These Coconut Sugar Cookies are soft, chewy, and full of delicate coconut flavor. These delicious cookies are loaded with coconut goodness and no refined sugar! They’re gluten-free and vegan too!
Wow, it’s been a while since I posted a recipe! I’m getting nearer and nearer to the end of my time in London, and it’s making me sad! Though I miss my family, friends, and my kitchen immensely, my time abroad has been indescribable, and I’m going to miss it everyday.
On the plus side…when I get back, I’ll have tons of new recipes to share with you as my recipe notebook has been growing incredibly rapidly since I’ve been without a kitchen. I’m beyond excited to be able to bake again, and create tons of new treats to share with you guys. As much as I’ve loved sharing my travel updates, I miss sharing homemade baked goods a ton.
These coconut sugar cookies are for the true coconut aficionados in your life – they’re made with coconut oil, coconut sugar, coconut flour, and coconut milk. The frosting uses coconut cream, coconut oil, coconut milk, and toasted coconut. That a lot of coconut, but the flavor comes across as more delicate coconut flavor, not the artificial coconut flavor that so many of us are used to. This is a coconut cookie, no doubt about it, but the coconut flavor is very naturally sweet and tastes truly of fresh coconut.
I used coconut sugar in these cookies, which contribute to the dark color of them. If you can’t find coconut sugar, or don’t want to buy it just for this recipe, you can use regular granulated sugar instead, and the cookies will be lighter in color and may spread a little bit more. They would still be absolutely delicious though!
I adapted this recipe from Yammie’s Gluten Freedom (one of my favorite GF dessert blogs!), and though I changed her recipe a bit, she discusses a lot of possible substitutions for various fats and flours, so head over to her post if you’re curious about changing some of the ingredients to fit your needs.
I’m going to be gone for the next few weeks (traveling to Marrakech, Madrid, Barcelona, and Florence!) but I have posts scheduled to go up while I’m gone! Hope you’re all enjoying the gorgeous spring weather (as long as your city is lucky enough to be warming up, finally!), and I’ll talk to you all soon! xoxo
Coconut Sugar Cookies (Gluten-Free, Vegan, Refined Sugar-Free)
Ingredients
- 1 cup coconut sugar or regular sugar if you can't find coconut sugar
- ½ cup coconut oil
- ⅓ cup coconut milk or almond milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ¾ cup white rice flour
- ⅓ cup coconut flour or another 3/4 cup more rice flour
- 2 tablespoons potato starch
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
For the glaze
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil melted and cooled slightly
- ¼ cup coconut cream*
- 2-4 tablespoons honey sweeten to taste
- Coconut milk if needed
- Toasted coconut if desired
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix together the sugar and coconut oil. Add the milk and vanilla and mix until well combined. Stir together the dry ingredients in separate bowl and add to the wet ingredients. Stir until combined. Dough should be moist and fluffy.
- Allow to sit on the counter for a few minutes while you preheat the oven to 350ºF.
- Place rounded tablespoonfuls on greased or parchment lined baking sheets and bake for about 10 minutes or until the cookies are set in the middle is reached. Cool completely before frosting.
For the glaze
- Mix together coconut cream and coconut oil. Add in the honey to taste. Whisk together, adding milk until you reach the desired consistency. Spoon glaze over cooled cookies, top with toasted coconut if desired.
Recipe Notes
*Coconut cream is the creamy top part when you open a can of coconut milk when you haven't shaken or stirred it yet. Let a can of coconut milk sit in the refrigerator overnight, open the can (without shaking it), and measure out 1/4 cup of the coconut cream from the top.
Recipe adapted from Yammie’s Gluten Freedom
Enjoy this recipe? Check out some of my similar favorites below!
Paleo Almond Coconut Chocolate Chunk Cookies
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Jules @ WolfItDown says
April 14, 2014 at 12:56 amSo…coconut eh? Haha, love how many types of it you’ve used here, the cookies look absolutely fabulous!
It sounds like you have had a great time here in the UK and I bet you have tons of inspiration to take with you to San Diego :D I moved to Glasgow from Norway about six years ago, and love it here! Of course I miss home from time to time, but isn’t there just so much to get up to over here?! Enjoy the rest of your stay missy, and keep up the great work with your blog, it looks lovely :D x
Marie @ Little Kitchie says
April 14, 2014 at 3:37 amI’m loving all of this coconut!! These look fantastic. Enjoy every last minute of your time there!!!
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness says
April 14, 2014 at 5:13 amI ADORE coconut sugar…and I never thought of using it in sugar cookies! These are perfect, from the cookie to the glaze! Pinned:)
Consuelo @ Honey & Figs says
April 14, 2014 at 6:42 amAhh so much coconut here, these are like a dream!
Hope you enjoy your time in Europe! xx
Angie (@angiesrecipess) says
April 14, 2014 at 7:07 amThis is so coconut-y and awesome!
Beth @ bethcakes says
April 14, 2014 at 10:38 amCannot get over all the coconut in these cookies!! I’m weird and don’t like flaked coconut, but I’m all about some toasted coconut and almost died at the sight of all it in these photos! Have fun traveling!
Nicole ~ Cooking for Keeps says
April 14, 2014 at 11:24 amBeautiful! And you can NEVER have enough coconut! Gots to try these. Have so much on your trips!!
Ashley says
April 14, 2014 at 11:25 amHave so much fun during the last of your time overseas!! Enjoy every second : ) And these cookies sound delicious … I have yet to try using coconut sugar but keep meaning to!
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says
April 14, 2014 at 6:16 pmSO COCONUTTY!!! I love the toasted coconut on top and that these are GF and vegan and refined sugar free! how cool!
Connie | URBAN BAKES says
April 14, 2014 at 8:42 pmThese look lovely. I’ve never used coconut sugar; I’ve gotta try this. And I’m excited to see what’s to come when you return :)
Joanne says
April 15, 2014 at 4:59 amI’ve been on a coconut spree lately, and these cookies sound like they’d be perfect to keep that streak going!!
Tiffany @ Triple Crème Decadence says
April 16, 2014 at 2:17 pmThese look and sound incredible! Coconut on coconut– I love it! Beautiful photography.
Eric says
April 16, 2014 at 2:48 pmWow these cookies look and sound amazing. I cant wait to try these. Thanks for sharing.
Kathi @ Deliciously Yum! says
April 16, 2014 at 3:04 pmCoconut, coconut, coconut – so much of the good stuff. I love it! These are some gorgeous cookies. They will definitely be added to my list of goodies to try!
Bianca @ Confessions of a Chocoholic says
April 17, 2014 at 7:09 amThese look INSANELY DELICIOUS. I’m definitely a coconut aficionado and would be all over these babies!
Kira - The HealthAble Old Soul says
April 19, 2014 at 8:08 amThank so much for the coconut cream tip. I was always wondering if people buy or if you can make it!
Kare @ Kitchen Treaty says
May 13, 2014 at 6:18 amGah, these look incredible! Coconut everywhere – a very good thing. :) Happy travels!
Amy says
November 23, 2014 at 7:21 pmI made these this morning. I don’t think they’re going to last very long though cause they’re so delicious. Might have to make another batch tomorrow!
Rachel Conners says
November 24, 2014 at 8:19 amSo glad that you like them, Amy!!
Desert Rose says
December 21, 2014 at 1:56 pmThese look great and I’d like to try them. However I have an intolerance to potato thus can not use potato starch (Or tapioca starch. Which is the best substitute?
Thanks!
Rachel Conners says
December 22, 2014 at 7:55 amHi Desert, in that case, cornstarch would likely be the best replacement. Enjoy, and happy holidays! :)
Ashley says
December 21, 2016 at 5:25 pmSwapping my traditional sugar cookies for these this Christmas. Thanks for the great recipe!
Rachel says
December 21, 2016 at 9:44 pmSo glad you like them! Thanks, Ashley.