No-Bake Orange Coconut Cookie Bites are a delicious mini dessert. They are full of flavor from the orange marmalade and have a nice crunch from the pecans and coconut.
If you enjoy simple and flavorful desserts, this recipe is perfect for you. The Orange Coconut Vanilla Cookie Bites don’t need much time in the kitchen. These no-bake treats combine the nostalgic taste of vanilla wafers with the bright, fresh flavors of orange and coconut. They are a perfect choice for a quick dessert or snack.They are satisfying, easy to make, and full of comforting, tropical flavors. Plus, you only need a few basic ingredients and they can be stored for several days. This makes them an ideal make-ahead dessert. Let’s break down this recipe and explore why the cookie bites are so delicious.
Ingredients Breakdown
Before we get into the step-by-step process, let’s first look at the ingredients. These ingredients make the cookie bites so special.
- Vanilla Wafers give the base for these cookie bites, acting as the foundation for the texture and flavor. They are slightly sweet and have that light, vanilla flavor that works well with both citrus and coconut. The crushed wafers become the perfect “dough” base when mixed with the other ingredients. If you don’t have a food processor or blender, place the wafers in a sealed bag. Then use a rolling pin to crush them by hand.
- Powdered Sugar add sweetness and helps bind the cookie bites together. Using it in the dough provides a pleasant balance of sweetness. As a coating, it complements the natural tang of the orange juice and marmalade. Rolling the bites in powdered sugar also gives them that classic, snowball-like finish, adding to their charm.
- Pecans add a slight crunch to the otherwise soft texture of these bites. They also bring a subtle nuttiness that pairs well with both coconut and orange. If you prefer, you could substitute the pecans with walnuts. You could even use almonds. Pecans tend to have a milder flavor that blends perfectly in this recipe.
- Shredded Sweetened Coconut is where these cookie bites get their tropical twist. The shredded coconut, especially the sweetened variety, contributes both flavor and texture. Coconut pairs naturally with citrus flavors like orange. It also adds a bit of chewiness to each bite.
- Orange Marmalade brings a concentrated citrus punch that enhances the flavor of the orange juice. It has a slightly bitter undertone from the orange peel. This bitterness helps balance the sweetness of the sugar and coconut. Marmalade adds moisture and a depth of flavor that makes these cookie bites stand out.
- Orange Juice adds brightness and acidity, helping to moisten the dough and giving the cookie bites a lovely citrus flavor. You may need to adjust the amount slightly. It depends on how dry the mixture is. This adjustment is key to achieving the right consistency and flavor.
- Cinnamon adds warmth and spice to the mix, subtly enhancing the sweetness and citrus notes. While it’s only a small amount, it makes a noticeable difference, giving the bites a cozy, fall-inspired flavor.
Step-by-Step Instructions
You now know what each ingredient brings to the table. Let’s walk through the process of making these delicious cookie bites.
- Crush the Vanilla Wafers and Pecans if needed. Use a food processor or blender for the best results. This will guarantee everything is finely crushed. If you don’t have a food processor or blender, you can crush them by hand. Pour the crushed wafers and pecans into a large mixing bowl.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients. To the bowl of wafer crumbs and pecans, add the powdered sugar and cinnamon. Stir everything together until well combined. This mixture is your dry base, which will hold the cookie bites together.
- Blend the Coconut and Orange Marmalade in a blender or food processor. Pulse only a few times to incorporate both ingredients together without over processing it. This will create a sticky, fragrant mixture that adds moisture and flavor to the cookie bites.
- Combine the Wet and Dry Ingredients by adding the coconut-marmalade mixture to the bowl of dry ingredients. Pour in the orange juice and stir the mixture by hand until everything comes together. You are looking for a crumbly dough that will hold its shape when pressed into balls. If the mixture feels too dry, add more orange juice. Add it one teaspoon at a time until it reaches the right consistency.
- Shape the Cookie Bites. Once the dough has come together, it’s time to form them into balls. Dust your hands with powdered sugar to prevent sticking, and scoop out 1-tablespoon-sized portions of dough. Roll each piece into a ball, then roll it in the extra powdered sugar to coat the outside.
- Store and Serve. Place the finished cookie bites on a parchment-lined tray or container. They should be stored in the refrigerator in a covered container, where they will stay fresh for 6-7 days. They are perfect for serving at parties, enjoying with afternoon tea, or for satisfying a sweet craving anytime.
Customizing the Recipe
One of the great things about this recipe is how versatile it is. Here are a few ways you can customize these cookie bites:
- Add a drizzle of melted chocolate: If you are a fan of chocolate and orange, drizzle the cookies with melted dark chocolate or white chocolate instead of the powdered sugar. Add a sprinkle of holiday sprinkles before the chocolate sets to dress them up!
- Swap the citrus: If orange isn’t your favorite flavor, substitute lemon or lime juice. This will give you a different citrus twist. Lemon-coconut bites, for example, would be just as delicious.
- Try different nuts: Pecans are a great choice. But, feel free to experiment with other nuts. Try almonds, walnuts, or even pistachios for a unique twist.
- Add dried fruit: You can amp up the fruity flavor. Mix in some finely chopped dried apricots or cranberries.
Why You’ll Love These Orange Coconut Vanilla Cookie Bites
- No baking required: This is an easy, no-fuss recipe that doesn’t require turning on the oven.
- Perfect for make-ahead: These bites keep well for nearly a week, making them ideal for preparing ahead of time for parties, gatherings, or just to have a quick dessert on hand.
- Great balance of flavors: The bright citrus from the orange, the tropical sweetness of coconut, and the vanilla wafer base make for a dessert that hits all of the right notes.
Orange Coconut Vanilla Cookie Bites: A Delicious No-Bake Treat
Course: Christmas, CookiesCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy25
servings15
minutesOrange and coconut are always delicious together. Blend them with cookie crumbs and roll them in sugar and you have an amazing little dessert bite!
Ingredients
1 12oz. box Vanilla Wafers, crushed
3/4 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup pecans, finely chopped
3/4 cup shredded sweetened coconut
1/2 cup orange marmalade
1/2 cup orange juice
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup powdered sugar for rolling
Directions
- Crush the whole box of vanilla wafers in a blender or food processor. Along with the pecans if you need to. (I used the pecans bits that are available at most grocery stores and didn’t need to blend them.)
- Pour the cookie crumbs and pecans into a large mixing bowl. Add the powdered sugar and cinnamon. Mix until everything is combined.
- Add the shredded coconut and the orange marmalade into the blender and pulse 2-3 times.
- Pour the coconut mixture into the dry mix along with the orange juice.
- Stir by hand until the crumbs all come together and will easily form a ball. The dough should be crumbly and a little dry. Add additional orange juice by the teaspoon if the dough is too dry to form a ball.
- To form the cookie bites, dust hands with powdered sugar and scoop out 1 tablespoon of dough. Roll the dough around in a bowl of powdered sugar and then shape into balls with hands.
- Store the cookie bites in a parchment-lined and tightly covered container into the refrigerator. The are good for 6-7 days.
Click on the links for a couple of my favorite Christmas recipes: Peanut Butter Fudge and Chocolate Fudge Turtle Cookies 😁. They are both quick to make and are a pretty addition to any cookie tray!