Hello, Good News! Welcome to another delicious article where we share with you the best recipes for your sweet tooth. Today, we are going to show you how to make calypso cookies, a tropical treat that will make you feel like you are on a sunny island. Calypso cookies are soft and chewy cookies with coconut, oats, pecans, and pineapple. They have a hint of almond and vanilla flavor that makes them irresistible. If you love coconut and fruit, you will love these cookies!
Calypso cookies are inspired by the popular cookies from Publix bakery, which sadly are no longer available. But don’t worry, we have a copycat recipe that is just as good, if not better, than the original. You can make these cookies at home with simple ingredients and enjoy them anytime you want. They are perfect for snacking, dessert, or even breakfast. Yes, you heard that right. These cookies are so wholesome and nutritious that you can eat them for breakfast without feeling guilty. They are packed with fiber, protein, healthy fats, and antioxidants from the oats, nuts, coconut, and pineapple.
What You Need to Make Calypso Cookies
Ingredients
To make calypso cookies, you will need the following ingredients:
- Unsalted butter: You will need one stick (4 ounces) of unsalted butter at room temperature. Butter gives the cookies a rich and buttery flavor and texture.
- Sugar: You will need both granulated sugar and brown sugar for this recipe. The granulated sugar helps the cookies spread and crisp up, while the brown sugar adds moisture and caramel flavor. You will need half a cup of each type of sugar.
- Egg: You will need one large egg to bind the ingredients together and add some structure to the cookies.
- Extracts: You will need both vanilla extract and almond extract for this recipe. The vanilla extract enhances the flavor of the other ingredients, while the almond extract adds a subtle nutty aroma that complements the coconut and pecans. You will need one teaspoon of each extract.
- Oats: You will need one and a quarter cups of old-fashioned rolled oats for this recipe. Oats give the cookies a chewy texture and a nutty flavor. They also add some fiber and protein to the cookies.
- Flour: You will need three-quarters of a cup of all-purpose flour for this recipe. Flour provides the base for the cookies and helps them hold their shape.
- Leavening agents: You will need half a teaspoon of baking powder, a quarter teaspoon of baking soda, and half a teaspoon of salt for this recipe. These ingredients help the cookies rise and create air pockets in the dough.
- Cinnamon: You will need one teaspoon of ground cinnamon for this recipe. Cinnamon adds a warm and spicy flavor that goes well with the coconut and pineapple.
- Pecans: You will need three-quarters of a cup of chopped pecans for this recipe. Pecans add a crunchy texture and a rich nutty flavor to the cookies. You can toast them lightly before chopping them to enhance their flavor.
- Coconut: You will need three-quarters of a cup of shredded coconut for this recipe. Coconut adds a tropical flair and a chewy texture to the cookies. You can use either sweetened or unsweetened shredded coconut, depending on your preference.
- Pineapple: You will need half a cup of dried pineapple or half a can of crushed pineapple for this recipe. Pineapple adds a sweet and tangy flavor and some moisture to the cookies. If you use dried pineapple, chop it into small pieces before adding it to the dough. If you use crushed pineapple, drain it well and pat it dry with a paper towel before adding it to the dough.
Equipment
To make calypso cookies, you will need the following equipment:
- A large mixing bowl
- A medium mixing bowl
- A hand mixer or a stand mixer
- A spatula
- A measuring cup
- A measuring spoon
- A baking sheet
- Parchment paper or cooking spray
- A wire rack
- A cookie scoop or a tablespoon
How to Make Calypso Cookies
Step 1: Preheat the oven and prepare the baking sheet
The first step to make calypso cookies is to preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) and line your baking sheet with parchment paper or spray it with cooking spray. This will prevent the cookies from sticking to the pan and make them easier to remove.
Step 2: Cream the butter and sugars
The next step is to cream the butter and sugars together in a large mixing bowl. You can use a hand mixer or a stand mixer for this step. Beat the butter and sugars on medium-high speed until they are light and fluffy, about 3 to 4 minutes. This will create air bubbles in the mixture that will make the cookies soft and tender.
Step 3: Add the egg and extracts
After creaming the butter and sugars, add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract to the same bowl. Beat the mixture on medium speed until well combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. The egg will help bind the ingredients together and add some structure to the cookies. The extracts will add flavor and aroma to the cookies.
Step 4: Whisk the dry ingredients
In a separate medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. These are the dry ingredients that will form the base of the cookies. Whisking them together will ensure that they are evenly distributed throughout the dough and prevent any lumps or pockets of flour.
Step 5: Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until a soft dough forms. Do not overmix the dough, as this will make the cookies tough and dense. You want to mix just until everything is well incorporated and no streaks of flour remain.
Step 6: Stir in the oats, pecans, coconut, and pineapple
Using a spatula or a wooden spoon, stir in the oats, pecans, coconut, and pineapple to the dough. These are the ingredients that will give the cookies their texture and flavor. Fold them gently into the dough until they are evenly distributed. You can also use your hands to knead the dough slightly if it is too sticky.
Using a cookie scoop or a tablespoon, scoop out about two tablespoons of dough for each cookie and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Leave about two inches of space between each cookie, as they will spread slightly in the oven. You can also use your hands to roll the dough into balls and flatten them slightly if you prefer.
Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for about 10 to 12 minutes, or until they are lightly golden around the edges and set in the center. The cookies will still be soft when you take them out of the oven, but they will firm up as they cool. Do not overbake them, as they will lose their chewiness.
Step 9: Cool and enjoy
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy your calypso cookies with a glass of milk, a cup of coffee, or some ice cream. You can also store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week or freeze them for up to three months.
A Table Breakdown of Calypso Cookies Nutrition Facts
If you are wondering how many calories are in calypso cookies, or how much fat, protein, carbs, fiber, or sugar they contain, we have prepared a table breakdown for you. This table shows the nutrition facts for one calypso cookie (about 40 grams), based on our recipe. Keep in mind that these values may vary depending on your ingredients and measurements.
| Nutrient | Amount | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 178 kcal | 9% |
| Fat | 9 g | 14% |
| Saturated Fat | 5 g | 25% |
| Cholesterol | 20 mg | 7% |
| Sodium | 93 mg | 4% |
| Carbohydrates | 23 g | 8% |
| Fiber | 2 g | 8% Daily Value* |
| Sugar | 13 g | – |
| Protein | 2 g | 4% |
| Vitamin A | 4% | 4% |
| Vitamin C | 1% | 1% |
| Calcium | 2% | 2% |
| Iron | 5% | 5% |
FAQs About Calypso Cookies
Calypso cookies are soft and chewy cookies with coconut, oats, pecans, and pineapple. They have a hint of almond and vanilla flavor that makes them irresistible. They are inspired by the popular cookies from Publix bakery, which sadly are no longer available.
You can store calypso cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week or freeze them for up to three months. To freeze them, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until firm, then transfer them to a freezer bag or container. To thaw them, let them sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before enjoying.
You can make calypso cookies vegan by replacing the butter with vegan butter or coconut oil, and the egg with a flax egg (one tablespoon of ground flaxseed mixed with three tablespoons of water). You can make calypso cookies gluten-free by replacing the flour with gluten-free flour or oat flour, and making sure that your oats, baking powder, baking soda, and extracts are gluten-free as well.
Can you use fresh or canned pineapple instead of dried pineapple?
You can use fresh or canned pineapple instead of dried pineapple, but you will need to drain it well and pat it dry with a paper towel before adding it to the dough. Otherwise, the excess moisture will make the cookies soggy and mushy. You will also need to chop the pineapple into small pieces if it is too large.
Can you use other nuts or fruits instead of pecans and pineapple?
You can use other nuts or fruits instead of pecans and pineapple, depending on your preference and availability. Some possible substitutions are walnuts, almonds, macadamia nuts, cranberries, cherries, apricots, or mangoes. Just make sure to chop them into small pieces and adjust the amount accordingly.
If your calypso cookies are flat or dry, it could be because of one or more of the following reasons:
- You overmixed the dough, which developed too much gluten and made the cookies tough and dense.
- You used too much butter or sugar, which caused the cookies to spread too much and lose their shape.
- You used too little flour or oats, which did not provide enough structure and support for the cookies.
- You overbaked the cookies, which dried them out and made them hard and crumbly.
- You did not let the cookies cool completely on the baking sheet, which prevented them from setting properly.
If you want your calypso cookies to be chewy or crispy, you can try one or more of the following tips:
- If you want chewy cookies, use more brown sugar than granulated sugar, as brown sugar adds moisture and caramel flavor to the cookies. You can also underbake the cookies slightly, leaving them soft in the center.
- If you want crispy cookies, use more granulated sugar than brown sugar, as granulated sugar helps the cookies spread and crisp up. You can also bake the cookies longer, until they are golden and firm around the edges.
How do you measure flour correctly?
To measure flour correctly, you should use a spoon to scoop the flour into a measuring cup and level it off with a knife. Do not pack the flour into the cup or tap it on the counter, as this will compact it and result in too much flour. Too much flour will make the cookies dry and heavy.
How do you toast pecans?
To toast pecans, you can either use the oven or the stove. To use the oven, preheat it to 350°F (177°C) and spread the pecans in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake for about 10 minutes, stirring once or twice, until they are fragrant and golden. To use the stove, heat a skillet over medium heat and add the pecans. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until they are fragrant and golden. Be careful not to burn them, as they will turn bitter.
What are some other recipes that use coconut, oats, pecans, and pineapple?
If you love the combination of coconut, oats, pecans, and pineapple, you might also like these other recipes:
- Coconut Oatmeal Cookies: These are simple and classic cookies that are soft and chewy, with a hint of coconut flavor.
- Pecan Pineapple Cake: This is a moist and fluffy cake that is topped with a creamy cream cheese frosting and sprinkled with toasted pecans.
- Coconut Pecan Granola: This is a crunchy and nutty granola that is perfect for breakfast or snacking. It has coconut flakes, pecans, oats, honey, and cinnamon.
- Pineapple Coconut Bars: These are sweet and tangy bars that have a buttery shortbread crust and a pineapple coconut filling.
- Oatmeal Pecan Pie: This is a decadent and delicious pie that has a flaky crust and a gooey filling with oats, pecans, brown sugar, and corn syrup.
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed this article on how to make calypso cookies. These cookies are a tropical treat that will make you feel like you are on a sunny island. They are soft and chewy, with coconut, oats, pecans, and pineapple. They have a hint of almond and vanilla flavor that makes them irresistible. They are easy to make with simple ingredients and can be stored or frozen for later. They are perfect for snacking, dessert, or even breakfast.
If you liked this article, please check out our other articles on baking, cooking, and more. We have plenty of recipes and tips to help you create delicious dishes in your kitchen. Thank you for reading and happy baking!