These Lemon Coconut Delights came out of a filming session with some of the Portuguese Kids — young helpers who joined me in the kitchen to make a few quick recipes together. We wanted something simple, fast, and delicious enough that nobody would be waiting around. The combination of sweet shredded coconut and fresh lemon zest is exactly that. You can make 28 of these in about 30 minutes, and they never last long.
What Are Lemon Coconut Delights?
Lemon Coconut Delights are small, chewy coconut cookies made from a stovetop dough of butter, sugar, eggs, sweetened shredded coconut, and fresh lemon zest. The dough is cooked briefly in a saucepan until it comes together, then scooped onto a baking sheet and baked until just golden. They sit somewhere between a macaroon and a coconut bar — not overly sweet, with a bright citrus note from the lemon. For an extra touch, drizzle them with melted chocolate once they’ve cooled.
How to Make Lemon Coconut Delights
Everything starts in a saucepan — melt the butter, add sugar, eggs, coconut, and lemon zest, and stir constantly over medium heat for about 10 minutes until the mixture forms a dough-like mass. Watch the heat; you want it to come together without scorching the bottom. Let it cool slightly, then scoop and shape by hand onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake at 350°F for 15 minutes until lightly golden. Cool before eating — they firm up as they rest.
Tips for the Best Lemon Coconut Delights
- Stir constantly while the dough cooks. Ten minutes on the stovetop goes fast, and it will burn if you walk away.
- Make sure the egg tempers quickly when added — stir fast so it incorporates into the warm butter mixture rather than scrambling.
- Let the dough cool slightly before shaping. It’s easier to handle and holds its shape better.
- Size is up to you — smaller pieces give you more cookies and bake more evenly. The recipe makes about 28 at a medium scoop.
- Parchment paper or a silicone baking mat makes cleanup easy and prevents sticking without greasing the pan.
- The chocolate drizzle is optional but strongly recommended. Melt any chocolate you like and drizzle over the cooled cookies.
- These store well in an airtight container at room temperature for several days — if they last that long.
A heavy-duty baking pan holds up to repeated use and bakes more evenly than flimsy sheets. A silicone baking mat eliminates the need to grease pans and cleans up in seconds.
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Serving and Storing
Serve at room temperature. They’re good the day they’re made and even better the next day once the texture has settled. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. If you’ve added the chocolate drizzle, keep them in a single layer so they don’t stick together.
PrintLemon Coconut Delights
Had a great time working with the Portuguese Kids. They helped film a couple of quick a delicious recipes. Here’s a quick tutorial on making Lemon Coconut Delights!!
Enjoy and share!
I was able to make 28 of them, but that all depends on the size you choose.
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 28 Bars 1x
- Category: Desserts
Ingredients
4 tablespoons of butter
2 eggs
1/2 cup sugar
2 1/2 cups of sweetened shredded coconut
Zest of 1 lemon
Instructions
Start by preheating the oven to 350 º F.
Meanwhile, melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add sugar, eggs, grated coconut and lemon zest and quickly stir everything together. You need to make sure the egg tempers quickly, so that it doesn’t become scrabbled. Continue mixing the ingredients for 10 minutes until it forms a dough like mass. Always making sure taking it does not burn at the bottom of the pan.
After the 10 minutes, remove pan from heat and let cool slightly.
Grease cookie sheet or line with parchment paper as to not stick. With a teaspoon start to pick up pieces of dough with your hands, and form into any shape you like or even a small ball.
Place in oven for about 15 minutes, until they are lightly golden browned.
Remove from oven and let cool before eating.
For an added treat…you could melt some chocolate and drizzle on top!! Enjoy!!!
Love Portuguese sweets? Try my Dona Amelias or Queijadas de Leite next.
