COCONUT CHEWIES — A detailed, step-by-step guide

If you love coconut’s tropical snap but want a soft, gooey bite instead of a dry cookie, these Coconut Chewies are for you — caramel-like, tender in the middle, with a lightly crisp edge. They’re simple to make, travel well, and pair beautifully with coffee or a glass of milk. Below is a unique, dependable recipe plus troubleshooting, variations, and storage tips so your batch comes out perfect every time.

Why these are “chewies”

The secret to chewy texture is a combination of moist shredded coconut and a binder that remains tender after baking. This recipe uses sweetened condensed milk for chewiness and shine, a little butter and egg for structure, and just enough flour to keep them from spreading into a pancake.

Yield & timing

• Makes: about 24 bite-sized cookies (or 12 large)
• Prep: 15 minutes
• Bake: 12–15 minutes
• Total: ~30 minutes

Ingredients

• 3 cups (240 g) sweetened shredded coconut (not desiccated; flakes are fine)
• 1 cup (240 g) sweetened condensed milk (one standard 14 oz/396 g can uses ~¾–1 cup; use 1 cup for chewier result)
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• ¼ tsp fine sea salt
• ¾ cup (95 g) all-purpose flour (see note for gluten-free option)
• 1 tsp baking powder
• Optional: ¼ cup (50 g) light brown sugar (adds depth — omit if you prefer less sweet)
• Optional mix-ins: ½ cup (85 g) mini chocolate chips, ½ cup chopped macadamias, or ¼ cup shredded unsweetened coconut to sprinkle on top

Equipment

• Mixing bowls (one large)
• Whisk and rubber spatula or wooden spoon
• Baking sheet(s) lined with parchment paper or silicone mats
• Medium cookie scoop (1 tbsp) or tablespoon + offset spatula
• Cooling rack

Method — step by step

1 — Preheat & prep

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment or a silicone mat. If you want perfectly round cookies, use a small ice cream scoop or a tablespoon to portion.

2 — Mix wet ingredients

In a large bowl whisk together the melted butter, eggs, sweetened condensed milk, and vanilla until smooth and slightly glossy. If using brown sugar, whisk it in here so it dissolves a bit.

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