These easy, no-bake Coconut Praline Cookies combine pecans, chewy coconut, and sugar with a sprinkle of sea salt for balance, into the perfect sweet treat. Everything you love about pralines in handheld cookie form!
No Bake Coconut Praline Cookie
Calling all candied pecan lovers! If you’re looking for something simple, scrumptious, and a little extra indulgent this holiday season, these chewy, sweet, and crunchy no bake praline pecan cookies are it!
Whether you consider them candy or cookies, these southern-inspired treats are easy and delicious and that’s all that matters.
There’s no stopping at a single cookie. The only time that happens is if you’re lucky enough to reach for the last one!
They’re made with chunks of pecan chips and coconut flakes set in a soft and sticky toffee-like cookie.
All you need to do is make the mixture, throw in your add-ins for texture, and set until you’re ready to eat. Easy peasy!
Why you’ll love these No Bake Praline Pecan Cookies
Any time of year – Enjoy the caramelized nutty flavors this Christmas and then again in the hot summer when you want to satisfy a sweet tooth without turning on the oven!
Simple ingredients – You likely have these ingredients in the pantry already.
Make great gifts – These no-bake treats are kept at room temperature so they’re easy to transport to a friend or neighbor.
Little helpers – You’ll need an adult present for the boiling of the mixture, but there are definitely parts of the kids can do too! A great kitchen activity when it’s too cold to go outside!
Equipment you’ll need
- Candy Thermometer – For an accurate reading of the boiling candy. It’s easy to burn candy without it!
- Cookie Scoop – An easy way to scoop out even amounts of cookies.
- Cookie Sheet – You’ll line a baking sheets with wax paper or parchment paper to scoop the pecan mixture onto.
Ingredients
Below is a list of the ingredients you’ll need to gather to make this recipe. Scroll all the way down for the full recipe card.
- Sugar – We’re using both dark brown sugar and white granulated sugar. They both add the needed sweetness, but the brown sugar gives it the depth of flavor and color.
- Evaporated Milk – Also known as unsweetened condensed milk. Do not confuse it with its sweetened counterpart or you’re just asking for sweetness overload. What you want is thick condensed milk that has no sugar added, like what we use in chocolate espresso caramels.
- Light Corn Syrup – This also adds sweetness but it also gives the no bake praline pecan cookies their sheen, golden color, and chewy texture.
- Salted Butter – Cut the butter into cubes before adding it to the saucepan. This helps it to melt faster into the mixture.
- Vanilla Extract – A warm flavor that helps enhance the overall taste of these sweet treats.
- Unsweetened Coconut Flakes – Again, we’re opting for unsweetened because of the sugar that’s already present. Dried coconut flakes can be found in the bakery section of most grocery stores.
- Pecan Chips – Chopped pecans or pecan chips can be found in a store-bought bag, or you can chop them yourself if you have some whole. If you get a large bag, make some baked brie with pecans & honey, too!
- Maldon Salt – A sprinkling of this quality coarse sea salt on top is the perfect way to finish off these cookies. The sweet and salty balance is the best.
How to make No Bake Praline Pecan Cookies
- Step One: Add brown sugar, white sugar, evaporated milk, corn syrup, and butter to a large saucepan. Stir frequently over medium heat until melted. The mixture should be nice and smooth.
- Step Two: Fit a candy thermometer to the side of your pan, and allow the mixture to come to a boil. Without stirring, wait about 3 minutes for the mixture to reach 235°F.
- Step Three: Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla. Then, pour in the coconut flakes and pecans and stir until it thickens, for about 4-5 minutes.
- Step Four: Use a medium cookie scoop to portion out large spoonfuls of the mixture onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. No need to make these drop cookies look pretty, they’re meant to be rustic!
- Step Five: Sprinkle with sea salt and let them chill in the fridge for about 1 hour until they set.
What to serve with Coconut Pecan Praline Cookies
If you’re going for no-bake, might as well go all out!
Fill up your dessert tray with No bake reindeer poop cookies, no bake avalanche cookies, and no bake chocolate peanut butter haystack cookies!
Possible Substitutions/Additions
- You can use light brown sugar over dark brown if preferred.
- Swap the pecans with peanuts or almonds if you’re not a fan of pecans. Depending on who you ask these may no longer be considered pralines, but oh well! Peanut brittle and candied almonds are popular for a reason.
- Toast the pecans before chopping them up for a little extra flavor.
- Omit the coconut flakes if you desire.
How to store No Bake Praline Pecan Cookies
How to store leftovers
Always keep these stored in an airtight container so they don’t dry out. Keep them nice and chewy!
How long will no bake praline cookies last at room temperature?
Store them on the counter for up to 1 week.
Can I freeze no bake cookies?
These are great for freezing! Layer them with parchment paper so they don’t stick together and keep them in a freezer-friendly bag or airtight container for up to 1 month.
FAQs
Can I make these without a candy thermometer?
You can for sure (though I don’t really trust myself!). You’ll want to keep a watchful eye on the mixture as it boils. The last thing you want is to burn it! You also don’t want to undercook it.
Check at the 3-minute mark, and you should be good to go. The thermometer is more for accuracy and peace of mind, but if you’re ok going ahead without it, give it a try.
What does a medium cookie scoop amount to?
It’s about 2 Tablespoons, which is a great size for these no-bake praline pecan cookies.
Are pecan chips the same as chopped pecans?
Yes and no. Pecan chips are finely chopped pecans (I use them on my pistachio cake).
When you buy “pecan pieces”, what you get in the package is a bit more random. Big pieces, small pieces, and everything in between.
If you opt to chop them yourself, you obviously get to control the size.
Need more nutty dessert recipes? Try these:
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cornflake Cookies
White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies
Cinnamon Sugar Candied Cashews
Click here for my entire collection of dessert recipes.
No Bake Praline Pecan Cookies
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups dark brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated white sugar
- ½ cup evaporated milk
- ½ cup light corn syrup
- ½ cup salted butter cubed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups unsweetened coconut flakes
- 2 cups pecan chips
- 1 teaspoon Maldon salt
Instructions
- In a large saucepan over medium heat, add the brown sugar, granulated sugar, evaporated milk, corn syrup, and butter. Stir together, frequently, until smooth and melted.
- With a candy thermometer fitted to the side of the pan, bring the mixture to a boil and allow to continue to boil, without stirring, until it reaches 235°F (soft ball state). This should take approximately 3 minutes.
- Once the thermometer reads 235°F, remove the pan from the heat and stir in the vanilla.
- Pour in the coconut flakes and pecan chips and stir the mixture for 4-5 minutes. It will thicken as it cools.
- Use a medium cookie scoop (approximately 2 tablespoons) to portion out the mixture onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Sprinkle with sea salt and move to the fridge to cool, approximately 1 hour.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
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They taste great, but they won’t come off the parchment paper… any idea what I did wrong??
No, I’m not sure what you did. They come off easily for me. Maybe try wax paper next time? Did you chill them?
Not sure why “they taste great” = 2 stars though…
Mine did not come of the parchment paper easily, either. I may spray with PAM next time
how do you clean the pan?!?!?
You use parchment or wax paper as directed 🙂 or even a silicone mat
I am wondering if you can leave out the coconut?
Sure can 🙂