Tropical Paradise: Hawaiian Pineapple Coconut Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

Sweet memories of tropical breezes dance through this delightful hawaiian pineapple coconut thumbprint cookies recipe that brings island vibes right to your kitchen.

Soft, buttery cookies cradle golden pineapple preserves like precious gems nestled in a sandy landscape.

Coconut adds delicate crunch and whispers of faraway beaches with each delectable bite.

Baking these treats feels like a mini vacation, transporting you to sun-drenched shores with minimal effort.

Crisp edges and tender centers make these cookies irresistibly charming and surprisingly simple to create.

Crumbly, melt-in-your-mouth texture promises pure bliss in every single morsel.

You’ll want to share these tropical treasures – or maybe keep them all for yourself.

How To Store Hawaiian Pineapple Coconut Thumbprint Cookies

• Preserve these delightful Hawaiian Pineapple Coconut Thumbprint Cookies with care.
• Store the completely cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, keeping them soft and fresh.
• Layer the cookies between sheets of parchment paper to prevent sticking and maintain their delicate coconut coating.
• Refrigerate the cookies if you've used fresh pineapple jam, extending their shelf life to 7 days.
• For longer storage, freeze the baked cookies in a sealed freezer-safe container for up to 3 months, ensuring they're individually wrapped to prevent freezer burn and maintain their crisp texture.

What Goes Well With Hawaiian Pineapple Coconut Thumbprint Cookies

• Tropical Cocktail Companion: Pair these Hawaiian thumbprint cookies with a refreshing piña colada, blending the cookie's coconut notes with a matching rum-based cocktail that echoes the tropical pineapple jam filling.
• Afternoon Tea Delight: Serve alongside a light, fragrant jasmine green tea that complements the sweet, buttery cookie texture and provides a delicate balance to the rich coconut coating.
• Creamy Coffee Match: Enjoy with a smooth Hawaiian Kona coffee, whose mild, slightly nutty flavor will enhance the cookie's sweetness and provide a warm, comforting contrast to the fruity pineapple center.
• Dessert Wine Elegance: Select a sweet Moscato d'Asti, whose light, sparkling nature and subtle fruit notes will beautifully highlight the cookie's tropical ingredients without overwhelming its delicate flavors.

Flavor Swaps For Hawaiian Pineapple Coconut Thumbprint Cookies

• Tropical Fusion Cookies: Swap pineapple jam with passion fruit preserves for an extra zesty tropical flavor profile that brings Caribbean sunshine to your baking.
• Macadamia Nut Crunch Variation: Finely chop macadamia nuts and mix into the coconut coating for added texture and authentic Hawaiian-inspired crunch.
• Rum-Infused Island Cookies: Add a small splash of coconut rum to the dough for a subtle adult-friendly flavor that enhances the tropical essence of the cookies.
• Mango Sunshine Version: Replace pineapple jam with smooth mango preserves, creating a golden, sweet center that complements the coconut coating perfectly.

Hawaiian Pineapple Coconut Thumbprint Cookies FAQ Sheet

• What makes these thumbprint cookies Hawaiian-style?

The combination of shredded coconut coating and pineapple jam filling gives these cookies a tropical Hawaiian twist, reminiscent of island flavors and traditional Hawaiian ingredients.

• Can I use fresh pineapple jam instead of store-bought?

While store-bought pineapple jam works best for consistent texture, you can make homemade pineapple jam by cooking fresh pineapple with sugar until it reaches a thick, spreadable consistency.

• Why do I need to refrigerate the dough before shaping?

Chilling the dough helps prevent spreading during baking, makes the dough easier to handle, and allows the butter to solidify, which results in a more stable cookie shape with better texture.

• Is the egg white coating necessary for the coconut?

The egg white helps the shredded coconut adhere to the cookie dough and creates a crispy, golden toasted exterior when baked, enhancing both the flavor and appearance of the cookies.

Why Hawaiian Pineapple Coconut Thumbprint Cookies Feel Like A Tropical Treat

• Tropical Twist Delight: These Hawaiian Pineapple Coconut Thumbprint Cookies bring a sunny vacation vibe right to your kitchen with their perfect blend of sweet pineapple and toasted coconut flavors.
• Quick and Easy Baking: Designed for bakers of all skill levels, this recipe takes just about 45 minutes from start to finish, making it an approachable and fun baking project for everyone.
• Crowd-Pleasing Treat: With its irresistible combination of textures – soft cookie base, crunchy coconut coating, and gooey pineapple center – these cookies are guaranteed to win hearts at family gatherings, potlucks, or casual weekend snack times.
• Customizable Creativity: Home bakers can easily swap pineapple jam with other fruit preserves, allowing personal flavor experiments while maintaining the cookie's delightful structure and charm.

Ingredients For Hawaiian Pineapple Coconut Thumbprint Cookies

• Butter: Provides rich, creamy flavor and helps create a tender cookie texture.
• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Sweetens the cookies and helps with caramelization and softness.
• Egg Yolk, Egg White: Adds richness, helps bind ingredients, and assists with coating.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with warm, sweet notes.

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates the cookie's structure and provides a soft, delicate base.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor profile.

• Shredded Coconut: Adds tropical texture, crunch, and signature Hawaiian-inspired flavor.
• Pineapple Jam: Provides sweet-tangy filling with classic Hawaiian fruit essence.

How To Make Hawaiian Pineapple Coconut Thumbprint Cookies

Step 1: Whip Up the Creamy Base

Mix softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar in a large mixing bowl until they become light and airy. Crack in the egg yolk and splash of vanilla extract, blending everything until perfectly smooth.

• Butter
• Granulated sugar
• Brown sugar
• Egg yolk
• Vanilla extract

Step 2: Create the Cookie Dough

Gradually sprinkle flour and salt into the butter mixture. Stir gently until a soft, pillowy dough forms. Wrap the dough and tuck it into the refrigerator for a cool 30-minute rest.

Step 3: Get Ready to Bake

Crank up the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cookie removal.

Step 4: Roll and Coat the Cookies

Scoop out small portions of dough and roll into perfect little balls. Whisk the leftover egg white in a separate bowl. Roll each dough ball in the egg white, then generously coat with shredded coconut.

Step 5: Create Thumbprint Indentations

Place the coconut-covered dough balls on the prepared baking sheet. Leave some breathing room between each cookie. Press your thumb or the back of a spoon into the center of each ball, creating a cozy little pocket.

Step 6: First Baking Round

Slide the baking sheet into the oven and bake for 10 minutes. Pull the cookies out and gently press the centers again to deepen the thumbprint indentation.

Step 7: Fill with Tropical Goodness

Carefully spoon a dollop of pineapple jam into the center of each cookie.

Step 8: Final Bake

Return the cookies to the oven for another 8-10 minutes. Look for golden edges and a beautifully toasted coconut coating.

Step 9: Cool and Enjoy

Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and allow them to cool completely. Get ready to transport your taste buds to a tropical paradise with each delightful bite!

Tips For Perfect Hawaiian Pineapple Coconut Thumbprint Cookies

• Coconut Coating Trick: Roll dough balls in egg white before coating with shredded coconut for a perfectly crispy and golden exterior that sticks beautifully.
• Indentation Technique: Use the back of a spoon instead of your thumb to create more uniform and precise cookie centers, ensuring even pineapple jam distribution.
• Jam Preservation Method: Choose a thick pineapple jam to prevent spreading during baking, which helps maintain the cookie's structural integrity and attractive appearance.
• Temperature Control Tip: Chill the dough for 30 minutes before shaping to prevent spreading and create a more compact, structured cookie with clean edges.
• Versatile Jam Substitution: Swap pineapple jam with other fruit preserves like apricot or passion fruit for a delightful flavor variation that keeps the tropical theme.

Hawaiian Pineapple Coconut Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

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4.6 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Sweet Hawaiian Pineapple Coconut Thumbprint Cookies bring tropical paradise to classic cookie comfort. Buttery coconut-dusted shortbread nestles vibrant pineapple jam, promising delightful island-inspired moments with each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut

Sugars and Sweeteners:

• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup light brown sugar (packed)
• ½ cup pineapple jam (store-bought or homemade)

Binding and Flavoring Ingredients:

• 1 large egg yolk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon lime juice (optional, for extra zing)

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Instructions

1. Craft a luxurious dough foundation by whipping butter with granulated and brown sugars until they transform into a pillowy, aerated mixture. Elegantly fold in egg yolk and vanilla extract, ensuring a smooth, harmonious blend.
2. Gradually introduce flour and salt to the butter mixture, gently folding until a soft, pliable dough emerges. Nestle the dough in refrigeration for half an hour, allowing flavors to meld and texture to stabilize.
3. Ignite the oven to 350F (175C), preparing a parchment-lined baking sanctuary. Tenderly sculpt dough into uniform spheres, each a tablespoon in volume.
4. Whisk the reserved egg white into a silky wash. Lovingly roll each dough sphere through the egg white, then cascade it through a drift of shredded coconut, creating a delicate, crisp exterior.
5. Arrange coconut-kissed orbs on the baking sheet, maintaining generous spacing. Delicately press a signature indentation into each sphere’s center using your thumb or a curved utensil.
6. Dispatch the cookies into the heated oven, allowing them to transform for 10 minutes. Momentarily extract and redefine the indentations, then nestle a droplet of vibrant pineapple jam into each tender hollow.
7. Return the cookies to complete their culinary journey, baking an additional 8-10 minutes until edges acquire a golden hue and coconut reaches a toasted perfection.
8. Permit the cookies to rest briefly on the baking sheet, then transfer to a cooling rack, allowing them to achieve complete structural integrity and optimal flavor development.

Notes

• Maximize coconut flavor by toasting shredded coconut before coating the dough balls, which intensifies the nutty, tropical taste and adds a delightful crunch.
• Ensure uniform cookie size by using a small cookie scoop or measuring tablespoon for consistent shaping and even baking.
• Prevent jam from burning by gently pressing the indentation midway through baking and using a high-quality, thick pineapple jam with low moisture content.
• Accommodate gluten-free diets by substituting all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend, maintaining the cookie’s delicate texture and tropical essence.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Hawaiian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 160
• Sugar: 7 g
• Sodium: 50 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg