There’s a special kind of comfort in that mix of chewy coconut, melty chocolate, and roasted almonds. It hits all the right notes—like a warm blanket in cookie form. This almond joy cookies recipe brings together those familiar flavors in the best way. Sweet, soft, a little crunchy… and seriously hard to stop snacking on.
Funny thing is, I didn’t always love Almond Joys. I used to trade them away for peanut butter cups—rookie mistake. But over time, I grew into their charm. Now? I can’t bake a batch of these without sneaking at least two straight off the tray. They’ve become one of those recipes I return to over and over again—because, you know, some things just feel like home.
Table of Contents
Ingredients for Almond Joy Cookies
This is one of those bake-what-you-have-on-hand kinda recipes. No need for anything fancy—just a few pantry basics and some feel-good mix-ins.
Dry Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
Wet Ingredients:
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Mix-ins:
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ¾ cup sweetened shredded coconut
- ½ cup chopped roasted almonds
🔗 Need help understanding the role of ingredients? This cookie science guide by King Arthur Baking is fantastic.
Tips for Ingredient Success
- Sweetened vs. Unsweetened Coconut: Go with sweetened if you want that signature chewy bite. Unsweetened works, sure, but the texture’s not quite as soft and rich. Just saying.
- Toast the Almonds: This step makes a big difference. I swear, toasting them brings out this deep, nutty flavor that makes every bite pop. Here’s a quick guide to toasting nuts.
- Room-Temp Butter Wins: Melted butter will flatten your cookies. Cold butter won’t cream right. Soft, spreadable butter is the sweet spot.
- Brown Sugar Brings the Cozy: Adds a warm caramel tone and keeps the cookies soft. Don’t skip it. Ever.

How to Make Almond Joy Cookies (Step-by-Step)
This recipe is all about rhythm—once you get into it, you’re just vibing in the kitchen. It’s simple, relaxing, and honestly kind of fun.
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven
350°F (175°C). Parchment on your baking sheet. Easy cleanup, always. - Mix your dry ingredients
Flour, baking soda, and salt. Whisk it up and set it aside. - Cream your butter and sugars
Beat until light, fluffy, and almost whipped-looking. Smells sweet already, right? - Add the egg and vanilla
Mix until it’s all blended into a soft, silky dough base. - Combine wet and dry
Slowly add the dry mix to the wet one. Stir just until combined. No need to overdo it. - Fold in the mix-ins
Coconut, chocolate chips, chopped almonds—every scoop should look like a party. - Scoop and drop
Go for about 1.5 tablespoons of dough per cookie. They’ll spread, so give them space. - Bake for 10–12 minutes
The edges should be golden, but the centers still look soft. That’s the sweet spot. - Cool before devouring
Let them chill for a few minutes on the baking sheet, then move them to a wire rack. I know it’s hard to wait. I get it.

Optional Twists to Try
Once you get the base down, there’s a ton of room to play. Try one of these if you’re in the mood for something new:
- Drizzle with melted chocolate — always a good idea
- Swap in dark chocolate chunks for deeper flavor
- Use almond flour for a slightly denser, nuttier cookie (Guide: almond flour vs. regular flour)
- Sprinkle with flaky salt before baking—trust me, just do it
- Make them mini and pretend that means you can eat more (you can)
A Sweet Little Memory
I’ll never forget the first time I saw my mom sneak an Almond Joy from her stash. She kept them hidden in an old tin above the fridge, tucked behind some random lightbulbs. One afternoon, she caught me watching and broke off half to share. I didn’t even like coconut back then, but something about that moment stuck.
Now, every time I bake these cookies, I feel like I’m back there—standing barefoot in our tiny kitchen, sunshine coming through the window, wondering if maybe dessert could come before dinner… just this once.

If You Love These, Try…
If you’re into cozy, nostalgic flavors (and I mean, who isn’t?), you might want to check out these next:
- Chocolate Coconut Snowball Cookies — fluffy, sweet, and perfect with a warm drink
- Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies Without Brown Sugar — soft centers, golden edges, and not a grain of brown sugar in sight
Bring Joy to Your Cookie Jar
There’s something about this almond joy cookies recipe that feels like more than just a sweet treat. It’s familiar. It’s cozy. And it brings a little bit of joy—especially when your day needs a boost.
So go ahead. Turn up the music, tie on your favorite apron (or not), and fill your kitchen with the smell of something warm and chocolatey. These cookies won’t fix everything, but honestly? They come pretty close.
FAQ
Can I use unsweetened coconut instead?
Yep! Just know the cookies might be a little less chewy and sweet. Still delicious, though.
Can I make these gluten-free?
Totally. Just use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Works like a charm. Here’s one I recommend.
What’s the best way to store them?
Airtight container at room temp for 4–5 days. Or freeze them for longer—just reheat gently when ready.
Can I use whole almonds instead of chopped?
You can, but chopped gives you more even crunch in every bite. It’s worth the extra chopping.
Why did my cookies flatten out too much?
Your butter might’ve been too soft. Try chilling the dough for 20–30 minutes next time. It really helps.
Almond Joy Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Chewy coconut, melty chocolate chips, and crunchy roasted almonds come together in these nostalgic Almond Joy Cookies. Soft in the center, crisp on the edges, and full of flavor in every bite.
Ingredients
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1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
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½ tsp baking soda
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½ tsp salt
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½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
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½ cup granulated sugar
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½ cup brown sugar (packed)
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1 large egg
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1 tsp vanilla extract
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1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
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¾ cup sweetened shredded coconut
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½ cup chopped roasted almonds
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
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In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
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In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars until fluffy (2–3 minutes).
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Add egg and vanilla. Mix until smooth.
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Gradually add dry ingredients to wet, mixing just until combined.
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Fold in chocolate chips, coconut, and almonds.
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Scoop dough into 1.5 tbsp balls and place 2″ apart on sheet.
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Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until edges are golden.
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Cool on sheet for 5 mins, then transfer to a wire rack.
Notes
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Toast the almonds for added flavor.
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Don’t overbake – they’ll set as they cool.
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Use a cookie scoop for evenly sized cookies.
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Chill the dough for thicker cookies if your kitchen is warm.
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Sprinkle flaky salt on top before baking for a gourmet twist.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 160 kcal
- Sugar: 13g
- Sodium: 80mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.5g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 13g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: almond joy cookies, chocolate chip, coconut, homemade cookies, chewy cookies, easy dessert