Sparkling Jeweled Coconut Drops Recipe: Sweet Island Gems

Sweet, pillowy coconut drops with a jeweled coconut drops recipe that sparkles like edible gems are about to become your new favorite treat.

These delicate morsels blend tropical richness with vibrant colors and textures.

Each bite promises a delightful balance of sweetness and coconut creamy essence.

Studded with colorful dried fruits and nuts, they shimmer like precious little confections.

The recipe comes together effortlessly, requiring just a few simple ingredients.

Elegant enough for special occasions yet simple to make at home, these coconut drops will definitely impress anyone who tastes them.

Grab your mixing bowl and let’s create some delicious magic.

Storage Solutions for Soft and Sweet Cookies

• Refrigerate Wisely: Store unbaked dough in an airtight container for up to 3 days, keeping it chilled to maintain texture and prevent spoilage.
• Freeze for Future Enjoyment: Wrap shaped cookie balls in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags. These delightful treats can stay frozen for 2-3 months, ready to bake whenever a sweet craving hits.
• Cool and Store Carefully: After completely cooling, layer cookies between parchment paper in a sealed container. They'll stay fresh at room temperature for 5-7 days, maintaining their delicate coconut crunch.
• Keep Preserves Fresh: Store filled cookies in a single layer to prevent sticking. Refrigerate if using fruit preserves to extend their shelf life and keep the cookies looking gorgeous and tasting vibrant.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 157 kcal

Servings: 22

Jeweled Coconut Drops Ingredient List

• Butter: Provides rich, velvety texture and deep flavor foundation for cookies.
• Cream Cheese: Adds tangy smoothness and helps create tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Sugar: Delivers sweetness and helps achieve golden, crisp cookie edges.

• Egg Yolk: Binds ingredients and contributes to soft, luxurious cookie consistency.
• Orange Juice: Introduces bright citrus notes and helps balance overall sweetness.
• Almond Extract: Delivers sophisticated, nutty undertone that complements coconut.

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates cookie's foundational structure and ensures proper texture.
• Baking Powder: Helps cookies rise and develop light, airy consistency.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances other flavor profiles.
• Coconut: Provides signature tropical crunch, texture, and sweet-nutty dimension.
• Preserves: Adds fruity center and decorative, glossy finish to completed cookies.

Equipment for Decorating and Baking Coconut Drops

• Electric mixer or stand mixer: Essential for creaming butter, cream cheese, and sugar until light and fluffy.
• Wooden spoon: Perfect for creating indentations in cookies and checking doneness.
• Large mixing bowls: Needed for mixing dry ingredients and creamed mixture.
• Whisk: Great for combining flour, baking powder, and salt smoothly.
• Baking sheets: Flat surfaces for baking cookies evenly.
• Wire cooling rack: Helps cookies cool and set properly after baking.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Precise measurements ensure recipe success.
• Tablespoon: Helps shape consistent cookie portions.

How to Make Jeweled Coconut Drop Cookies

• Dough Preparation

Blend softened butter, cream cheese, and sugar until airy and smooth. Mix in egg yolk, tangy orange juice, and almond essence for a rich flavor profile.

• Flour Fusion

Combine dry ingredients separately, then gently incorporate into the creamy mixture. Fold in a generous amount of coconut flakes. Chill the dough to firm it up.

• Shaping Magic

Roll chilled dough into petite spheres, coating each in a shower of coconut. Arrange on baking sheets, leaving space between each cookie.

• Indentation Technique

Create a gentle well in the center of each cookie using a wooden spoon handle. This will become the perfect pocket for sweet preserves.

• Baking Brilliance

Slide the cookies into a preheated oven. Bake until the edges turn a delicate golden brown. Let them rest briefly before carefully expanding the centers.

• Final Flourish

Transfer cookies to cooling racks. Once completely cool, fill the centers with vibrant, fruity preserves for a burst of color and flavor.

Customize These Drops for Color and Flavor

• Chill dough for at least 30 minutes to make shaping easier and prevent spreading during baking.
• Experiment with different fruit preserves like raspberry, apricot, or homemade marmalade to create unique flavor combinations.
• Toast coconut flakes lightly before rolling dough balls for a deeper, nuttier flavor and extra crunch.
• Prepare dough balls in advance and freeze up to 2 weeks, then bake directly from frozen state, adding 1-2 extra minutes to baking time.

How to Present These Eye-Catching Cookies

• Serve with Sweet Companions: Pair these delicate coconut drops with a hot cup of Earl Grey tea or a creamy cappuccino for a delightful afternoon treat.
• Garnish with Festive Flair: Sprinkle powdered sugar over the cookies or drizzle melted dark chocolate across the top for an elegant, eye-catching presentation.
• Create a Dessert Platter: Arrange the jeweled coconut drops alongside fresh berries, almond biscotti, and a small dish of whipped cream for a stunning dessert spread that will impress guests at any gathering.

Exotic Coconut Drops

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• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 22 1x

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Description

Sweet coconut drops from Jamaica boast a delightful blend of shredded coconut, sugar, and spices. Locals savor these traditional treats, which combine island ingredients with simple preparation for a delectable dessert you’ll crave.

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Ingredients

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• 3.75 cups (945 ml) sweetened shredded coconut
• 1.25 cups (156 grams) all-purpose flour
• 3 oz (85 grams) cream cheese, softened
• ⅓ cup (75 grams) butter, softened
• ¾ cup (150 grams) sugar
• 1 large egg yolk, room temperature
• 2 tsps orange juice
• 1 tsp almond extract
• 1.5 tsps baking powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 cup (240 ml) seedless raspberry preserves, warmed

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Instructions

1. Whip Mixture: Cream unsalted butter, cream cheese, and granulated sugar in a mixer until light and fluffy, approximately 5-7 minutes, creating an airy foundation for the cookies.
2. Flavor Integration: Blend egg yolk, orange juice, and almond extract into the creamed mixture until completely smooth, infusing the dough with citrusy and nutty undertones.
3. Dry Ingredient Preparation: Sift together all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl, ensuring even distribution of leavening agents.
4. Dough Formation: Gradually fold dry ingredients into the creamed mixture, mixing until a uniform, cohesive dough emerges, then gently incorporate shredded coconut for texture and flavor.
5. Chill and Prepare: Refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes to firm up, then preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) while preparing ungreased baking sheets.
6. Shaping and Coating: Roll chilled dough into compact spheres, thoroughly coating each ball in remaining coconut to create a textured exterior with a crisp finish.
7. Forming and Baking: Arrange coconut-covered dough balls on baking sheets, making a deep center indentation with a wooden spoon handle, then bake for 8-10 minutes until edges turn light golden brown.
8. Cooling and Finishing: Allow cookies to rest briefly on the baking sheet, then transfer to wire cooling racks and carefully re-create center indentations if needed, filling completely cooled cookies with fruit preserves for a jewel-like appearance.

Notes

• Butter Temperature Matters: Ensure butter is at room temperature for optimal creaming, which helps create a light, fluffy texture in the cookie base.
• Chill for Success: Refrigerating the dough allows coconut to hydrate and prevents cookies from spreading too much during baking, maintaining their perfect shape.
• Rolling Technique: Use light, gentle pressure when rolling dough balls to prevent compacting, keeping the cookies tender and delicate.
• Preserve Placement: Wait until cookies are completely cool before adding fruit preserves to prevent soggy centers and maintain a crisp cookie texture.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Caribbean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 22
• Calories: 157
• Sugar: 7 g
• Sodium: 35 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 18 mg