Pin it These Coconut Ube Besito Cookies bring together the best of Filipino and Latin dessert traditions. The combination of ube halaya (purple yam jam) and shredded coconut creates a uniquely colorful and flavorful treat that's both visually striking and delicious.
The dough comes together quickly with just 20 minutes of prep time, and the 15-minute bake yields tender, bite-sized cookies with a delightful coconut coating. Each cookie offers a perfect balance of sweetness from the ube and tropical notes from the coconut.
The vibrant purple color makes these cookies stand out on any dessert table, while the small besito (little kiss) size makes them perfect for sharing. Serve them with afternoon tea or coffee for a special treat that bridges cultural flavors beautifully.
The first time my aunt brought these to our family potluck, everyone kept asking what made them so special. She just smiled and said magic happens when ube and coconut become best friends. I've been making them ever since, and now they're the most requested treat at every gathering.
Last Christmas, I made three batches because my cousin kept eating them before they even cooled down completely. The way the coconut gets slightly crispy while the centers stay tender is absolutely irresistible.
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour: The foundation that holds everything together, giving these cookies their perfect structure
- Baking powder: Helps these little beauties rise just enough to stay tender and light
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and makes all the flavors pop
- Unsalted butter: Softened to room temperature so it creams perfectly with the sugar for that melt-in-your-mouth texture
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens just enough without overpowering the delicate ube flavor
- Ube halaya: The star of the show, giving these cookies their gorgeous purple color and unique earthy sweetness
- Egg: Binds everything together while adding richness
- Vanilla extract: Enhances all the flavors and adds that classic cookie aroma
- Sweetened shredded coconut: Folded into the dough for pockets of tropical sweetness in every bite
- Desiccated coconut: The perfect coating that adds a lovely texture and beautiful snowy exterior
- Ube extract: Optional but wonderful for an extra burst of color and that unmistakable ube flavor
Instructions
- Preheat your oven:
- Get your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper so nothing sticks
- Mix the dry ingredients:
- Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl until well combined
- Cream the butter and sugar:
- Beat them together for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy
- Add the wet ingredients:
- Mix in the egg, ube halaya, and vanilla until completely incorporated
- Combine everything:
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined
- Fold in the coconut:
- Gently mix in the shredded coconut until evenly distributed
- Shape the cookies:
- Scoop 1-tablespoon portions, roll into balls, and coat each one in desiccated coconut
- Arrange and bake:
- Place them 2 inches apart on the baking sheet and bake for 13-15 minutes until set and lightly golden on the bottoms
- Cool completely:
- Let them sit on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before moving to a wire rack
Pin it These became my go-to comfort bake during rainy weekends when the purple hue brightens up the whole kitchen. There is something so satisfying about seeing those little snow-capped beauties come out of the oven.
Making Ahead And Storing
The dough actually freezes beautifully if you want to bake fresh cookies later. Just scoop and freeze the balls on a tray, then transfer to a bag once frozen solid.
Ube Substitutions
Real ube halaya can be tricky to find depending on where you live, but ube powder works wonderfully when reconstituted according to package instructions. The flavor stays authentic even with the swap.
Serving Suggestions
These cookies are absolutely perfect with a cup of hot tea or coffee, especially in the afternoon when you need a little pick-me-up.
- A pinch of ground cardamom adds a lovely floral note that pairs beautifully with ube
- Try sandwiching two cookies with a little cream cheese frosting for an extra special treat
- They make wonderful gifts packed in pretty boxes or cellophane bags
Pin it Hope these little purple coconut dreams bring as much joy to your kitchen as they have to mine.
Recipe Questions & Answers
- → What makes these cookies unique?
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These cookies combine Filipino ube (purple yam) with Latin American besito-style coconut coating, creating a vibrant purple and white treat that bridges two culinary traditions through flavor and presentation.
- → Can I make these ahead of time?
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Yes, the dough can be prepared and refrigerated for up to 2 days before baking. You can also freeze portioned dough balls for up to 3 months and bake them directly from frozen, adding 1-2 minutes to the baking time.
- → What can I use if I can't find ube halaya?
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You can substitute ube powder reconstituted with water according to package instructions, or use purple sweet potato puree with a few drops of purple food coloring and additional sugar to mimic the jam's consistency and sweetness.
- → Why are my cookies spreading too much?
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This may happen if the butter is too soft or the dough is warm. Chill the dough for 15-20 minutes before baking if it feels sticky. Also ensure your oven is fully preheated to 350°F before placing the cookies inside.
- → How should I store these cookies?
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Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer freshness, keep them in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, though they may lose some of their tender texture when chilled.
- → Can I make these gluten-free?
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Yes, substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend that contains xanthan gum. The texture may be slightly more crumbly, but the flavor profile remains the same.
