Tropical, creamy, and totally summer-ready—these Piña Colada Ice Cream Cookie Sandwiches are a vacation in every bite.

These Piña Colada Ice Cream Cookie Sandwiches are like a beach party in dessert form—soft pineapple coconut cookies filled with your favorite ice cream flavor. Whether you go classic with vanilla, tropical with piña colada, or add a fruity pop like strawberry (just like in the photos!), this summer treat is playful, refreshing, and totally crowd-pleasing. Great for BBQs, beach movie nights, or anytime you’re craving a cocktail in dessert form.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Soft and chewy pineapple cookies make the perfect base for ice cream sandwiches.
• You can use piña colada, vanilla, or strawberry ice cream for fun flavor combos.
• Made with a pineapple cake mix for a quick and easy tropical dessert.
• Optional shredded coconut adds texture and that classic piña colada feel.
• Perfect summer treat for parties, beach-themed movie nights, or hot afternoons.

Ingredient Notes

• Pineapple Cake Mix: Brings instant tropical flavor with zero fuss. Duncan Hines or Betty Crocker are both great picks.
• Coconut Extract: A little goes a long way—just 1/2 teaspoon gives these cookies their signature piña colada vibe.
• Shredded Coconut: Optional, but adds a toasty crunch and extra coconut flavor. Use sweetened for the best texture.
• Ice Cream: Piña colada, vanilla, or strawberry all pair well with the cookies. Strawberry adds a fruity twist and looks especially fun in photos.

Before You Make

Do I need to chill the dough before baking?
Nope! This recipe is designed to be quick—just mix, scoop, and bake. The dough holds its shape well without chilling.

Will the shredded coconut burn in the oven?
If you sprinkle on a light amount (2–4 tablespoons total), it will toast slightly but not burn. Just keep an eye on it during the last 2 minutes of baking.

Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes! You can bake the cookies ahead and store them in an airtight container. Assemble the ice cream sandwiches just before serving or freeze them assembled for later.

Pina Colada Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich

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• Author: Taryn Camp

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 box pineapple cake mix
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 teaspoon coconut extract
• 2–4 tablespoons shredded sweetened coconut (optional, see note)
• Piña Colada, vanilla ice cream, or strawberry ice cream

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the cake mix, oil, eggs, and coconut extract until a soft dough forms.
3. Using a small cookie scoop, drop 14 even scoops of dough onto the baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. If desired, sprinkle a small amount of shredded coconut on top of each scoop.
4. Bake for 10–12 minutes, until the edges are set and the centers are still soft. Let the cookies cool completely on the pan.
5. Once cooled, add a scoop of ice cream to the flat side of 7 cookies. Top with the remaining cookies to make sandwiches.
6. Serve immediately or freeze to enjoy later.

 

Coconut Note:

• Use 2–4 tablespoons of sweetened shredded coconut if you’d like a little extra texture and flavor. Sprinkle it lightly on top of the cookie dough before baking. It will toast slightly in the oven, but should not burn at this quantity—just keep an eye during the last 2 minutes of baking.

FAQ

Can I use a different cake mix flavor?
Yes—lemon or white cake mix works too, but you’ll lose the strong pineapple flavor that gives these their piña colada twist.

How do I keep the ice cream from melting too fast?
Let the cookies cool completely, then freeze them for 10 minutes before assembling. This helps the ice cream hold up longer.

What kind of ice cream works best?
Slightly softened ice cream is easiest to scoop and spread. Piña colada, vanilla, and strawberry are top choices.

Can I store the sandwiches in the freezer?
Absolutely. Wrap each in plastic wrap or parchment and store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

Do these cookies spread a lot?
No, they stay thick and soft—perfect for ice cream sandwiches without getting too messy.

Sprinkle of Fun

Plan a beach-themed movie night while enjoying these Piña Colada Ice Cream Cookie Sandwiches. Think Moana, Lilo & Stitch, or Blue Crush—anything with ocean fun. Lay out some beach towels, string up fairy lights, and serve mocktails with little umbrellas. It’s summer fun without leaving the house!