Easy Pineapple Cookies (Pina Colada Cake Mix Cookies Recipe)
Easy pineapple cake mix cookies made into soft pina colada whoopie pies with coconut buttercream frosting. A fun tropical sandwich cookie perfect for summer baking.
Easy Pineapple Cookies (Pina Colada Cake Mix Cookies Recipe)
What Are Pineapple Cookies?
Pineapple cookies are soft, cake-style cookies made using pineapple cake mix, butter, eggs, and a hint of pineapple extract for extra flavor. The cake mix gives them a tender, bakery-soft texture with very little effort, while the pineapple adds a light tropical sweetness in every bite.
In this version, the cookies are often baked as soft rounds and turned into sandwich cookies with a coconut buttercream filling, creating a “pina colada” style dessert that’s sweet, fluffy, and easy to make. They’re the kind of shortcut cookie recipe that feels homemade without being complicated.. perfect when you want something fun, fast, and crowd-friendly.
Why You Need These? .. because of the Song!!
Favorite song to get stuck in your head for days … and … GO!
Mine has to be Escape.. aka the ‘do you like Pina Coladas?’ song.
It also doesn’t hurt that I am a huge Pina Colada fan .. trust me, just ask the bartenders on our cruise to the Caribbean 🙂
On second thought… um … no, don’t do that! #somanypinacoladas
That being said, it was really only a matter of time before my love of all things pineapple and coconut became a cookie.
I love cookies, I love Pina Coladas, I love frosting.
Done Deal…
Let’s talk about Pina Colada Cake Mix Whoopie Pies …
… ((((screech!!!!!!)))) …
WAIT!!!! Go check out my Pina Colada Smoothie real quick!! … It’s a great way to start your day with a Pina Colada and won’t get you fired for drinking on the job 🙂
pina colada cake mix whoopie pies
Wow! So many things to talk about when it comes to pineapple cookies sandwiched around homemade coconut buttercream frosting.
First, pineapple cookies? Um .. yes, please! And the best part of those pineapple cookies?
We are making those soft baked pineapple cookies using a store bought cake mix which means they are easy to make and perfect every time.
Every. Time.
Then because pineapple cake mix cookies are so AWESOME we are going to take that little cookie, get belligerent and slather it with coconut frosting.
… then … we are going to top it off with another pineapple cookie and now we have a Pina Colada whoopie pie!!!!!
GAAAAAAAHHHH …….
Hello, sexy!!
Why These Pineapple Cookies Work So Well
- Pineapple cake mix cookies are the BEST melt in your mouth pineapple cookies you will ever make!
- Easy to make using a handful of ingredients you probably already have on hand, these Pina Colada cake mix cookies are ready to bake in just minutes!
- Using a pineapple cake mix instead of from scratch baking guarantees these easy pineapple cookies come out perfect every time!
- These are the softest, fluffiest cookies and adding an extra touch of pineapple extract or pineapple juice makes these sweet treats irresistible.
- Homemade coconut buttercream frosting. ‘Nuff said!!
- Cake mixes are often Buy One, Get One so if you make two boxes of cake mix cookies, technically no one knows how many pineapple whoopie pies you ate while in the kitchen alone.
- Easy to make, super cute, crazy tasty, perfect for summer … “Tropical Hostest with the Mostest” award goes to … (insert your name HERE) …
Ingredients for Easy Cake Mix Cookies (Pineapple Version)
- Pineapple cake mix
- 1 tablespoon all purpose flour
- Butter
- Eggs
- Pineapple extract or pineapple juice
- Powdered sugar
- Coconut extract
- Milk
How to Make Pineapple Cookies (Step-by-Step)
- Start by preheating your oven to 375 degrees and spray your cookie sheet with non-stick spray or cover with a sheet of parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine melted butter with the pineapple cake mix, all purpose flour, pineapple juice or pineapple extract and eggs.
- When you have your ingredients combined, refrigerate dough for at least 30 minutes.
- Once chilled, remove from refrigerator and spooning up enough dough to roll into a 1 inch ball.
- Move your cookie to your prepared cookie sheet and repeat until all the dough has been used.
- When your sheet is full, cook them for 9-11 minutes. They will be puffy and crinkly and beautiful.
- Remove them from the oven, let them cool for one minute and then move them to a cooling rack.
Coconut Buttercream Filling (Pina Colada Flavor)
- Once your pineapple cookies have cooled completely, start your coconut buttercream frosting.
- Add softened butter to a large mixing bowl and using an electric mixer, beat butter until smooth and creamy.
- To the butter add coconut extract, salt and milk, then slowly mix in the sifted powdered sugar in batches until all has been incorporated.
- Spoon frosting onto the back of one pineapple cookie and then top it off back to back with another pineapple cookie, making a sandwich.
Why These Cookies Stay Soft and Moist
These cookies stay soft because the pineapple cake mix already contains a balanced blend of flour, sugar, and leavening that’s designed to bake up tender instead of crisp. It creates a cake-like structure that holds moisture naturally.
The butter adds richness and prevents dryness, while the eggs provide structure and softness at the same time, keeping the cookie from becoming dense or tough.
Most importantly, the pineapple extract (and any pineapple flavoring used in the mix) helps lock in a light, moist texture that carries through after baking. Unlike traditional cookies that can dry out quickly, these are closer to soft bakery-style cookies or whoopie pies.. meant to stay fluffy, not crunchy.
If they’re filled with coconut buttercream, that extra layer also helps seal in moisture, keeping each bite soft even after sitting.
pro tips for perfect pina colada whoopie pies
- Don’t skip chilling the dough in the refrigerator. It brings the cookie dough together and your lemon cookies will be fluffier and hold their shape better if you chill the dough first.
Using a small kitchen scoop is a great way to ensure your lemon crinkles cookies are all the same size. - If unable to find pineapple extract, pineapple juice is a great substitute.
- Can’t find a box of pineapple cake mix? No worries! Grab a box of white cake mix and add in the pineapple extract or juice. The pineapple cake mix only has a hint of pineapple flavor.
- Sift that powdered sugar before adding it to your butter for your buttercream frosting. I know I say it every time.. trust your friend Heather!!! … sift the powdered sugar or you will end up with lumps of sugar in your frosting and no one wants that!
- Buy milk while you are at the store. Pineapple sandwich cookies needs to be eaten with a big glass of milk. Buy milk.
more summer dessert ideas
- Key Lime Pie Cheesecake Bars
- Lemon Cake Mix Crinkle Cookies
- No Bake Pistachio Pudding Dessert
- Triple Berry Crisp
- S’mores Pie
Enjoy ♥ Heather
Easy Pineapple Cookies
Ingredients
Pineapple Cake Mix Cookies
- 1 box pineapple cake mix
- 1 tablespoon all purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 8 tablespoons butter, melted
- 2 teaspoons pineapple extract or 1/4 cup pineapple juice
Coconut Buttercream Frosting
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cup powdered sugar, sifted
- 2 teaspoons coconut extract
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Start by preheating your oven to 375 degrees and spray your cookie sheet with non-stick spray or cover with a sheet of parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine melted butter with the pineapple cake mix, all purpose flour, pineapple juice or pineapple extract and eggs. When you have your ingredients combined, refrigerate dough for at least 30 minutes.
- Once chilled, remove from refrigerator and spooning up enough dough to roll into a 1 inch ball. Move your cookie to your prepared cookie sheet and repeat until all the dough has been used. When your sheet is full, cook them for 9-11 minutes. They will be puffy and crinkly and beautiful.
- Remove them from the oven, let them cool for one minute and then move them to a cooling rack.
- Once your pineapple cookies have cooled completely, start your coconut buttercream frosting. Add softened butter to a large mixing bowl and using an electric mixer, beat butter until smooth and creamy. To the butter add coconut extract, salt and milk, then slowly mix in the sifted powdered sugar in batches until all has been incorporated.
- Spoon frosting onto the back of one pineapple cookie and then top it off back to back with another pineapple cookie, making a sandwich.
Notes
- Don’t skip chilling the dough in the refrigerator. It brings the cookie dough together and your lemon cookies will be fluffier and hold their shape better if you chill the dough first.
Using a small kitchen scoop is a great way to ensure your lemon crinkles cookies are all the same size. - If unable to find pineapple extract, pineapple juice is a great substitute.
- Can't find a box of pineapple cake mix? No worries! Grab a box of white cake mix and add in the pineapple extract or juice. The pineapple cake mix only has a hint of pineapple flavor.
- Sift that powdered sugar before adding it to your butter for your buttercream frosting. I know I say it every time.. trust your friend Heather!!! … sift the powdered sugar or you will end up with lumps of sugar in your frosting and no one wants that!
- Buy milk while you are at the store. Pineapple sandwich cookies needs to be eaten with a big glass of milk. Buy milk.
These are the kind of cookies that disappear fast.. soft, tropical, and dangerously easy to make. The pineapple flavor comes through just enough without being overpowering, and the coconut buttercream takes them straight into dessert territory. Honestly, they taste like something you’d expect from a bakery, not a box mix shortcut in your kitchen.