Coconut Ube Besito Cookies

The first time my Lola showed me how to make besitos, I was eight years old and more interested in eating the dough than learning the technique. These tiny coconut kisses were her specialty, and she'd make them whenever we had visitors. Years later, after discovering my love for ube, I wondered what would happen if I combined that vibrant purple yam with the coconut sweetness I grew up with.

Last Christmas, I made a triple batch for our neighborhood cookie exchange and watched my neighbors' faces light up when they bit into something that looked like a little jewel. Someone actually asked if I'd used food coloring, and I got to explain the magic of real ube. Now they request them every year, and I've learned to always make extra because they disappear faster than anything else on the table.

Ingredients

• All purpose flour: The foundation that gives these cookies their tender structure without making them tough
• Baking powder: Just enough lift to create that delicate crumb that practically melts in your mouth
• Salt: A tiny pinch that balances the sweetness and makes all the flavors sing
• Unsalted butter: Softened to room temperature so it creams beautifully into the sugar for the perfect texture
• Granulated sugar: Creates that crisp exterior while keeping the inside tender and chewy
• Ube halaya: The star of the show, adding that distinctive purple color and subtle vanilla like flavor
• Large egg: Binds everything together while adding richness and structure
• Vanilla extract: Pure vanilla enhances the natural floral notes of the ube beautifully
• Sweetened shredded coconut: Folded into the dough for little pockets of sweetness throughout each bite
• Desiccated coconut: The perfect coating that adds texture and makes these cookies look like snow capped jewels
• Ube extract: Optional but worth it if you want that deeper purple color and more intense ube flavor

Instructions

Preheat your oven:

Get your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper so nothing sticks

Whisk the dry ingredients:

In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt until they are well blended

Cream the butter and sugar:

Beat the softened butter and sugar together for 2 to 3 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy

Add the wet ingredients:

Mix in the egg, ube halaya, and vanilla extract until everything is fully incorporated and the dough turns a lovely lavender

Combine the mixtures:

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined so you do not overwork the dough

Fold in the coconut:

Gently stir in the sweetened shredded coconut until it is evenly distributed throughout the dough

Shape the cookies:

Scoop tablespoon sized portions of dough and roll them into balls, then coat each one in the desiccated coconut

Arrange and bake:

Place the coconut rolled balls on your prepared baking sheet about 2 inches apart and bake for 13 to 15 minutes

Cool completely:

Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely

Save

My auntie walked into my kitchen once while I was rolling these cookies and laughed at my purple stained hands. She told me that in her day, they would have called these working woman's hands, proof of a kitchen well loved. Now whenever I see those stained fingers, I think of her and all the generations of cooks who found joy in feeding people something beautiful.

Getting The Perfect Ube Color

Natural ube halaya can give you a lovely lavender hue, but if you want those Instagram worthy deep purple cookies, the ube extract is worth the investment. I learned this the hard way after my first batch came out looking more pink than purple. The extract does not just add color, it intensifies that distinct earthy sweet flavor that makes ube so special.

Storage And Sharing

These cookies stay fresh for up to five days in an airtight container at room temperature, though they rarely last that long in my house. I have also frozen the dough balls and baked them straight from frozen, just adding an extra minute or two to the baking time. They make excellent gifts layered in a clear jar with ribbon tied around the top.

Serving Suggestions

These cookies shine alongside a cup of hot tea, especially something floral like jasmine or chamomile that complements the ube. I have also served them with coffee and found that the slight bitterness balances the sweetness perfectly. For a dessert spread, pair them with something tart like lemon bars to create a beautiful contrast of flavors and colors.

• Crush a few cookies over vanilla ice cream for an unexpected topping
• Serve them as part of a cookie platter with other Filipino treats
• Dip half of each cooled cookie in white chocolate for an extra special touch

Save

Every time I pull a tray of these from the oven, I am transported back to my Lola's kitchen, the smell of toasted coconut filling the air. These little cookies are more than just dessert, they are a bridge between cultures and generations, wrapped in a tiny purple package.

Common Questions

→ What makes these cookies purple?

The vibrant purple color comes from ube halaya, a traditional Filipino purple yam jam. You can enhance this natural hue with optional ube extract for a deeper, more intense purple shade.

→ Can I make these without ube halaya?

Yes, you can substitute ube halaya with ube powder reconstituted according to package instructions. The flavor and color will be similar, though the texture may vary slightly.

→ How should I store these cookies?

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. The coconut coating helps keep them tender. For longer storage, freeze for up to 3 months and thaw at room temperature.

→ Why are they called besito cookies?

Besito means 'little kiss' in Spanish, referring to their small, bite-sized shape. This Latin-inspired name pairs beautifully with the Filipino ube ingredient, creating a perfect fusion descriptor.

→ Can I add other flavors to the dough?

Absolutely. A pinch of ground cardamom adds lovely floral notes. You could also try citrus zest, cinnamon, or a drop of almond extract to complement the ube and coconut flavors.

→ What's the best way to get uniform cookies?

Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon measure to ensure each dough ball is the same size. This helps them bake evenly and look professional. Chill the dough briefly if it becomes too warm to handle.