup Butter (cold)
- 3 oz Cream Cheese
- ½ cup shredded coconut
- ½ cup Apricot Preserves
Glaze
- ½ cup Confectioners Powdered Sugar
- 2 Tablespoon Apricot Preserves
- 1 ½ teaspoon Butter (softened)
- 1 ½ teaspoon Milk
Instructions
Cookies
- Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees F (175 C).
- Combine flour, sugar, and baking powder in a large bowl. Cut in cold butter and cream cheese until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add in shredded coconut and apricot preserves, mixing well until just combined.
- Drop by spoonfuls onto a prepared baking sheet, spacing them out evenly.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Cool completely on a wire rack.
Glaze
- Combine all glaze ingredients in a small bowl and whisk until well combined and smooth. Adjust consistency with milk or confectioner’s sugar as needed. Drizzle over cooled cookies.
Kitchen Tools
- Cookie Sheets
- Mixing Bowls
- Parchment Paper
- Cookie Scoop
- Wire Cooling Rack
Nutrition Information
Nutrition Facts
Apricot Coconut Cookies
Amount Per Serving
Calories 116
% Daily Value*
Fat 6g (9%)
Saturated Fat 4g (25%)
Cholesterol 15mg (5%)
Sodium 56mg (2%)
Potassium 54mg (2%)
Carbohydrates 15g (5%)
Fiber 1g (4%)
Sugar 8g (9%)
Protein 1g (2%)
Vitamin A 187IU (4%)
Vitamin C 1mg (1%)
Calcium 20mg (2%)
Iron 1mg (6%)
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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Recipe originally shared on December 9, 2013. Updated September 2020.