Almond Joy Cookies

5 from 17 votes

These Almond Joy Cookies are quick and easy to make and are wonderfully soft and fluffy! Ready to enjoy in 20 minutes for any coconut and chocolate lovers!

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These Almond Joy Cookies are a wonderful treat during the holidays and special occasions. They are soft and pillow-like with crisp edges and they’re loaded with coconut, chocolate and almonds – just like the almond joy chocolate bar. If you’re a fan of coconut and chocolate, you will love the cookies!

Almond Joy Cookies on a blue plate with one cut in half on the table
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If you’re a fan of those classic Almond Joy bars, you’re going to love these cookies! What I really love about these Almond Joy Cookies is how they bring together such fantastic flavors and textures. It’s like enjoying your favorite candy bar but in a freshly baked, warm cookie form. Perfect for when you want a sweet treat that’s a little bit different.

Made those Almond Joy cookies yesterday and they disappeared in no time. Soft and fluffy. Sweet and addicting. Thanks for all your recipes.” – Ann

Table of Contents

  1. Recipe at a glance
  2. Ingredients you’ll need to make almond joy cookies
  3. Popular substitutions & additions
  4. How to make almond joy cookies
  5. Tips for making the best almond joy cookies
  6. WHAT TO SERVE WITH COCONUT ALMOND JOY COOKIES
  7. How to store almond joy cookies
  8. Frequently asked questions
  9. More cookie recipes: 
  10. Almond Joy Cookies Recipe

Recipe at a glance

Cuisine Inspiration: American
Primary Cooking Method: Baking
Dietary Info: Vegetarian
Key Flavor: Almond and Chocolate
Skill Level: Easy

Summary

  • Classic Flavor Combination: Almond joy cookies combine the classic flavors of almond, coconut, and dark chocolate into a fun baked treat. 
  • Quick and Easy: With just a few simple steps, these cookies are ready to enjoy in 20 minutes from start to finish!
  • Texture Variety: Chewy coconut, crunchy sliced almonds, and smooth chocolate chips offer an array of textures.
  • So Many Cookies!: This recipe makes about 18 cookies, making it great for sharing. For a smaller batch, just use a larger cookie scoop.

Ingredients you’ll need to make almond joy cookies

  • Butter: Use unsalted butter in this recipe. If you use salted, you may want to skip the added salt.
  • Sugar: We use brown and white sugar in this recipe. You can use just one type, but the brown sugar ads a great flavor and helps to get the cookies nice and chewy.
  • Egg: To bind the ingredients together. Use free run / organic eggs if you can.
  • Almond Extract: For that wonderful almond flavor.
  • Flour, cornstarch, baking soda and salt.
  • Coconut: The recipe calls for shredded sweetened coconut but you can also use unsweetened for a less sweet cookie.
  • Chocolate chips: I like to use dark chocolate chips, but you can use dairy or even white.
  • Almonds: Sliced almonds add a great flavor and texture to these cookies.
  • To make it vegan: substitute the butter for vegan butter and substitute the eggs for a flax egg.
  • Toasted Coconut: Toast shredded coconut before adding it to the dough for a richer coco-nuttier flavor.
  • Candy Topping: These almond joy cookies are the perfect cookie to feature leftover Halloween candies. Place almond joy minis or chopped-up bars on top.
  • Almond Flour: For a more intense almond flavor, swap a portion of the all-purpose flour with almond flour. Especially if you don’t have almond extract, this swap should help impart more almond flavor.

How to make almond joy cookies

The cookie recipe starts with the usual list of dry ingredients and wet ingredients.

  • Dry Ingredients: all purpose flour, cornstarch, baking soda, salt
  • Wet Ingredients: butter, light brown sugar, white sugar, egg and almond extract
Dry ingredients in one bowl and wet ingredients in another bowl

To make the cookie batter, follow these steps:

  1. Combine the butter, brown sugar and cane sugar in a large bowl.
  2. Add the egg and almond extract and beat with an electric mixer.
  3. Add the coconut, chocolate chips and almonds.
  4. Stir to combine.
Process shots showing how to mix together the almond joy cookies

I use a #40 spring-loaded cookie scoop, which is equal to 2 tablespoons to scoop the dough into balls and place on a baking sheet. Bake.

Cookies prepared into balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper

You’ll know they’re done when they’re puffy but barely cooked through. You want to make sure not to let them brown because they will continue to bake on the heated pan after you remove them from the oven.

“My entire family love your cookies! I used to try to make a special cookie every week, but this has gone to the wayside since making these. 🥴😋” Lisa

Tips for making the best almond joy cookies

  1. Always scoop flour into a measuring cup and level with a knife. This helps to ensure accuracy in the final results, and it will vary from simply using the measuring cup to scoop the flour.
  2. Use parchment paper for best results. While it’s not necessary for the recipe, I find that it helps with even cookie baking, and plus it makes the cleanup so much easier!
  3. Use a cookie scoop to scoop the cookies quickly. Because I don’t bake much I never had one until about a year ago. But even the few cookie recipes a year are made so much easier and faster with a spring-loaded cookie scoop. I use the #40 stainless steel spring-loaded cookie scoop (Amazon affiliate link).
  4. Soften your butter before using. This will make it easier to combine with the other ingredients and you will get a more uniform texture. I like to take mine out of the fridge about 30 minutes before using it.

WHAT TO SERVE WITH COCONUT ALMOND JOY COOKIES

How to store almond joy cookies

After baking and cooled to room temperature, the cookies can be stored in an airtight container for 4 to 5 days.

How long will almond joy cookies last in the fridge?

When stored properly in an airtight container, your leftover almond joy cookies will be fresh for 2 to 3 days and in the fridge for about 5 days.

Can I freeze chocolate almond joy cookies?

You can freeze the baked cookies for up to 3 months. Place them on a baking sheet in the freezer until they are completely frozen. Then transfer them to freezer bags or an airtight container. To reheat the frozen cookies, bake them in a 350°F oven for 5 minutes or until until warmed through.

Or, you can make the dough ahead of time, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and freeze it. When ready to bake, allow the dough to thaw in the fridge until you’re ready to form and bake the cookies.

Frequently asked questions

What if I don’t have almond extract?

If you’re out of almond extract, you can substitute it with vanilla extract. While it won’t have the same intense almond flavor, your cookies will still be delicious. Try replacing a portion of the all purpose flour with almond flour to bring in some of that almond flavor another way.

Can I make almond joy cookies larger in size?

Certainly! Since the larger bakery-style cookies are becoming more popular many cookie recipes can be adapted to a larger size. Using a large cookie scoop, place only a few dough balls on your baking sheet with enough room for expansion. When adapting to a larger cookie, it’s important to pay attention to the baking time as these will need a few extra minutes in the oven.

How do you make soft cookies?

I always like to slightly under-bake my cookies so that they stay soft and the molasses in the brown sugar also helps them to keep a soft and slightly chewy texture. Be sure to store them in an airtight container to keep them as soft for as long as possible.

Hand picking up one almond joy cookie

Whether you’re a fan of the original Almond Joy candy bar, or looking for a sweet treat that combines chewy, crunchy, and creamy textures, these little bites are sure to hit the spot!

I hope you enjoy these cookies as much as we did – I know they disappeared pretty quickly! I love the flavor of the coconut in these cookies, it adds a wonderful sweetness!

If you make this feel good Almond Joy Cookies recipe, please be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! I would love to hear about your experience making it. And if you snapped some shots of it, share it with me on Instagram so I can repost on my stories!

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Almond Joy Cookies

These Almond Joy Cookies are quick and easy to make and are wonderfully soft and fluffy! Ready to enjoy in 20 minutes for any coconut and chocolate lovers!
5 from 17 votes
Servings 18 cookies
Course Snack
Calories 201
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes

Ingredients
  

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Whisk together the all purpose flour, cornstarch, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl
  • Combine the butter, brown sugar and cane sugar in a large bowl. Beat with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add the egg and almond extract. Add the coconut, chocolate chips and almonds. Stir to mix throughout the dough.
  • Use a spring-loaded cookie scoop to portion the dough into balls on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until cookies are puffy and barely cooked through – do not let them brown.
  • Cool for 1 minute on the tray and then transfer to a wire rack. They will settle as they cool. Yields 18 cookies.

Notes

Storage: When the cookies are completely cool, they can be stored in an airtight container or frozen.
Freezing Instructions: You can freeze the baked cookies for up to 3 months. Place them on a baking sheet in the freezer until they are completely frozen. Then transfer them to freezer bags or an airtight container. To reheat the frozen cookies, bake in a 350°F oven for 5 minutes, or until until warmed through.
Or, you can make the dough ahead of time, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and freeze. When ready to bake, allow the dough to thaw in the fridge until you’re ready to form and bake the cookies.
Substitutes: For best results, follow the recipe as is. However here are some common substitutions:
  • To make it vegan, substitute the butter for vegan butter and substitute the eggs for a flax egg, which is made by mixing together 1 tablespoon flaxseed with 2 tablespoons water and letting it rest for 5 minutes.
  • Instead of peanut butter, you could try these with other nut butters, but they may be more crumbly.
Almond Joy Cookies Excerpted from The Weeknight Dessert Cookbook: 80 Irresistible Recipes with Only 5 to 15 Minutes of Prep By Mary Younkin. Copyright © 2019. 

Nutrition

Calories: 201kcal, Carbohydrates: 21g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 12g, Saturated Fat: 8g, Cholesterol: 19mg, Sodium: 114mg, Potassium: 129mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 12g, Vitamin A: 130IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 46mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate. It will vary based on cooking method and specific ingredients used.

Cuisine American
Course: Snack

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Comments

  1. Really good! We used unsweetened coconut, so I think that made them a little more dry, but we prefer a less sweet cookie. Great with coffee – YUM!

  2. My entire family love your cookies! I used to try to make a special cookie every week, but this has gone to the wayside since making these. 🥴😋

      1. In the list of ingredients it says unsweetened coconut but then in the recipe it calls for sweetened so can you use either? Did you use sweetened or unsweetened?

  3. So, your recipe calls for a cup of flour. But your directions never indicate when you mix in your dry ingredients of flour, cornstarch, baking powder and salt. I am assuming it is in the same step as the chips, coconut and almonds. Just wanted to point this out, as you may want to edit.

    1. Oops, there is a missing step to whisk together the dry ingredients first. Thanks for bringing it to my attention. I just edited it.

  4. Made those Almond Joy cookies yesterday and they disappeared in no time. Soft and fluffy. Sweet and addicting. Thanks for all your recipes.