[Photographs: Carrie Vasios]

This is the time of year when I start to dream about the tropics. I've had my fill of gingerbread and peppermint sticks. I want bright flavors and blue skies, though even in San Francisco the former is much easier to get.

Finding good coconut sweets can mean sifting through a pile of artificially flavored and overly sweet confections. Luckily the Bay Area puts an emphasis on fresh, quality ingredients—even in the most whimsical desserts. These 7 coconut sweets will satisfy your sweet tooth without making you wonder who poured Malibu rum into your macaron.

Our Picks:
Coconut Macaron at La Boulange Bakery
Sno Ball at American Cupcake
Mango Mousse with Coconut Tapioca at Out the Door
Coconut Almond Brittle from Snap Dragon Sweets
Coconut Tart at Yummy Bakery and Café
Pandan Coconut Cupcake from Nute's Cupcakes
Coconut Five-Oh Cookie at Goody Goodie Cream and Sugar

About the author: Carrie Vasios is the Community Manager of Serious Eats and writes the Wake and Bake, Cookie Monster, and Serious Entertaining columns. She likes perusing her large collection of cookbooks while eating jam from the jar.