Description
Coconut Meringue Cookies are airy, crisp meringue cookies studded with sweetened shredded coconut for a light, tropical-inspired treat. With their balance of fluffy texture, chewy coconut, and subtle sweetness, they’re perfect for holiday baking, party favors, or a guilt-free dessert. These cookies deliver maximum flavor with minimal effort and can easily be customized with chocolate chips, almonds, or citrus zest.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Recipe:
- 3 large egg whites
- ¾ cup granulated sugar (superfine preferred)
- 1½ cups sweetened shredded coconut
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Optional Add-Ins:
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- ¼ cup mini chocolate chips
- ¼ cup chopped toasted almonds
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 250°F (120°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a clean, dry bowl, beat egg whites and a pinch of salt until frothy.
- Gradually add sugar, one tablespoon at a time, while continuing to beat until glossy and stiff peaks form.
- Gently fold in shredded coconut and any optional add-ins (chocolate chips, almonds, or zest) with a spatula.
- Drop spoonfuls of the mixture onto prepared baking sheets, spacing them evenly.
- Bake for 40–45 minutes, until the cookies are crisp and lightly golden.
- Cool completely on a wire rack before serving or storing.
Notes
- Avoid overmixing to maintain a light, airy texture.
- Add almond or citrus extracts for deeper flavor.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Do not refrigerate it causes moisture absorption and softens the cookies.
- For longer storage, freeze in a single layer for up to 1 month.
- For a vegan version, replace egg whites with aquafaba (chickpea brine).
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American / Tropical-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: ~60
- Sugar: ~8 g
- Sodium: ~25 mg
- Fat: ~3 g
- Saturated Fat: ~2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: ~0.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: ~8 g
- Fiber: ~1 g
- Protein: ~1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg