Heavenly No-Bake Coconut Pecan Praline Cookies Recipe
Sweet, nutty, and irresistibly creamy no-bake coconut pecan praline cookies are the ultimate dessert for anyone seeking a quick treat without firing up the oven.
These delectable morsels combine the rich, caramel-like flavor of pecans with the tropical sweetness of coconut.
Crafted with minimal ingredients and zero baking time, they’re perfect for spontaneous dessert cravings.
Each bite delivers a delightful crunch from toasted pecans and a smooth, decadent texture that melts in your mouth.
The recipe comes together in mere minutes, making it an ideal solution for last-minute gatherings or when you need a speedy sweet fix.
With their golden-brown hue and tempting aroma, these cookies promise to become a new favorite in your dessert repertoire.
Mixing Up These No-Bake Cookies
Sugar Symphony First, gather your favorite saucepan and combine sugars, creamy milk, golden syrup, and rich butter. Warm everything together, stirring gently until everything melts into a smooth liquid.
Boiling Magic Increase the heat and let the mixture bubble enthusiastically for three full minutes. This is where the magic happens – watch the transformation carefully.
Flavor Explosion Remove the pan from heat and introduce vanilla and a tiny pinch of salt. These secret ingredients will make your taste buds dance.
Tropical Crunch Fold in shredded coconut and crunchy pecans. Stir lovingly until the mixture becomes thick and glossy, creating delightful texture.
Cookie Creation Use a spoon to drop small mounds onto wax paper-lined trays. Each dollop is a little piece of paradise waiting to cool and become a delectable treat.
Cooling Moment Let your sweet clusters set at room temperature or speed things up in the freezer. Once firm, these no-bake wonders are ready to transport you to a tropical flavor adventure.
Tips for Better Coconut Pecan Cookies
Swap pecans for almonds or walnuts to create a nutty twist that matches your taste preferences.
Drizzle melted dark chocolate over cooled cookies for an elegant gourmet touch that elevates the entire dessert.
Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or refrigerate for extended freshness without losing their delightful texture.
Adjust stirring time to control cookie consistency – less stirring creates a softer treat, while longer mixing results in a firmer, more structured cookie.
When and How to Serve Praline Cookies
Serve with Sweet Companions: Pair these delightful no-bake cookies with a cold glass of milk or a hot cup of coffee for a perfect treat that balances the rich, sweet praline flavor.
Dress Up Your Dessert Plate: Arrange the cookies on a decorative platter, garnishing with extra toasted pecans or a light dusting of powdered sugar to create an elegant presentation.
Create Decadent Dessert Combinations: Crumble these cookies over vanilla ice cream or use them as a crunchy topping for a tropical-inspired sundae that highlights the coconut and pecan notes.
Package as Homemade Gifts: Wrap the cooled cookies in clear cellophane with a festive ribbon, making them a delicious homemade gift for friends and family during holidays or special occasions.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 3 minutes
Total Time: 13 minutes
Calories: 174 kcal
Servings: 22
No-Bake Coconut Pecan Praline Cookies Ingredient List
Brown Sugar: Adds deep, rich molasses flavor and enhances cookie's complexity.
Corn Syrup: Prevents sugar crystallization and ensures silky, glossy finish.
For Liquid Binding:
Evaporated Milk: Creates creamy consistency and helps blend ingredients seamlessly.
Butter: Delivers rich flavor and helps ingredients meld together smoothly.
For Flavor Enhancers:
Vanilla Extract: Rounds out sweetness with warm, aromatic undertone.
Salt: Balances sweetness and elevates overall flavor profile.
For Texture Elements:
Shredded Coconut: Provides delightful tropical chewiness and tropical hint.
Pecans: Introduces nutty crunch and earthy undertone, adding layers of texture.
Supplies to Make Coconut Pecan Cookies
Medium saucepan: Essential for heating and mixing sugar, milk, and other ingredients smoothly.
Wooden spoon or heat-resistant spatula: Perfect for stirring the mixture without scratching the pan.
Baking sheets: Needed to place cookies while they cool and set.
Wax paper: Prevents cookies from sticking and makes cleanup easy.
Tablespoon or small cookie scoop: Helps create uniform, perfectly sized cookies.
Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient proportions.
Storing These Coconut Pecan Treats Right
Maximize Freshness: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Freeze for Long-Term Enjoyment: Carefully stack cookies in a freezer-safe container, placing wax paper between layers. Freeze for up to 3 months for future sweet cravings.
Prevent Moisture Buildup: Keep cookies away from humid areas to maintain their crisp texture and prevent softening or becoming sticky.
Quick Thawing Technique: Remove frozen cookies from the freezer 15-20 minutes before serving, allowing them to reach room temperature naturally for the best taste and texture.
Delightful no-bake coconut pecan praline cookies combine Southern charm with sweet indulgence. Crisp pecans and creamy coconut meld into an irresistible treat you can enjoy without turning on the oven.
Ingredients
Scale
2 cups pecans
2 cups sweetened shredded coconut
1.5 cups granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar
½ cup unsalted butter
½ cup evaporated milk
½ cup light corn syrup
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ tsp salt
Instructions
Preparation: Line a baking sheet with wax or parchment paper, ensuring a smooth surface for praline cookies.
Sugar Mixture: Combine granulated sugar, brown sugar, evaporated milk, corn syrup, and unsalted butter in a medium saucepan, heating gently until ingredients meld into a uniform liquid.
Boiling Process: Elevate heat to create a vigorous boil, maintaining a steady rolling temperature for precisely 3 minutes while monitoring consistency carefully.
Flavor Infusion: Remove from heat and swiftly introduce vanilla extract and salt, stirring thoroughly to distribute flavors evenly throughout the mixture.
Final Incorporation: Fold in shredded coconut and chopped pecans, mixing consistently for 3-4 minutes until the praline develops a slightly thickened, glossy texture.
Forming Cookies: Utilize a tablespoon or small cookie scoop to deposit uniform dollops of the praline mixture onto the prepared baking sheet, creating consistent cookie shapes.
Setting and Cooling: Allow cookies to solidify at room temperature for 30-45 minutes, or expedite the process by placing the baking sheet in the freezer for 15-20 minutes until completely hardened.
Notes
Timing is Crucial: Boil the mixture precisely for 3 minutes to achieve the perfect praline consistency and prevent burning or undercooking.
Stir Strategically: Continuously mix ingredients during boiling and after removing from heat to ensure even texture and prevent sugar crystallization.
Temperature Matters: Monitor mixture closely while cooking to maintain a steady rolling boil and achieve the ideal candy-like texture.
Cooling Technique: Choose between room temperature setting (30-45 minutes) or freezer method (15-20 minutes) based on your time constraints and desired texture.
Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, Boulder, CO
Degree: Diploma in Culinary Arts
Focus: Hands-on training in classic and modern culinary techniques, emphasizing sustainable cooking practices, kitchen professionalism, and real-world restaurant experience through externships.
Oregon State University
Degree: B.S. in Nutrition and Food Management
Focus: In-depth study of human nutrition, food safety, meal planning, and food-service operations, with a strong foundation in public health, dietetics, and community-based nutrition programs.
Sophie Reynolds is the recipe developer and culinary voice behind many of the approachable, flavor-focused creations at The Dream Café.
Sophie’s style leans into comfort food made simple: wholesome, satisfying meals anyone can make with confidence. Her passion lies in helping home cooks feel at ease in the kitchen while finding joy in the everyday act of cooking.
Sophie Reynolds
Co-Founder, Recipe Curator & Culinary Educator
Expertise
Education
Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, Boulder, CO
Oregon State University
Sophie Reynolds is the recipe developer and culinary voice behind many of the approachable, flavor-focused creations at The Dream Café.
Sophie’s style leans into comfort food made simple: wholesome, satisfying meals anyone can make with confidence. Her passion lies in helping home cooks feel at ease in the kitchen while finding joy in the everyday act of cooking.