Pineapple Cookies: Tropical Delights for Any Occasion
These delightful pineapple cookies bring a taste of the tropics to your kitchen with their perfect balance of sweetness and tang. The buttery cookie base cradles a luscious pineapple filling, creating a treat thatโs both comforting and exotic. With their golden-brown edges and soft centers, these cookies are as beautiful as they are delicious.
Perfect for afternoon tea, holiday cookie exchanges, or as a sweet ending to summer barbecues, pineapple cookies offer a unique twist on traditional favorites. The tropical flavor profile makes them stand out from ordinary cookies, while the simple preparation ensures anyone can master this recipe. Whether youโre a seasoned baker or just starting out, these pineapple cookies will quickly become a staple in your recipe collection.
Quick Recipe Highlights
- Flavor Profile: Sweet and tangy pineapple filling wrapped in a buttery, crumbly cookie dough creates a perfect balance of tropical flavors.
- Texture: The cookies feature a crisp exterior with a soft, melt-in-your-mouth interior that contrasts beautifully with the slightly chewy pineapple filling.
- Aroma: As they bake, your kitchen will fill with the heavenly scents of caramelized pineapple, vanilla, and butter.
- Visual Appeal: These golden cookies with their distinctive pineapple filling peeking through make for an eye-catching presentation on any dessert table.
- Skill Level Needed: Beginner-friendly recipe with straightforward techniques perfect for home bakers of all experience levels.
- Special Equipment: Requires only basic baking tools โ mixing bowls, baking sheets, and a cookie scoop or spoon.
Recipe Overview
- Difficulty Level: This pineapple cookie recipe is rated easy because it uses simple techniques like creaming butter and sugar, with no complicated steps or special skills required.
- Category: Perfect for dessert, snacks, or as part of a cookie platter for special occasions and holiday gatherings.
- Cuisine: While not tied to a specific culture, these cookies draw inspiration from tropical flavors and classic American baking traditions.
- Cost: Made with affordable pantry staples, these cookies are budget-friendly with fresh or canned pineapple both working well.
- Season: While delicious year-round, these cookies particularly shine during summer months when tropical flavors are most appealing.
- Occasion: Ideal for potlucks, bake sales, holiday cookie exchanges, or as homemade gifts packaged in decorative tins.
Why Youโll Love This Recipe
The irresistible combination of buttery cookie and tropical pineapple filling makes these treats impossible to resist. Unlike ordinary cookies, the pineapple adds natural sweetness and bright acidity that cuts through the richness, creating a more complex flavor profile. The texture contrast between the crumbly cookie and juicy filling provides satisfying mouthfeel with every bite.
These pineapple cookies come together quickly with minimal prep work, making them perfect for last-minute baking needs. The dough is forgiving and the filling can be made ahead, allowing for flexible preparation. Even novice bakers can achieve professional-looking results with this straightforward recipe.
Nutritionally, these cookies offer more than just empty calories. Pineapple provides vitamin C, manganese, and bromelain, an enzyme with anti-inflammatory properties. While still a treat, you can feel slightly better about indulging in these compared to plain sugar cookies.
Socially, these unique cookies always spark conversation at gatherings. Their tropical twist makes them memorable, and they pair beautifully with both coffee and tea. Package them creatively for gifts that will have recipients asking for the recipe.
Cost-wise, this recipe uses affordable ingredients that are easy to find year-round. Canned pineapple works perfectly, keeping costs low even when fresh pineapple isnโt in season. The recipe yields two dozen cookies, making it economical for sharing.
The Recipe
Pineapple Cookies
Serves: 24 cookies
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 12 mins
Total Time: 32 mins
Kitchen Equipment Needed
- Mixing bowls
- Electric mixer
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper
- Cookie scoop or spoon
- Saucepan
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups crushed pineapple, drained
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350ยฐF (175ยฐC) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a saucepan, combine drained pineapple, brown sugar, cornstarch, and cinnamon. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened (about 5 minutes). Remove from heat and let cool.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a large bowl, cream butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and flatten slightly in your palm. Place 1 teaspoon of pineapple filling in the center and fold dough around it, sealing completely.
- Place cookies 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets and bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are golden.
- Let cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.
Recipe Notes
- For extra flavor, add 1/2 teaspoon of grated ginger to the pineapple filling.
- Dough can be refrigerated for up to 2 days before baking.
- Store baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.