Easy Pineapple Cake Mix Cookies with Pineapple Glaze

Craving pineapple cookies without the hassle? Then pineapple cake mix cookies are for you.

Like most cake mix cookies, this amazing recipe will produce large, gooey, soft pineapple cookies. But these cookies stand out with a gorgeous pineapple glaze and a dusting of toasted coconut flakes on top.

The glaze -- plus a secret ingredient that pumps up the cake mix flavor -- makes these cookies extra moist.

This dessert is perfect for tropical-themed get-togethers, dinner parties, or teacher appreciation lunches.

The cookies are eye-catching enough to impress your friends. But quick enough to whip up in about an hour (cooling time included).

And with a box of cake mix plus a few other ingredients, the recipe is a breeze to make. 

So grab your grass skirt apron, turn on some tropical tunes, and let's get baking.

These Cookies are Irresistible -- Here's Why

• Moist, sweet, and gooey. You won't find this combination of tropical flavors, gooey texture, and sweetness every day. These cookies are unique and unforgettable.

• Easy to whip up. These are beginner cookies with no special skills required. And you won't even have to pull out your electric mixer.
  
  A box of your favorite cake mix, a mixing bowl, and a wooden spoon are all you need.

• Festive and pretty for parties. Any time of year is a good time for pineapple cookies. The pineapple glaze makes them especially attractive at themed parties. 

Ingredients

• Box of pineapple cake mix. I prefer Duncan Hines cake mix, but you can use any brand of pineapple mix.

• Instant vanilla pudding mix. Pudding mix is the secret ingredient that adds flavor and moisture to these delicious cookies. All cake mix recipe cookies taste sooo much better with this simple addition.

• Unsalted butter. Once you try butter in a cake mix cookie recipe, you won't ever want to use vegetable oil again. Butter makes a flavorful cookie.

• Large eggs. Use room-temperature eggs in this recipe.

Glaze

• Powdered sugar
• Pineapple juice
• Milk
• Coconut extract
• Coconut flakes

RELATED: Check out this post on how long cake mix is good for. It is good longer than you think.

Substitutions

• Try regular frosting instead of the glaze. Buttercream or cream cheese frosting are both fantastic alternatives. Use a pastry bag to pipe the frosting on.

• Instead of coconut, top the cookies with macadamia nuts. Or even better, use both coconut and chopped nuts.

• Use another flavor box of cake mix instead of pineapple cake mix. Yellow or white cake mix can both work for this basic recipe, though the pineapple flavor will now only come from the glaze.

Variations

Any of these pineapple cookie recipes are delicious, but some may require more ingredients and time.

• Make pineapple upside-down cookies with canned pineapple and cherries. These aren't simple drop cookies anymore.
  
  Add brown sugar and pineapple pieces to the dough. Be sure to get as much pineapple juice off the bits of pineapples as possible to prevent soggy cookies.
  
  Before baking, place a single maraschino cherry on top of each cookie. It's not exactly a pineapple upside-down cake. But close.

• Try different mix-ins for various flavor combinations -- like white chocolate chips, dried cherries, and macadamia nuts. Or, for a more tropical flavor, add dried mango and coconut flakes.

Tools

• Large mixing bowl (buy here)
• Nordic Ware baking sheet (buy here)
• Parchment paper liners (buy here)
• 2 tablespoon cookie scoop (buy here)
• Cookie ring (buy here)

Directions

• Preheat the oven and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

• In a microwave-safe bowl, zap the butter until it's melted (about 45 seconds). Let it sit for a couple of minutes to cool a bit.

• In a large bowl, combine cake mix, pudding mix, melted butter, and eggs. Mix well with a wooden spoon.
  
  Drag a spatula around the bowl's edges to ensure you've thoroughly mixed everything.

• Use a large (2 tablespoon) cookie scoop and shape the dough into a ball with your hands. Place them about 2 inches apart on the cookie sheet.

• Flatten the cookie dough balls slightly with the bottom of a glass.

• Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for 11 to 13 minutes. Bake until the edges are a golden brown, even if the centers look a tad undercooked.
  
  Thanks to the residual heat from the pan, the cookies will continue baking a bit more when they're out of the oven.

• For perfectly shaped cookies, grab a round cookie cutter (about 3 inches). Place the ring around a warm cookie, making sure the cookie is entirely inside.
  
  Gently rotate the cookie cutter for roughly 5 seconds. The warm cookie will slowly reshape inside the ring, making it perfectly round. Do this for all your cookies.

• Cool cookies on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Afterward, transfer the cookies from the pan to the wire rack for complete cooling. While they're cooling, toast the coconut.

Toast the Coconut

• Preheat a skillet on the stove on medium-high heat for 5 minutes.

• Spread the coconut in a single layer on the skillet.

• Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent the coconut from burning. Don't walk away because the coconut can burn very quickly.

Make the Pineapple Glaze

Make the glaze when the cookies are cool.

• Whisk the pineapple juice, milk, and coconut extract (if you're using it) into the powdered sugar. Stir until the glaze is lump-free and smooth.

• Place cookies on a cooling rack with parchment paper underneath to catch any drips.

• Dollop 1 to 2 teaspoons of this glaze on the tops of the cookies. Smooth with a knife or spatula.

• While the glaze is still wet, sprinkle the cookie with the toasted coconut. Wait a bit for the glaze to set firm.

Tasty Tips

• Don't skip the pudding mix. Plain cake mixes come to life with a dry pudding mix. It's true when baking a cake or making cookies with a mix. Try it, and you'll agree.

• Let the dough rest. The cookie dough's texture is best when allowed to sit for a few minutes.
  
  At first, the dough might look and feel oily. But after about 10 minutes, the texture will be perfect for scooping.

• Shape the cookie for the prettiest results. Using a cookie ring right after the cookies come out of the oven can help make perfectly round cookies.
  
  It takes some practice to shape them at the right time. Wait too long, and the cookie will be too solid to shape.
  
  Be too aggressive, and the cookie will mound into a lump.
  
  Use gentle pressure for about 20 seconds after the cookies come out of the oven. And don't be too hard on yourself if they all don't look identical.
  
  Even after shaping hundreds of cookies, I still don't always get them perfectly identical.

How to Store

Store the cookies only when the glaze is dry. Keep the pineapple drop cookies at room temperature in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days.

Freezing is a great way to store them longer.

How Long do Pineapple Cake Mix Cookies Last?

For best results, eat the cookies in 2 to 3 days. However, they will last up to 4 days. After that, they will start to taste dry.

How to Freeze

Flash freeze the cookies first to prevent them from sticking to each other in the freezer. Here's how.

• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. The parchment paper will keep the cookies from freezing to the pan.

• Place the cookies in a single layer on the prepared cookie sheet. Place the pan in the freezer and freeze for 1 hour.

• After an hour, transfer the cookies to a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. 
  
  Optional: For extra moisture protection, wrap each cookie with plastic wrap before placing them in the freezer container.

• Label the container and freeze for at least 4 months.

Remove a cookie from the freezer when you are ready for a treat. Thaw it at room temperature for about 30 minutes (depending on your kitchen's temperature). Then enjoy.

What to Serve with Pineapple Cookies

Any tropical or potluck food is fantastic with pineapple cookies.

• Chicken salad sandwiches

• Pulled pork sliders or turkey sliders

Hungry for More Easy Cookie Recipes

You'll love all of these easy cake mix cookies. Cake cookies are an easy dessert for potlucks, parties, or snacks.

• Lemon cake mix cookies. Drizzle lemon white chocolate glaze on each cookie.

• Dipped and decorated cherry chip cookies. Melt white chocolate chips or wafers. Dip each cookie and sprinkle with nonpareils or sprinkles.

• Funfetti cookies with cream cheese frosting. Sprinkle with jimmies for a fun look. Or make Funfetti cookie sandwiches.

• Butter pecan cookies made with cake mix and stuffed with toasted pecans and toffee bits

• German chocolate cake mix cookies with coconut pecan frosting. Sprinkle the coconut and nuts on top of the frosting.