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Glazed coconut shortbread rounds on a wire rack with citrus zest on top.

Coconut Shortbread (with easy glaze)

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5 from 2 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
  • Yield: 40 medium rounds

Ingredients

Units

For the shortbread:

  • 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
  • Zest of 1 orange
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or paste
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour

For the glaze:

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2-3 Tbs lemon or orange juice (or both)
  • Orange and lemon zest to finish

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl beat butter with both sugars until creamy.
  2. Add coconut, both zests, and vanilla. Mix well.
  3. Add sifted flour in 2 or 3 parts, mixing until no dry spots remain.
  4. On a piece of parchment or film paper put half the dough making a rough cylinder. With the aid of the paper, wrap it, smoothing the log. It doesn’t need to be perfect.
  5. Close the ends and refrigerate until firm, 1 hour or up to 2 days.
  6. Preheat oven to 325ºF 7 165ºC.
  7. Line baking cookie sheets with parchment paper.
  8. Cut logs into 1/4 inch rounds and place on the prepared sheets.
  9. Bake for about 15 minutes, until they start to dry and turn golden.
  10. Let cool on wire racks.

For the glaze:

  1. Mix sugar and juice until smooth and creamy.
  2. Glaze the top of the cooled shortbread cookies and finish with some zest before the glaze sets.
  3. They keep for a few days or a week in sealed tins.

Notes

  • Baking time: consider that all ovens and pans are different, even if they look similar. The baking time in my recipes is as accurate as it can be, but it might take you more or less time. You can use a thermometer(like the OXO oven thermometer) to check that your oven is at the right temperature. I recommend you keep track of how your oven works and what tiny details you might need to adjust. 
  • Refrigeration time: it's essential that you refrigerate the dough for 1 hour (at least) before slicing and baking. It will help the cookies keep their shape better and achieve that 'short' quality that will make them snap when you bite them.
  • Large batch: you can easily double or triple this recipe. Divide in two pieces (or three if making a lot of cookie dough) so you roll it a piece at a time and don't worry about it loosing temperature.
  • Freezing: it keeps well frozen for a month. Maybe more. Always well wrapped. Check out our Freezer Baking guide for more tips.
  • Author: Paula Montenegro
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Refrigeration time: 1 hour
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Cookies
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: International