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Guava Coconut Cookies are sweet, toasty, and so yummy! Made with toasted coconut and guava, this easy Cookies has an irresistible tropical flavor with the perfect texture. Share these cookies for dessert, and everyone will be asking you for the recipe!
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❓ What is Guava?
Guava is a tropical fruit found in Central and South America and the Caribbean! There are actually several different kinds of guava fruit, but the kind you will see most often on the market is apple guava.
Guava is very popular in the Caribbean and Latin America for making spreadable condiments like jellies, homemade jam, and preserves, because of its naturally high pectin levels.
You will also see it made into Guava paste, which is what we use in this recipe. Also known as guayabate or goiabada, guava paste has the most delicious texture and flavor. It is a puree of guava fruit and sugar with a consistency similar to, but thicker than, fruit roll-ups!
What does guava taste like?
The flavor and texture of guava actually varies between the different varieties, but one thing all guava fruits have in common is their sweetness.
Guava fruit, when ripe and soft, has a sweet, tropical flavor that is sort of like a hybrid between a strawberry and a pear. It's no surprise that guava is a delicious addition to strawberry dessert recipes!
Popular guava paste recipes include guava cheesecake, which is deliciously sweet and similar to a strawberry swirl cheesecake, and guava pastries or cookies. These guava coconut cookies are a perfect example of how to use guava paste.
🍽 Equipment
To make this coconut cookies recipe from scratch, you will need:
- A baking sheet and parchment paper
- Stand mixer or hand mixer
- Your oven
- Optional: Cookie dough scoop and small spatula
You can also toast your own coconut to use in this recipe! If you choose to make your own toasted coconut, you will need a large skillet or an additional baking sheet.
🍪 What ingredients do I need to make guava coconut cookies?
Our guava coconut cookies recipe calls for:
- Egg whites
- Salt
- Sugar
- Unsweetened coconut flakes
- Guava paste
Trust me, use unsweetened coconut flakes and not sweetened! Sweetened coconut flakes will make the cookies too sweet and you won't get the same consistency you would with unsweetened.
Because guava paste is already naturally sweet, unsweetened coconut flakes give this guava cookie recipe the perfect balance.
You will also want to toast your coconut. Although you can buy coconut flakes already toasted in the baking aisle of most grocery stores, I recommend toasting them yourself. It's easy to do and will have a better taste and texture.
Where to Buy Guava Paste
Guava paste is sold at most grocery stores in the international or Hispanic aisle. Look for pasta de guayaba, sold in a block or round container. The most common and popular brands are Iberia, Goya, and Conchita.
Can I use fresh guava pulp instead of guava paste?
Fresh guava pulp will not work for this recipe, as the paste has been treated to reach a certain consistency. Fresh pulp has a totally different texture and taste.
How to Toast Coconut Flakes
For the best flavor in these chewy coconut cookies, toast your coconut flakes! It's very easy to do, and you can toast coconut in the oven or on the stove (my personal preference).
Toasting in the oven:
- Add your coconut flakes to a baking sheet in a thin layer.
- Toast in an oven preheated to 325°F for 5 minutes, then stir the coconut and bake for another 5 minutes.
The cookies will bake at 350°F, so you can do this beforehand and then turn up the temperature.
Toasting on the stove:
- Add your coconut flakes to a skillet over medium-low heat.
- Cook, stirring often, until all coconut flakes are browned and toasty, about 5-10 minutes.
🔪 How to Make Coconut Cookies from Scratch
- Preheat the oven 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, and set aside.
- Add a pinch of salt to your egg whites.
Beat on medium-high speed until it forms soft peaks.
While still mixing, gradually add sugar and then coconut.
Remove from the mixer and fold in the guava paste.
The paste is sticky, so use a spatula to help break apart the pieces. - Using a cookie dough scoop or tablespoon measure, shape the cookies and place them onto the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake at 350°F for 14-16 minutes. Halfway through the baking process, rotate the pan.
- Cool completely on the baking sheet. If you have any stubborn cookies, you can release them from the parchment paper using a small spatula.
For full recipe instructions including exact measurements, check the recipe card below!
⭐ Family Foodie Tips
- Always toast your coconut! It makes such a big difference in flavor and texture. Toasted coconut is delicious! I prefer to toast mine in a skillet on the stove. It's easy, and you can keep an eye on it so it toasts evenly.
- Use unsweetened coconut flakes. Trust me, your cookies will be too sweet and will not have the same consistency if you use sweetened flakes! The balance is just perfect using unsweetened.
👪 How many coconut cookies does this recipe make?
Our guava coconut cookies recipe makes 24 small cookies, so it's perfect for a cookie exchange party or for enjoying as a family all week long.
24 may sound like a lot, but you may even want to double the batch! These cookies are so delicious, they tend to disappear pretty quickly. My family gobbles them up in no time!
If you do double the batch, simply double the ingredients used.
📖 Easy Cookie Recipes
Love this recipe for coconut cookies? Then you are sure to enjoy our other homemade cookie recipes, too! Give these easy cookies a try:
- Copycat Levain Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Greek Wedding Cookies
- Gluten Free Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
- No Bake Pumpkin Cookies (Oatmeal Balls)
- Orange Cardamom Cookies
And I bet you'll love our Key Lime Pie Bars and Carlota de Limón, too!
Craving more tropical flavors? Our Frozen Tropical Fruit Rum Cocktail will put a smile on your face.
Did you try these homemade cookies? Let us know what you think in the comments below and with a rating! We love to hear from you.
Guava Coconut Cookies Recipe
Equipment
- Mixer (stand or hand mixer)
- Oven
Ingredients
- 2 egg whites
- pinch of salt
- 4 tablespoons sugar
- 1¾ cups unsweetened coconut flakes - toasted and cooled
- 6.50 ounces guava paste - cut into small pieces
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- Add a pinch of salt to 2 egg whites. Beat on medium-high speed until soft peaks form. While the mixer is still on, gradually add 4 tablespoons sugar. Blend in 1 ¾ cups toasted coconut flakes. Remove from the mixer and fold in 6.5 ounces guava paste. The paste is sticky, so be sure to use the spatula to help break apart the pieces.
- Use a medium size cookie dough scoop (2 teaspoons) to shape the cookies.Bake at 350°F for 14-16 minutes, rotating the pan front to back halfway through. Cool completely on the baking sheet.If necessary, use a small metal spatula to help release the cookies from the parchment paper.
Notes
- You can toast coconut flakes on the stove or in the oven. Look for the instructions on How to Toast Coconut Flakes in the post!
- Use unsweetened coconut flakes - not sweetened! Sweetened coconut flakes add too much sweetness to the cookies, while unsweetened balances out the flavor.
Betsy Cohen says
Thanks so much, Sunday Supper Movement for including Guava Coconut Cookies. They are perfect for the holiday season!
Sheila says
Can you use fresh guava pulp??
Em Beitel says
Hi Sheila! We do not recommend using fresh guava pulp, as guava paste has been treated differently and is of a different consistency. Your cookies will not come out right using fresh pulp. Hope this helps!
Dorothy says
These were really good and easy to make. I used about a tablespoon per cookie and made about 21. Will be making them again. Thanks for a good recipe!
Isabel Laessig says
I am so glad you enjoyed them Dorothy! Thanks for sharing your experience with me!