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Mango lime coconut Neapolitan cookie bars with three even layers of yellow mango, green lime, and white coconut in rectangular slice and bake cookies
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Mango Lime Coconut Neapolitan Cookies (Soft Tropical Slice and Bake Cookies)

These Mango Lime Coconut Neapolitan Cookies feature three soft, buttery layers flavored with sweet mango, bright lime, and creamy coconut. This tropical slice-and-bake cookie recipe creates beautiful stacked stripes with a smooth sugar cookie texture, perfect for summer baking, colorful cookie trays, and unique Neapolitan-style cookies.
Course Cookies, Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword coconut sugar cookies, colorful sugar cookies, layered cookies, lime sugar cookies, mango coconut cookies, mango lime coconut cookies, mango lime cookies, neapolitan cookies, neapolitan slice and bake cookies, slice and bake cookies, summer cookie recipe, tropical cookies, tropical dessert cookies
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Chill time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 35 minutes
Servings 20 cookies
Calories 150kcal
Cost $7 for entire recipe

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • Hand mixer or stand mixer
  • Spatula
  • Rolling Pin
  • plastic wrap
  • Knife or bench scraper
  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper

Ingredients

Base Dough

  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon milk

Mango Layer

  • 2 teaspoons freeze-dried mango powder
  • yellow food coloring optional

Lime Layer

  • 1 to 1½ teaspoons finely grated lime zest
  • green food coloring optional

Coconut Layer

  • 1/4 teaspoon coconut extract

Instructions

Step 1: Make the Dough

  • In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract and mix until combined. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Add the milk and mix until a soft dough forms.

Step 2: Divide the Dough

  • Divide the dough evenly into three equal portions.

Step 3: Flavor the Mango Dough

  • Knead the freeze-dried mango powder and optional yellow food coloring into one portion of dough until evenly combined.

Step 4: Flavor the Lime Dough

  • Knead the lime zest and optional green food coloring into the second portion of dough until evenly combined.

Step 5: Flavor the Coconut Dough

  • Knead the coconut extract into the remaining portion of dough until evenly combined.

Step 6: Roll the Dough Layers

  • Roll each dough portion into equal rectangles about 1/4-inch thick.

Step 7: Stack the Layers

  • Stack the dough layers with coconut on the bottom, lime in the middle, and mango on top. Gently press together to adhere. Trim the edges to form a clean rectangle.

Step 8: Chill the Dough

  • Wrap the layered dough tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour, or until firm.

Step 9: Slice the Cookies

  • Slice the chilled dough into 3/8-inch thick cookies and place them 2 inches apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Step 10: Bake

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Bake for 9–11 minutes, until the edges are set and the centers remain soft. Do not allow the cookies to brown. Cool completely before serving.

Notes

Use Freeze-Dried Mango Powder for Best Flavor

Use freeze-dried mango powder for the best mango flavor without adding extra moisture. Avoid mango puree or jam, which can soften the mango layer and affect the clean Neapolitan stripes.

Only Use the Outer Lime Zest

Only zest the outer green portion of the lime. The white pith underneath is bitter and can overpower the delicate tropical flavors in these cookies.

Chill Dough if It Becomes Too Soft

If your dough becomes too soft while rolling, refrigerate it for 10–15 minutes before stacking. Slightly chilled dough helps maintain sharp, defined layers.

Slice with a Sharp Knife for Clean Layers

For clean slices, use a sharp knife and wipe the blade between cuts. This prevents color smearing and keeps the mango, lime, and coconut layers distinct.

Trim Edges for Bakery-Style Neapolitan Cookies

Trim the edges of the stacked dough before slicing for bakery-style Neapolitan cookies with straight, even stripes.

Do Not Overbake

These cookies should remain pale with soft centers. Overbaking can mute the mango and lime flavors and dry out the coconut layer.

Make Ahead Instructions

Store the dough tightly wrapped in the refrigerator for up to 2 days before slicing and baking. This makes these mango lime coconut cookies perfect for make-ahead baking.

Add Food Coloring for Brighter Layers

For brighter color contrast, add a small drop of yellow food coloring to the mango layer and green to the lime layer. This helps highlight the tropical Neapolitan look.