36 Best Coconut Desserts for Tropical Flavors

Coconut desserts impart a distinctly tropical flavor that makes you crave more after each bite. Although coconut conjures up tropical summer images, coconut treats are available and delectable all year round.

The category features various options, including cakes, candies, bars, cookies, ice cream, and drinks. So, you can use any familiar or strange type of coconuts to your preferences.

Also, there are various ways to include this ingredient in these desserts, such as sprinkling it on top of a cake, whipping it into ice cream, using it as coconut flakes, or mixing it into cookies.

For those coconut lovers out there, let’s join me on this fictitious tropical vacation with the following 36 refreshing coconut desserts.

12 Fluffy Coconut Cakes

1. Coconut Cream Pies
2. Coconut Cheesecakes
3. Pineapple Coconut Cakes
4. Coconut Rum Cakes
5. Chocolate Coconut Cream Torte
6. Coconut Chess Pies
7. Chocolate Coconut Brownies
8. Coconut Cupcakes
9. Almond Joy Cupcakes
10. Coconut Macaroon Pies
11. Toasted Coconut Pound Cakes
12. Piña Colada Poke Cakes

6 Scrumptious Coconut Bars

13. Chewy Coconut Bars
14. Chocolate Macaroon Bars
15. Nanaimo Bars
16. Dulce De Leche Coconut Chocolate Chip Bars
17. Coconut Date Rolls
18. Lime Coconut Bars

6 Crisp Coconut Cookies

19. Coconut Oreos
20. Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookies
21. Pineapple Coconut Cookies
22. Homemade Samoas
23. Almond Joy Cookies
24. Raspberry Coconut Cookies

6 Fruity Coconut Drinks

25. Piña Colada
26. Ode To Halo-Halo
27. Coconut Snow (Granita)
28. Mounds Bar Cocktail
29. Toasted Coconut Cold-Brew Iced Coffee
30. Authentic Eggnog (Coquito)

4 Easy Coconut Ice Creams

31. Coconut Milk Fudgesicles
32. Boozy Piña Colada Ice Cream
33. Coconut Mango Popsicles
34. Raspberry Coconut Chia Pudding Pops

2 Unique Coconut Candies

35. Giant Meringue (Pavlova Gigantata)
36. Chocolate Coconut Candy Clusters

12 Fluffy Coconut Cakes

Let’s kickstart your tropical adventure with the following 12 fluffy coconut cakes. These options are all healthy and delectable that you can freely enjoy after your main meals.

Recipe #1: Coconut Cream Pies

This tropical coconut pie is a time-honored recipe that incorporates a few modern tricks. You will have toasted coconut milk, gelatin, whipped cream, bananas, and pineapples packed inside a crisp, buttery pastry shell.

One mistake that many people make while preparing this dessert is using coconut water instead of coconut milk. While these two are both from coconut, there are several differences between coconut water and coconut milk. So, please don’t use them interchangeably in every case.

This magnificent and zesty dessert will be a big hit with your family and friends! They will never be able to get enough of this coconut cream pie’s luscious filling.

Recipe #2: Coconut Cheesecakes

This toasted coconut cheesecake is the ultimate coconut treat.  It begins with a thick graham cracker crust and is brimming with a handmade coconut whipped cream that takes less than an hour to prepare.

It is the ideal summer dessert, with each bite filled with delightfully rich flavors and refreshing coconut tastes.

Recipe #3: Pineapple Coconut Cakes

Pineapple coconut cakes include soft coconut layers, pineapple filling, and coconut cream cheese frosting, which is perhaps one of the most popular and beloved sorts of frosting. Together, you get to enjoy the incomparable flavors of pineapple and coconut.

The assembled cake is a true work of art. It is surely a dessert that everyone will enjoy.

Learn how to make your pineapple coconut cakes fluffier with this easy-to-follow tutorial. You can see this video to know more:

Recipe #4: Coconut Rum Cakes

With the sweet coconut aroma and buttery frosting, this coconut rum cake infuses the traditional recipe with an even more Caribbean flavor. Simply speaking, this recipe depicts a toasted coconut macaroon in the cake form.

It is simple to put together. All it takes to build a unique coconut rum cake is simply coconut, flour, sugar, and a generous amount of rum. Be patient for a night to allow all flavors to blend.

Another vital ingredient in this dessert is coconut oil, and it’s so delicious and useful that I always buy it in bulk. I never have to worry if coconut oil will go bad because I always end up using it all up within only a few months. And I believe you’ll agree with me once you try it out.

Recipe #5: Chocolate Coconut Cream Torte

If you love cake but are on a strict diet, you should check out this chocolate coconut cream torte. It has neither dairy nor gluten, making it perfectly suitable for you. Plus, it is extremely nutritious, thanks to its diverse ingredients.

But wait, isn’t this a cake? Why am I calling it a torte? Are there any dissimilarities between tortes and cakes? Simply put, this coconut dessert does not contain flour, whereas most other cakes do. This is why cakes usually aren’t gluten-free, while this tasty torte is 100% so.

In this recipe, you will find the crisp crust comprising mainly dates and almonds. Inside, there is also a smooth marshmallow and creamy coconut filling sandwiched between layers of rich chocolate cake. And do not forget to drizzle this dessert with chocolate ganache.

Recipe #6: Coconut Chess Pies

By incorporating coconut into the custard, this coconut chess pie achieves a creamy filling with fantastic texture. If you want to amp the taste up even more, add some coconut extract and eat it warm.

If you are craving coconut taste, this coconut chess pie is for you. Each bite will make it harder for you to resist the temptation of eating more.

Recipe #7: Chocolate Coconut Brownies

If you are a lover of coconut sweets, these chocolate coconut brownies are a must-try dessert! Do not be scared of the number of steps you have to go through in this recipe, as the overall process is a piece of cake.

You will adore the concept of these delectable treats. You will enjoy a layer of chocolate ganache on top, a chewy coconut center, and the finest brownies on the bottom. Such a brief description is enough to make me drool.

Recipe #8: Coconut Cupcakes

Thanks to the use of both coconut cream and coconut crumb, these light and fluffy coconut cupcakes are very moist and yield a distinct taste.

Feel free to combine vanilla cream frosting to add a more delicate texture to this coconut dessert. A mango cream cheese frosting is ideal as well.

Recipe #9: Almond Joy Cupcakes

Here is another coconut cupcake option you can try for your dessert: Almond joy cupcakes. This recipe is quick and simple to prepare. All you need is a doctored cake mix, some fluffy buttercream, and sweet coconut frosting.

Give these cupcakes some Hershey’s Dark Special Cocoa to accentuate the flavor of dark chocolate to the treats.

Recipe #10: Coconut Macaroon Pies

Get ready to enjoy the chewiest, sweetest, and simplest recipe for coconut macaroon pies. They are mushy inside and gently crunchy outside.

If you are a fan of ice cream, make sure to bake them in larger sizes so that you can top those macaroon pies with a scoop of ice cream or a drizzle of strawberry sauce.

Recipe #11: Toasted Coconut Pound Cakes

There is something about coconut that makes it so special. It is so true when you use coconut to make toasted pound cakes. You get to taste what I call a perfect cake: sweet but not too sweet, fluffy enough to create the ideal crumb, dense enough to not fall apart when sliced.

Furthermore, the cake is brimming with chocolate and almonds. It comes together very easily as well. Drizzle some sweet coconut frosting on top and enjoy its delectable flavor in every bite.

Recipe #12: Piña Colada Poke Cakes

This Piña Colada Poke Cake is bursting with flavors of pineapple, coconut, and rum! It begins with a yellow cake mix, topped with a combination of coconut cream and sweetened condensed milk. Shredded coconut and pecans, crushed pineapple stay on top.

This tropical poke cake is an excellent dessert for parties, reunions, and potlucks.

6 Scrumptious Coconut Bars

If you prefer smaller servings for your delectable coconut desserts, you should give coconut bars a shot. Here are six scrumptious recipes that will make you hard to resist.

Recipe #13: Chewy Coconut Bars

If you are a coconut lover, you will believe these chewy coconut bars are heaven. They are simply shortbread made with brown butter to add a strong nutty taste and topped with chewy coconut.

The ideal time of the year for baking has come. Let’s bake them well and slice them into bar-shaped pieces to enjoy their heavenly tastes.

Recipe #14: Chocolate Macaroon Bars

Chocolate macaroon bars are a perfect option for your Christmas treat, thanks to their easy-to-prepare recipe and delectable taste. A true crowd-pleasing dessert for everyone!

You can never go wrong with the combination of coconut and chocolate. Things just get better with this recipe. Behold the chocolate-chunk cookie foundation topped with a sweet coconut layer.

You can drizzle more chocolate on them before cutting to make them more irresistible to choco lovers.

Recipe #15: Nanaimo Bars

Nanaimo bars are a traditional Canadian treat with a chewy chocolate foundation, buttercream custard filling, flaked coconut, vanilla puddings, and graham cracker crumbs. You will not be able to resist their appealing three-layer appearance.

You are really missing out if you have not tasted Nanaimo bars. They are a perfect recipe for your special occasions.

Recipe #16: Dulce De Leche Coconut Chocolate Chip Bars

“Dulce de leche” is a Latin American term meaning caramelized milk. These chocolate chip bars served in dulce de leche are so rich, velvety, and gooey.

They are prepared with shredded coconut, chocolate chips, and dulce de leche (instead of sweetened condensed milk).

Recipe #17: Coconut Date Rolls

These coconut date rolls are an excellent treat if you are craving something sweet but don’t want to feel guilty. The recipe cannot get any simpler than this, as there are just three ingredients: dates, almonds, and coconut!

The outside of these coconut bars has a chewy coconut feel, while the inside is soft and sweet. Additionally, you may add dried mangos or raisins to accentuate the flavor further.

These coconut date rolls are fantastic. They make excellent Christmas presents. They are best served cold, straight from the refrigerator. Keep them refrigerated at all times.

Enjoy this simple instruction on how to prepare coconut date rolls. You can see this video to know more:

Recipe #18: Lime Coconut Bars

Try these assertively zesty lime coconut bars as an alternative to lemon bars. The combination of a coconut-studded shortbread crust and a creamy lime filling creates a delectable tropical flavor.

You may use fresh key lime juice for better results if you can locate those little key limes around the house. Finally, remember to drizzle fresh whipped coconut cream over the bars.

6 Crisp Coconut Cookies

Are you ready for something crispy? If the answer is yes, hang on for these six crisp coconut cookies that you can easily make at home.

Recipe #19: Coconut Oreos

Simply speaking, coconut Oreos are two vanilla cookies stuffed with a buttery shredded coconut filling in between. These little cookie sandwiches are completely vegan and gluten-free, which proves to be a healthy choice for your consumption.

You will have a hard time resisting their deliciousness. Although their concept is identical to the traditional chocolate crème cookies, they just taste better!

Recipe #20: Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookies

This dessert is a delectable variation of the classic chocolate chip cookie. It is ideal for coconut fans out there with the coconut texture and coconut extract, resulting in a crunchy, chewy cookie.

Not only elevating chocolate chip cookies to new heights, but this recipe is also very fast and simple to prepare as well. In less than 30 minutes, you can have a coconut dessert for your potlucks or family reunions.

Recipe #21: Pineapple Coconut Cookies

Pineapple coconut cookies are so dense and delectable that you will find it difficult to stop craving! The magical combination of pineapple and coconut flakes creates a very moist, chewy, and sweet treat.

Although these coconut cookies seem sophisticated, they are very simple to prepare. Indeed, they are an excellent baking option for youngsters owing to their simplicity. Children may also assist in measuring ingredients or shaping the dough into balls.

Besides baking for eating, you can prepare this coconut dessert as a small gift by filling them in beautiful jars.

Recipe #22: Homemade Samoas

With four simple ingredients: coconut, dates, chocolate chips, and coconut oil, you can put together this samoas recipe right at home. Homemade samoas are vegan and gluten-free, possessing a light sweetness and a buttery texture.

You can cover your samoas cookies with a toasted coconut and maple syrup-based caramel. Plus, make sure to dip them with sweet chocolate for better flavors.

Every mouthful you enjoy is brimming with sweet, coconutty, caramel, and extra chocolatey. It is virtually impossible to hate a thing about these handmade samoas cookies.

Recipe #23: Almond Joy Cookies

Almond Joy cookies are fast and simple to prepare since they include all of your favorite tastes of the famous candy bar. With sweetened coconut, chocolate chips, and chopped almonds, these cookies make a delectable combination.

They are ideally soft, chewy, and full of wonderful taste and texture. These Almond Joy cookies are a real competitor with the classic chocolate chip cookies.

Recipe #24: Raspberry Coconut Cookies

Here comes another interesting twist to the classic cookie recipe: raspberry coconut cookies. For this dessert, you will use very simple ingredients of chocolate, toasted coconut, and tart raspberries.

Raspberry coconut cookies are chewy and brimming with delicious raspberry and coconut aromas! These freshly baked cookies are perfect for your children’s lunch boxes.

Besides raspberry jam, you may also use lemon, strawberry, or peach fillings. To keep the cookies soft, store them in a sealed container when they are cooled down.

6 Fruity Coconut Drinks

Let’s put aside those coconut cakes and cookies in general. You will be surprised that the following six fruity coconut drinks yield the equivalent deliciousness.

Recipe #25: Piña Colada

This classic Piña Colada drink is a sweet, tropical concoction created with a hint of rum, delicious pineapple juice, banana, and coconut milk! Get ready to experience a thick and creamy coconut flavor. Add some ice cubes if you enjoy this drink cold.

Again, I cannot stress enough the importance of not mistaking coconut milk with coconut water. You don’t need to have the most discerning palate to tell that coconut water’s flavors are completely different from coconut milk. And I’m sure you don’t want to mess up the recipe.

Another good news is that you can prepare this famous Puerto Rican beverage in a flash. Thus, it is a go-to option when you are running short of time.

Enjoy this instruction to learn two ways of making Piña Colada. You can see this video to know more:

Recipe #26: Ode To Halo-Halo

Ode To Halo-Halo is a refreshing sweet treat emanating from Filipino cuisine. You can put together this drink with shaved ice and macerating tropical fruits. Whether you’re a fan of sweet dessert or not, you’ll definitely fall head over heels with this fantastic drink.

To make it more flavorful like the store-bought versions, do not forget to drizzle certain toppings like coconut flakes and gummies.

If you do it right, you will have a saucy coconut drink with a variety of textures of creamy, crunchy, and chewy.

Recipe #27: Coconut Snow (Granita)

With a luscious flavor, this delicious coconut snow is simple to prepare and has a wonderful fruity tropical aroma.

The secret behind its irresistibility is coconut milk, which yields a richer taste while not making the dessert too sweet. Thus, it is suitable for people monitoring their weight, as coconut milk is super light and low-fat.

The cool thing about this coconut granita is that it is sophisticated enough to serve as dessert at a dinner party but rustic enough to be consumed on the street in a paper cup.

Recipe #28: Mounds Bar Cocktail

The Mounds Bar cocktail recipe tastes very identical to the Mounds candy bar. This appealing hot cocoa beverage is simple to make and has delectable flavors of coconut and chocolate.

You can accentuate the aroma even more by adding coconut marshmallows on top of the drink.

Recipe #29: Toasted Coconut Cold-Brew Iced Coffee

With this recipe, you can forego the costly takeaway cold brew at stores and start making your homemade version right away.

By incorporating toasted coconut into your coffee grounds before brewing, you may get a nice coconut taste without the need for additional syrups. Thus, it is an excellent summer beverage that is both economical and time-saving.

Recipe #30: Authentic Eggnog (Coquito)

In Spanish, coquito means “little coconut”, which is a traditional Puerto Rican drink for Christmas time. If you are a fan of coconut and rum, have a sip of this traditional food in Puerto Rico, and you will never want to drink eggnog the regular way again.

This authentic version comes together in less than ten minutes. All it requires is a mixture of evaporated and condensed milk, coconut cream, spices, and a hint of white rum. Garnish the drink with some cinnamon sticks and serve it cold for a better experience.

4 Easy Coconut Ice Creams

Making ice cream from coconut is probably the best idea in the universe. Ice cream is no longer an exclusive treat for children. Nowadays, it is a popular dessert that many adults crave. If you are one of them, let’s check out these four easy coconut ice creams.

Recipe #31: Coconut Milk Fudgesicles

What makes a better treat than Fudgesicles on those hazy, hot, and humid days? These delectable coconut fudge pops need just five ingredients to make, which are coconut milk, cocoa, honey, vanilla extract, and salt.

Here are two tips to elevate your coconut ice cream to a whole new level. Firstly, utilize canned coconut milk to produce a creamier texture. Secondly, use dark cocoa to yield a superior outcome.

After spending a few hours in the fridge, you can enjoy these coconut milk fudgesicles with your family.

Always store your fudgesicles in the freezer if you want to save for later enjoyment because ice cream can go bad over time.

Recipe #32: Boozy Piña Colada Ice Cream

If you have enjoyed the store-bought version of this Piña Colada ice cream, you will love this recipe with a little boozy boost from pineapples and rum swirls.

Besides chunks of fresh pineapples, this dairy-free ice cream is a true dream for coconut lovers with creamy coconut ice cream and lots of toasted coconut flakes.

Recipe #33: Coconut Mango Popsicles

These coconut mango popsicles successfully highlight the smoothness of coconut milk and the sweetness of mango. These frozen popsicles are sweet, delectable, and simple to prepare.

To me, they are the perfect summer treat that can instantly transport you to a tropical destination. Plus, the combination with creamy mangos is really reviving, conjuring up images of blue sea and swaying palm trees in the wind.

Let’s prepare coconut mango popsicles along with this easy tutorial. You can see this video to know more:

Recipe #34: Raspberry Coconut Chia Pudding Pops

These simple raspberry coconut chia pudding pops are ideal as a nutritious snack or dessert. All you need are five easy ingredients and a popsicle mold.

If you are a fan of homemade frozen desserts, you cannot miss out on this recipe. While raspberries add a little tartness to the treat, coconut milk provides a creamy sweetness.

Plus, chia seeds provide plenty of nutritious benefits, and the maple syrup yields a light sweetness to your pops. What a delectable combo it is!

A small remark is that chia seeds can go bad within two years. Thus, make sure to store them correctly.

2 Unique Coconut Candies

It would be a huge mistake to forget candies in the coconut dessert category. Yes, coconut makes really great candies. Have a bite of these two unique coconut candies, and you will always crave more.

Recipe #35: Giant Meringue (Pavlova Gigantata)

A crisp meringue creates an unforgettable eating experience, as it crunches and melts simultaneously with a perfect blend of coconut flavor.

Not only tasty, but these giant meringues also match with a wide array of garnishes. Do not hesitate to add various fruits, nuts, whips, and purees to elevate the Pavlova Gigantata’s aroma.

Wow your family by learning how to make giant meringue from this instruction. You can see this video to know more:

Recipe #36: Chocolate Coconut Candy Clusters

These simple chocolate coconut candy clusters are a true dream for all chocolate and coconut lovers out there. This delicious mix of coconut and chocolate appears luxurious yet is quick to prepare. All you have to do is basically melt chocolate and pour it over toasted coconut.

As chocolate can go bad, make sure to store both your ingredient and outcome properly.

This dessert is an excellent accompaniment to a cookie or candy platter. It also makes an excellent addition to gift tins for holiday presents.

Surprise Your Kids With Delectable Coconut Desserts

My list of coconut desserts ends with two unique candies that you can prepare effortlessly at home for your little angels. I hope these 36 recipes have motivated you to become more creative in your culinary application.

My part is done here. Now, I want to interact more with you, my loyal readers. Are there any coconut desserts that I have not touched on in this article? Please share your recipe in the comment section below. And as usual, thank you for reading!