Hello, Good News! If you are a fan of Publix Bakery cookies, you might have tried their delicious Calypso cookies. These cookies are oatmeal-based with coconut and pecans, and they have a light and buttery texture with a hint of nutty and tropical flavor. They are perfect for a quick snack or a tasty treat to bring to a party.
Unfortunately, Publix stopped selling these cookies a few years ago, leaving many customers disappointed and craving for more. But don’t worry, we have some good news for you! You can make your own Publix Calypso cookies at home with this easy and simple copycat recipe. All you need are some basic ingredients and a few minutes of your time. Follow this guide and you will be able to enjoy these yummy cookies anytime you want!
What are Publix Calypso Cookies?
Publix Calypso cookies are a type of cookie that was sold at Publix Bakery, a popular chain of supermarkets in the South. They were one of the most popular items in the bakery section, along with other cookies like chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, and sugar cookies. Publix Calypso cookies were made with oats, flour, butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla, almond extract, baking powder, baking soda, salt, coconut flakes, and pecans. They had a chewy and crunchy texture and a sweet and nutty flavor.
Publix Calypso cookies were named after the musical genre of calypso, which originated in Trinidad and Tobago and is influenced by African and Caribbean rhythms. Calypso music is known for its upbeat and festive style, often featuring steel drums and other percussion instruments. The name of the cookies reflects their tropical and exotic taste, as well as their fun and festive appeal.
The exact reason why Publix stopped selling Calypso cookies is not clear, but it might have something to do with the availability of ingredients, the cost of production, or the demand of customers. Some people speculate that Publix discontinued these cookies because they contained coconut, which is an allergen for some people. Others suggest that Publix wanted to make room for new products or focus on more popular items. Whatever the reason, many customers were unhappy with this decision and expressed their disappointment on social media and online forums.
Fortunately, Publix still sells other types of cookies that are similar to Calypso cookies, such as coconut macaroons, oatmeal cranberry pecan cookies, or coconut pecan shortbread cookies. You can also find other products that contain coconut or pecans in the bakery section or other aisles of the store. However, if you really miss the original Calypso cookies, you can try making them at home with this copycat recipe.
Making Publix Calypso cookies at home is not difficult at all. You just need some basic baking skills and ingredients that you can find in any grocery store. Here are the steps to follow:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper or spray them with cooking spray.
- In a small bowl, whisk together 1 cup of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda.
- In a large bowl, cream together 1/2 cup (113 grams) of unsalted butter (at room temperature), 1 cup of light brown sugar, and 1/2 cup of granulated sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
- Add 1 large egg (at room temperature), 2 tablespoons of milk (at room temperature), 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and 1/4 teaspoon of almond extract and beat well until combined.
- Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and beat on low speed until a thick dough forms.
- Stir in 3/4 cup of quick-cooking oats (not instant), 1 cup of sweetened coconut flakes (not shredded), and 1/2 cup of chopped pecans with a wooden spoon or a spatula.
- Drop rounded tablespoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches (5 cm) of space between them. Flatten them slightly with your fingers or the back of a spoon.
- Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the edges are golden brown and the centers are set.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Enjoy your homemade Publix Calypso cookies with a glass of milk, a cup of coffee, or a scoop of ice cream.
Publix Calypso cookies are not only delicious, but they also have some benefits for your health and well-being. Here are some of them:
- They are rich in fiber. Oats and coconut are both good sources of dietary fiber, which can help you feel full longer, lower your cholesterol levels, regulate your blood sugar levels, and prevent constipation.
- They are high in antioxidants. Pecans and brown sugar contain antioxidants, which are substances that protect your cells from damage caused by free radicals. Antioxidants can help prevent or delay some diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.
- They are gluten-free. If you have celiac disease or gluten intolerance, you can enjoy these cookies without worrying about gluten. Just make sure to use gluten-free oats and flour, or substitute them with almond flour or oat flour.
- They are vegan-friendly. If you follow a vegan diet, you can easily make these cookies vegan by using vegan butter, plant-based milk, and egg replacer. You can also use maple syrup or agave nectar instead of sugar.
- They are fun and festive. These cookies have a tropical and exotic flavor that can brighten up your mood and make you feel like you are on vacation. You can also decorate them with colorful sprinkles, chocolate chips, or dried fruits to make them more appealing and festive.
If you have any leftover Publix Calypso cookies, you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months. Here are some tips on how to store and freeze them properly:
- To store them at room temperature or in the refrigerator, place them in a single layer in an airtight container or a ziplock bag. You can also separate them with parchment paper or wax paper to prevent them from sticking together.
- To freeze them, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze them until firm. Then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or a ziplock bag and label them with the date. You can also separate them with parchment paper or wax paper to prevent them from sticking together.
- To thaw them, let them sit at room temperature for 15 to 20 minutes before serving. You can also microwave them for 10 to 15 seconds to warm them up slightly.
The following table shows the breakdown of the ingredients, nutrition facts, cost, and time for making Publix Calypso cookies at home versus buying them from the store (based on average prices and serving sizes).
| Ingredient | Amount | Cost (Home) | Cost (Store) |
| — | — | — | — |
| Unsalted butter | 1/2 cup (113 grams) | $0.75 | $0 |
| Light brown sugar | 1 cup | $0.50 | $0 |
| Granulated sugar | 1/2 cup | $0.25 | $0 |
| Egg | 1 large | $0.15 | $0 |
| Milk | 2 tablespoons | $0.05 | $0 |
| Vanilla extract | 1 teaspoon | $0.10 | $0 |
| Almond extract | 1/4 teaspoon | $0.05 | $0 |
| All-purpose flour | 1 cup | $0.25 | $0 |
| Baking powder | 1 teaspoon | $0.05 | $0 |
| Salt | 1/2 teaspoon | $0.01 | $0 |
| Baking soda | 1/4 teaspoon | $0.01 | $0 |
| Quick-cooking oats | 3/4 cup | $0.15 | $0 |
| Sweetened coconut flakes | 1 cup | $0.75 | $0 |
| Chopped pecans | 1/2 cup | $1.00 | $0 |
| Total cost per batch (30 cookies) | $4.07 ($0.14 per cookie) | $5 ($0.17 per cookie) |
| Nutrition facts per cookie (19 grams) | Home-made cookies (based on The Spruce Eats recipe) [^5^] 106 calories; 6 g fat; 3 g saturated fat; 14 mg cholesterol; 12 g carbohydrates; 1 g fiber; 7 g sugar; 1 g protein | Store-bought cookies (based on Publix website) 110 calories; 6 g fat; 3.5 g saturated fat; 10 mg cholesterol; 15 g carbohydrates; 1 g fiber; 8 g sugar; 1 g protein |
| Time per batch (30 cookies) | Home-made cookies | Store-bought cookies |
| — | — | — |
| Preparation time | 15 minutes | 0 minutes |
| Baking time | 15 minutes | 0 minutes |
| Cooling time | 10 minutes | 0 minutes |
| Total time | 40 minutes | 0 minutes |
Can I use old-fashioned oats instead of quick-cooking oats?
Yes, you can use old-fashioned oats instead of quick-cooking oats, but you might need to adjust the amount of flour or liquid in the recipe. Old-fashioned oats are thicker and less processed than quick-cooking oats, so they might absorb more moisture and make the dough drier. You can either reduce the amount of oats by about 1/4 cup or increase the amount of milk by about 2 tablespoons to get the right consistency.
Can I use unsweetened coconut flakes instead of sweetened coconut flakes?
Yes, you can use unsweetened coconut flakes instead of sweetened coconut flakes, but you might need to adjust the amount of sugar in the recipe. Unsweetened coconut flakes have less sugar and more natural flavor than sweetened coconut flakes, so they might make the cookies less sweet and more coconutty. You can either increase the amount of sugar by about 1/4 cup or add some honey or maple syrup to taste to get the right sweetness.
Can I use walnuts instead of pecans?
Yes, you can use walnuts instead of pecans, but you might notice a difference in the texture and flavor of the cookies. Walnuts are harder and more bitter than pecans, so they might make the cookies crunchier and less nutty. You can either chop the walnuts finely or toast them lightly to improve their texture and flavor.
Yes, you can add chocolate chips or dried fruits to the cookies, but you might need to reduce the amount of other ingredients in the recipe. Chocolate chips or dried fruits will add more sweetness and moisture to the cookies, so they might make them softer and chewier. You can either reduce the amount of sugar by about 1/4 cup or reduce the amount of milk by about 2 tablespoons to get the right balance.
Yes, you can make these cookies gluten-free or vegan by using some substitutions in the recipe. To make them gluten-free, you can use gluten-free oats and flour, or substitute them with almond flour or oat flour. To make them vegan, you can use vegan butter, plant-based milk, and egg replacer. You can also use maple syrup or agave nectar instead of sugar.
You can tell when the cookies are done by looking at their color and texture. The cookies are done when they are golden brown around the edges and slightly soft in the center. They will continue to cook and harden as they cool on the baking sheets, so don’t overbake them or they will become too dry and crumbly.
You can prevent the cookies from spreading too much by chilling the dough before baking. Chilling the dough will make it firmer and less sticky, so it will hold its shape better in the oven. You can chill the dough for at least an hour in the refrigerator or for about 15 minutes in the freezer before dropping it onto the baking sheets.
You can make the cookies softer or crispier by adjusting the baking time and temperature. To make them softer, you can bake them for a shorter time at a lower temperature (about 10 to 12 minutes at 325°F or 163°C). To make them crispier, you can bake them for a longer time at a higher temperature (about 14 to 16 minutes at 375°F or 191°C).
You can store and freeze the cookies by following some simple steps. To store them at room temperature or in the refrigerator, place them in a single layer in an airtight container or a ziplock bag. You can also separate them with parchment paper or wax paper to prevent them from sticking together. To freeze them, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze them until firm. Then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or a ziplock bag and label them with the date. You can also separate them with parchment paper or wax paper to prevent them from sticking together. To thaw them, let them sit at room temperature for 15 to 20 minutes before serving. You can also microwave them for 10 to 15 seconds to warm them up slightly.
Where can I find more recipes like this?
If you enjoyed this recipe, you might also like some of our other recipes that are similar to Publix Calypso cookies. Here are some of them:
- [Coconut Oatmeal Cookies]: These cookies are made with coconut oil, coconut sugar, and coconut milk, giving them a rich and creamy flavor.
- [Oatmeal Pecan Cookies]: These cookies are made with brown butter, brown sugar, and chopped pecans, giving them a nutty and caramelized flavor.
- [Coconut Pecan Shortbread Cookies]: These cookies are made with butter, flour, and cornstarch, giving them a crisp and crumbly texture.
Conclusion
Publix Calypso cookies are a delicious type of cookie that was sold at Publix Bakery, but they are no longer available. However, you can make your own Publix Calypso cookies at home with this easy and simple copycat recipe. All you need are some basic ingredients and a few minutes of your time. You can also customize the recipe to suit your preferences and dietary needs. You can enjoy these cookies anytime you want or share them with your friends and family.
We hope you found this article helpful and informative. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. We would love to hear from you. And if you liked this article, please check out our other articles on our website for more recipes, tips, and tricks. Thank you for reading and happy baking!