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Home » Recipes » Cookies

Lemon Coconut White Chocolate Cookies

July 18, 2022 by brooke 34 Comments

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These lemon coconut white chocolate cookies combine all the tang that a lemon brings with the sweetness from both the coconut and white chocolate. It’s such a delighful spring and summer treat!

Lemon coconut white chocolate cookies layered with lemons near by

These lemon coconut white chocolate cookies started with my staple lemon cookie recipe that I've used for years, but taken up a notch with some coconut and white chocolate to make it an even better cookie. Every year when the weather starts to warm up and the flowers start to pop I crave all things lemon.

Other lemon recipes that are some of my favorites are Blackberry Lemon Bread, or easy Lemon Cooler Cookies that use lemonade powder for rolling, or Luscious Lemon Sour Cream Pie that we make a few times every summer.

lemon coconut white chocolate cookies on a blue plate with lemon slices

WHY YOU WILL LOVE THESE COOKIES

BURSTING WITH LEMON FLAVOR- Using both fresh lemon juice and zest gives these cookies so much lemon flavor.

CRISPY EDGES AND CHEWY CENTER- My absolute favorite texture for a cookie is a little bit of the buttery crisp edge with the chewy, melt in your mouth center.

NO CHILLING REQUIRED- These cookies can be made in less than 30 minutes time!

INGREDIENT NOTES

  • Butter- For these cookies you will actually want your butter to be cold.
  • Egg- I like to take my egg out of the fridge when I take my butter out. It doesn't need to be room temperature for these cookies.
  • Coconut Extract- I love using this to help give extra coconut flavor, but you are welcome to use vanilla if you prefer.
  • Lemon juice and zest- If you're worried about getting enough juice from your lemon, toss it in the microwave for about 10 seconds and roll it around. This helps get the juices flowing.
  • Flour- If possible, always weigh your flour so that you have the correct amount. If you don't have a scale scoop it out with a spoon so it doesn't compact too much.
  • White Chocolate- I have used both chunks and chips for these cookies and they turn out great either way.
  • Coconut- I use sweetened shredded coconut, but unsweetened would be fine too.
ingredients needed to make lemon coconut white chocolate cookies.

STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS

STEP ONE: Preheat oven to 350 F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.

STEP TWO: Place the cold butter and sugar in a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Beat on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.Add egg and mix on low until smooth, about 30 seconds. Beat in vanilla, lemon juice and zest.

butter and eggs mixed together.
adding dry ingredients

STEP THREE: Slowly mix in flour, salt, soda and powder, being careful not to over mix. I usually stop when I still have some flour remnants around the bowl.

STEP FOUR: Fold in white chocolate chips and coconut. Scoop the dough into large balls, I like to use a 3 tablespoon cookie scoop for these.

dough all blended together
cookie dough balls before baking.

STEP FIVE: Place 5-6 cookie dough balls on your lined baking sheet. Bake the cookies for 14-15 minutes. You're looking for a nice light golden brown around the edges. Let them sit on then pan after baking to finish cooking slightly in the middle.

cookies on cooling rack, one bite missing

EXPERT BAKING TIPS

I have given both cups and grams as measurements. Grams will be more precise, especially when measuring flour. If you don’t have a kitchen scale, no problem! Just lightly spoon flour into your measuring cup to insure its not packed in there. Light and fluffy is the key.

If your lemon doesn't seem to be very soft, simply microwave it for about 10 seconds and roll it around to help get the juices flowing.

FAQ

If I don't like coconut can I leave that out in this recipe?

Yes, these cookies are great as a lemon white chocolate cookie also. Simply omit the coconut flakes and use vanilla extract in the dough.

Why did my cookies turn out flat?

The main reason cookies turn out flat is that either the butter was too soft, or there wasn't enough flour in the dough.

Do I need to grease a cookie sheet before baking?

No, greasing a cookie sheet isn't necessary for baking these cookies. But I do like to use parchment paper on my baking sheets because this does help the cookies from spreading.

lemon coconut white chocolate cookies in 2 stacks side by side

STORING AND FREEZING

Lemon coconut white chocolate cookies will remain fresh if stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days. You can also prep the cookie dough in advance and store it in the fridge for about a week.

FREEZING

You can freeze your cookies in an airtight container for 2-3 months with them remaining fresh. You can also freeze the cookie dough balls if you would like to bake them one at a time. 

a bite missing from one lemon coconut white chocolate cookie.

OTHER POPULAR COOKIE RECIPES TO TRY

Coffee Toffee Cookies

Key Lime Cookies

Raspberry White Chocolate Cookies

For more yummy treats follow me on instagram @thesaltedsweets. And be sure to tag me and comment below if you make them and love them as much as I do. 

Make sure to leave a star review below!

lemon coconut white chocolate cookies with some sliced lemons on the side.

Lemon Coconut White Chocolate Cookies

brooke
These lemon coconut white chocolate cookies combine all the tang that a lemon brings with the sweetness from both the coconut and white chocolate. It's such a delighful spring and summer treat!
5 from 20 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 12 mins
Total Time 22 mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12
Calories 296 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • ½ cup butter slightly chilled
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • ½ tsp coconut extract can use vanilla
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice about half a lemon
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest about a whole lemon
  • 1½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 cup white chocolate chips or chunks
  • ½ cup sweetened shredded coconut

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350 F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
  • Place the cold butter and sugar in a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Beat on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
  • Add egg and mix on low until smooth, about 30 seconds. Beat in coconut extract, lemon juice and zest.
  • Slowly mix in flour, salt, soda and powder, being careful not to over mix. I usually stop when I still have some flour remnants around the bowl.
  • Fold in white chocolate chips and coconut.
  • Scoop the dough into large balls, I like to use a 3 tablespoon cookie scoop for these.
  • Place 6-8 cookie dough balls on your lined baking sheet. Bake the cookies for 12-15 minutes. You're looking for a nice light golden brown around the edges. Let them sit on then pan after baking to finish cooking slightly in the middle.

Notes

The butter and eggs should still be slightly chilled from the fridge. I try to let them sit out for about 15 minutes before I begin my cookie making! The chilled butter will help hold these cookies together more.
Using the coconut extract helps to give a coconut flavor to the dough. But if you don't have that these are really good with vanilla extract also.
I have given both cups and grams as measurements. Grams will be more precise, especially when measuring flour. If you don’t have a kitchen scale, no problem! Just lightly spoon flour into your measuring cup to insure its not packed in there. Light and fluffy is the key.
Store these cookies in an airtight container to keep fresh.

Nutrition

Calories: 296kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 3gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 39mgSodium: 257mgPotassium: 83mgFiber: 1gSugar: 27gVitamin A: 264IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 48mgIron: 1mg
Keyword coconut, cookies, lemon, white chocolate
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Emily

    May 12, 2021 at 12:53 pm

    Can’t wait to make these! Thanks!

    Reply
  2. Rebecca

    June 07, 2021 at 4:46 pm

    5 stars
    These are absolutely delicious. I added some sliced almonds and some flake salt on top. So good!! Thank you!!

    Reply
    • brooke

      June 08, 2021 at 6:20 pm

      Thank you so much Rebecca! I am so glad you liked them, and love the idea of the almonds on top. And of course you know how I feel about salting my cookies!;)

      Reply
    • Allison Watson

      December 05, 2021 at 4:40 pm

      5 stars
      These cookies scream summer! I eat them frozen and they are so yummy.

      Reply
    • Rhonda

      June 15, 2022 at 11:04 am

      5 stars
      These are delicious and perfect for summer and a cup of coffee.

      Reply
      • brooke

        June 15, 2022 at 8:19 pm

        Yay!! Thank you so much for trying them!

        Reply
      • Tressa

        July 24, 2022 at 6:13 pm

        5 stars
        Just made these, and used GF flour, but holy moly these are incredible! The flavor combination comes through amazingly in these cookies!

        Reply
  3. Amanda

    June 14, 2021 at 1:35 pm

    5 stars
    I have made these 5x already for 5 different gatherings because they were so good! I added coconut on top and a little fleur de sel on top prior to baking. Wonderful spring/summer cookie recipe that comes together quickly!

    Reply
    • brooke

      June 14, 2021 at 5:40 pm

      Thank you so much Amanda!! I am so happy to hear that you love them as much as I do!!

      Reply
  4. Jamie

    June 22, 2021 at 2:32 pm

    5 stars
    So easy and so yummy! I love all things lemon, thanks for a great recipe!

    Reply
    • brooke

      June 22, 2021 at 6:40 pm

      Thanks for trying them! I'm so happy you loved them!!

      Reply
  5. Carol

    July 06, 2021 at 5:06 pm

    5 stars
    Great recipe! So glad I tried them! Sure to be a favorite! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • brooke

      July 08, 2021 at 2:15 pm

      Thank you Carol! So happy you loved them!

      Reply
    • Bekah

      August 30, 2021 at 10:40 am

      Made these twice in one weekend! Everyone loved them and said they tasted like they came from a bakery — Almost like white chocolate chip macadamia nut but better.

      Reply
  6. Sandy

    July 29, 2021 at 4:17 pm

    5 stars
    These were fantastic! Such a great mix with the lemon and coconut together! Thanks for a great new recipe to add to my rotation!

    Reply
  7. Dayna Mattsson

    September 01, 2021 at 5:50 pm

    5 stars
    My youngest loves both lemon and white chocolate things. So I couldn’t wait to try these. She loved them and so did I. I will be doubling the recipe next time so we have more. Thank you Brooke for another yummy treat!

    Reply
  8. Shayna Louk

    October 18, 2021 at 10:30 pm

    5 stars
    I’ve made this for office friends and they are begging me to make more! So delicious!

    Reply
    • brooke

      October 18, 2021 at 11:08 pm

      Thanks Shayna!! So glad everyone loved them! xx

      Reply
  9. Kallie

    November 07, 2021 at 4:25 pm

    5 stars
    These are AMAZING. If you don’t like lemon flavoured desserts, you’ll like these. And if you like lemon flavoured desserts, you won’t want anything but these. A staple in our family now!

    Reply
  10. Nicole

    November 07, 2021 at 4:44 pm

    5 stars
    I was sure about this combination but it is brilliant! Super tasty. Shared the recipe with my mom and she loved them too

    Reply
    • brooke

      November 07, 2021 at 5:24 pm

      So glad you both loved them! They are such a simple and flavorful cookie. Thanks Nicole!

      Reply
  11. Nicole

    November 07, 2021 at 4:48 pm

    I wasn’t sure about this combination but it is brilliant. These cookies are simple to make and so tasty.

    Reply
  12. Davis family

    November 07, 2021 at 8:31 pm

    5 stars
    We keep these in the freezer to have on hand at all times. They are delightful.

    Reply
  13. Tara

    November 07, 2021 at 8:34 pm

    5 stars
    Lemon and coconut are one of my favorite combos, and these nailed it! Delicious!

    Reply
  14. Katy

    November 07, 2021 at 9:25 pm

    5 stars
    These are delicious! They are chewy and crunchy. The lemon and coconut extract bring these from a sugar cookie flavor to fresh and flavorful. 😋

    Reply
    • Marisa

      November 10, 2021 at 4:34 pm

      5 stars
      One of my favorite flavor combinations!! I made them 2 days in a row because they got eaten so fast!!! Love love love these!

      Reply
  15. Kim

    November 08, 2021 at 4:03 am

    5 stars
    Absolutely the best! Look no further, this is the perfect spring/ summer cookie.

    Reply
  16. Hillary

    November 20, 2021 at 2:05 pm

    So fresh and zingy! Not too sweet... just right! The coconut makes it!! These cookie dough balls also freeze well unbaked and then I pop some them in the oven when I want/need to make some fresh cookies.

    Reply
  17. Kim

    April 02, 2022 at 4:49 am

    5 stars
    I am not seeing the gram measurements. Is it bc I am on my phone? Ps still my favorite cookie

    Reply
    • brooke

      April 04, 2022 at 4:10 pm

      I'm so sorry I am just seeing this now. You click on the metric button at the top of the recipe and it will convert it for you!

      Reply
  18. Sarah M.

    April 27, 2022 at 8:54 pm

    Made these tonight for an event and they were stellar! Such an expected little twist with the lemon. Loved!

    Reply
  19. Ali

    July 29, 2022 at 10:03 am

    5 stars
    Yummy!

    Reply
  20. Katharine K Szlabonyi

    August 16, 2022 at 12:25 pm

    These melt in your mouth!

    Reply
  21. Michele

    October 10, 2022 at 3:56 pm

    5 stars
    These are my new favorite cookie! Thanks for posting this delicious recipe!

    Reply

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Hi! I'm Brooke,

Welcome to the SALTED sweets! I am a self-taught baker, dessert lover, and mom of three. My hope is to share my love language of sweet and simple baked goods with you. More about me...

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