These caramel coconut cookies are buttery, chewy, and topped with toasted coconut, gooey caramel, and a drizzle of melted chocolate in every bite. If you love homemade Samoa style cookies, this easy recipe comes together with simple ingredients and tastes just like the bakery favorite.
Want to add some extra delicious treats to go with your Caramel Coconut Cookies? Consider our French Macarons, Brownie Cookies, or Lemon Bars to create a full dessert selection!
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Substitutions
- Dairy-Free - Use coconut oil instead of butter, almond milk instead of milk, and brown sugar for richness.
- Gluten-Free - Substitute traditional flour with gluten-free cake flour and add a teaspoon of baking soda to the mixture.
- Vegan-Friendly - Choose plant-based caramel and skip milk, opting for brown sugar instead of regular sugar.
Storage
- Freeze cooled cookie dough balls on a cooling rack, then transfer to a refrigerator freezer bag for up to 2-3 months.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week, placing a slice of bread to maintain chewiness.
Ingredients
- butter
- sugar
- flour
- baking powder
- vanilla extract
- milk
- sweetened coconut
- caramel
- milk
- baking chips
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350F and prepare a baking sheet by using a baking mat or parchment paper.
In a large bowl, mix butter, sugar, and mix until well combined. Add flour, baking powder, vanilla extract, milk, and mix until well combined. The final cookie dough will look like this:
Place parchment paper on table, place cookie dough on top, followed by another sheet of parchment paper and roll out until the desired thickness:
Cut cookies into shapes and place on pan and bake for 9-11 minutes or until golden brown.:
In another baking sheet, place coconut and spread out to evenly cook it. Bake for 10 minutes In a microwave-safe bowl, add caramel and milk and warm for 15-20 seconds:
Add coconut into the caramel bowl and mix. Place on top of the cookie:
Melt chocolate and cover the bottom of the cookie with chocolate:
Drizzle chocolate over the cookie generously, allow to sit, and serve:
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are more delicious cookie recipes that you should try:
- Snickerdoodle Eggnog Cookies
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- Brownie Meringue Cookies | 5 Ingredients ONLY
Caramel Coconut Cookies Recipe
Ingredients
For the Cookies
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon milk
For the Topping
- 1 (14 oz) bag sweetened coconut
- 5 oz soft caramel
- 1 tablespoon milk
- ⅓ cup chocolate baking chips or candy melts
Instructions
For the Cookies
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugar until smooth and creamy.
- Add the flour, baking powder, vanilla extract, and milk. Mix until a soft dough forms.
- Place the dough between 2 sheets of parchment paper and roll to about ¼-inch thick.
- Cut into circles, then cut out the center of each cookie to create a ring shape. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 9–11 minutes, or until lightly golden around the edges. Let cool completely.
For the Coconut Topping
- Spread the shredded coconut onto a baking sheet. Bake for 8–10 minutes, stirring halfway through, until lightly toasted.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, add the caramels and milk. Heat in 15–20 second intervals, stirring between each, until smooth.
- Stir the toasted coconut into the melted caramel until fully coated.
- Melt the chocolate chips or candy melts until smooth.
- Spread a thin layer of melted chocolate on the bottom of each cooled cookie.
- Spoon the caramel coconut mixture over the tops of the cookies and gently press into place.
- Drizzle the remaining melted chocolate over each cookie.
- Let the chocolate set before serving.
Watch The Recipe Video!
Bonnie says
Great recipe! Keep it up!
Lainey says
Thank you so much for your kind words, Bonnie!
Irven says
We've got more coconuts than we know what to do with in this country! I absolutely have to give this recipe a try. 😄
Elie W says
These cookies were addicting. Has a lot of steps but worth it!
Lainey says
Thank you for trying out this cookie recipe, Elie. It seems that you're a diligent baker. Keep it up! 🙂