These Coconut Thumbprint Cookies are an easy, naturally sweet treat made with just ripe bananas and shredded coconut, then finished with a rich chocolate center. These easy coconut cookies come out chewy and soft and don’t contain any flour, butter, eggs, or added sugar. Simple to make and baked in under 20 minutes, they’re a wholesome, gluten-free option for a quick snack or better-for-you dessert.
1cup (212g)banana puree, see note before starting, plus additional 2 tbsp for filling
1 1/2cups (110g)finely shredded unsweetened coconut, see note
1/2cup (79g)dark chocolate chips, see note before starting
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
Add banana puree and shredded coconut to a large mixing bowl and mix until the coconut is fully incorporated. The mixture should be thick, like a paste.
Use a 1.5 tbsp cookie scoop to scoop the dough and release it onto your prepared baking sheet, spacing about 2 inches apart. The dough balls should be thick enough to hold their form.
Use the back of a round 1 teaspoon measuring spoon to press an indent into the center of each cookie dough ball. Your cookie should be about 2 inches wide, with a well in the center that is about 1 to 1 1/4 inch wide. You can also smooth the edges of the cookies to make them more round. The cookies do not spread much during baking, so you want to shape them how you want the final outcome to be.
Bake for 20-30 minutes, until the edges and surface are browned and the tops look set and no longer wet. Baking time can vary depending on how much moisture is in your bananas and the type of coconut used. The important thing is to bake until the cookies look set and browned.
Let the cookies cool completely on the baking sheet before removing them.
Add the chocolate chips to a microwave-safe bowl and microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until fully melted and smooth. If you prefer a softer chocolate center, stir in 2 tbsp banana puree and mix until the banana is fully incorporated. See notes section regarding the chocolate center texture differences.
Spoon or pipe the melted chocolate into the center of each cookie, filling the thumbprint wells.
Let the chocolate set at room temperature or refrigerate for 10–15 minutes until firm. Serve the cookies once the chocolate is set. Store any uneaten cookies in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer.
Notes
Banana note: This recipe works best with very ripe bananas which are sweeter. The bananas will need to be pureed in a blender until smooth before using. You will need approximately 3 large bananas to make 1 cup + 2 tbsp of banana puree, but please use a measuring cup or scale to make sure you have a more exact measurement.
Chocolate note: If you need these cookies to be refined sugar free and/or dairy free, make sure to choose a chocolate that is refined sugar free and dairy free. I used Hu dark chocolate chips which are dairy-free and sweetened with unrefined coconut sugar.
Chocolate filling note: The chocolate filling will be solid (similar to peanut butter blossom cookies). If you prefer a slightly softer chocolate filling, mix in 2 tbsp of banana puree to the melted dark chocolate. This will keep the chocolate a little softer, but it is a little harder to fill the center of the thumbprints smoothly because the melted chocolate will be thicker with the added banana.
The nutrition information provided are only estimates based on an online nutritional calculator. This is not a comprehensive list of all the nutrients in the recipe (i.e., does not include vitamins, cholesterol, etc). I am not a certified nutritionist. Please consult a nutritionist or doctor for accurate information and any dietary restrictions and concerns you may have.