Coconut Macaroons with Chocolate Drizzle

I enjoyed coconut macaroons at a gathering not long ago and it made me think, "it's been a long time since I made macaroons."  So naturally, I rushed home to whip up a batch.  If you like soft, chewy, coconutty cookies -  these, my friend, are for you!  They're  extremely easy to make since they contain only 3 ingredients (4 if you drizzle them with chocolate).  And did I mention they're Gluten-Free, Egg-Free, and suitable for Passover?  

Start with 1 pound of sweetened coconut flakes.  Be sure to you don't get desiccated coconut, which is very dry.

Also needed, Vanilla Bean Paste (or pure vanilla extract) and a can of Sweetened Condensed Milk.

As you see, I use a safety can opener, even though the can of sweetened condensed milk has a pull-top because the pull-top leaves a sharp edge.

See?  Nice smooth edge that won't ruin my spatulas or cut my fingers.

In goes the Vanilla Bean Paste.  Can you see all the little seeds?  They're packed full of flavor.

Mix well. I like to use my BeaterBlade attachment so I don't have to stop and scrape down the sides of my mixing bowl.

Use a #50 scoop (about 1 tablespoon) to portion the cookies onto two prepared half sheet pans.  I tested baking them on Silpats (silicone liners) and parchment.  The macaroons stuck to the parchment, but released perfectly from the Silpats so that's what I recommend you use. 

Dip your fingertips in water and roll each portion of cookie dough into a ball.  

Bake for about 15 minutes, or until the cookies start to turn brown and caramelized around the edges.  Mmmm.  Allow the cookies to cool completely before removing from the silicone lined sheet pans.  They'll be too soft to move before then.

When the cookies are completely cool, drizzle with a little melted chocolate (use really good chocolate).  I placed my chocolate in a zip-top bag and microwaved it for 30 seconds at a time until it was completely melted.  Then I cut a very, very small hole in the corner of the bag and drizzled it over the cookies.

And that's all there is to making these soft and chewy coconut flavor bombs.  Go make some macaroons! 

Some of the items used to make this recipe:

(affiliate links)

• sweetened flaked coconut https://amzn.to/3ujyfIt

• sweetened condensed milk https://amzn.to/3ujJXCQ

• pure vanilla extract https://amzn.to/3r9wNGK

• pure vanilla bean paste https://amzn.to/3HhfWXZ

• half sheet pan https://amzn.to/35BtaRv

• silpat liner https://amzn.to/3gdl0Rw

• #50 scoop https://amzn.to/32OW1Rg

• BeaterBlade attachment https://amzn.to/35vVXH5

• high quality dark chocolate https://amzn.to/3ohtfjK

• KitchenAid stand mixer https://amzn.to/34bqUAb

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Coconut Macaroons with Chocolate Drizzle

makes about 32 cookies (#50 scoop)

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

• 16 ounces sweetened coconut flakes (about 6 cups)

• 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk

• 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste or pure vanilla extract

• 1 ounce semisweet or dark chocolate for drizzling

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350F and line 2 half sheet pans with silpat liners.

2. Combine coconut, sweetened condensed milk, and vanilla.

3. Use #50 scoop, packed, to portion cookies.

4. Dip fingertips in water and roll cookies into ball shape; space evenly on prepared sheet pans.

5. Bake in center of preheated oven for about 15 minutes, or until the edges start to turn brown and caramelize.

6. Allow macaroons to cool completely on silpats before removing.

7. Place chocolate in zip-top bag and melt gently in microwave; snip small hole in corner of bag and drizzle on macaroons.

Italian Almond Cookies

These delicate, chewy, 6-ingredient cookies have an incredibly intense, smack-you-in-the-face almond flavor.  We go crazy for them.  For maximum flavor and chewiness, it's worth going the extra mile to find canned almond paste.  

If you can find it, canned almond paste is preferred.

On the day I did the photo shoot for these cookies, I was fresh out of canned almond paste so I had to use the foil-wrapped stuff.  It's not as soft as the canned stuff, but it works in a pinch. My particular tube was a bit dry so I grated it before I used it.  

The easiest way to do this is the use a food processor fitted with a fine grating disk.  

The food processor did an awesome job. 

To the bowl of the food processor, add the flour, sugar, and confectioners sugar.  

Pulse to combine.  

We're getting close!  

Time to add egg whites.  They're the magic glue that transforms the bowl of crumbs into the tastiest cookie dough ever!

Mmmmmm.  When you open your food processor, the aroma is going to make you salivate!

For the record, if you use canned almond paste, you can mix this dough in a stand mixer instead of a food processor.

Transfer the cookie dough to a small container.  It's really soft and sticky, but don't be alarmed.  You can scoop and bake the cookies right away, or chill the dough in an airtight container for a day or two.

Use a very small #100 cookie scoop to portion the dough blobs. For these cookies, it’s the perfect size.

Like I said, the dough is extremely soft and sticky so place the blobs directly into a bowl of sliced almonds.  Roll the blobs to coat them all over with almonds so you can pick them up and place them on a half sheet pan.

Because the dough is so sticky, I find it helps to dip the scoop in water for each cookie. 

I tested baking these cookies on silicone and parchment and even though I usually prefer baking on silicone, parchment worked better for this recipe.  

Bake the cookies until they puff up and turn golden brown.  

Allow the cookies to cool completely on the sheet tray.  Don't be alarmed when the cookies collapse as they cool - that's completely normal.  Store leftovers in an airtight container.  Cookies are best eaten on the day they're baked.  

Items used to make this recipe:

(affiliate links)

• canned almond paste (not marzipan of almond filling) https://amzn.to/3KV0RxI

• sliced almonds https://amzn.to/3KUnKRL

• #100 portion scoop https://amzn.to/3KVaSLe

• food processor https://amzn.to/3s6DeJQ

• flat parchment sheets https://amzn.to/3gcUFmq

• half sheet pan https://amzn.to/3HhqBC2

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Italian Almond Cookies

makes 36 cookies

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

• 8 ounces almond paste, canned is preferred (NOT marzipan or almond filling)

• 1/4 cup all purpose flour

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar

• 1/2 cup confectioners sugar

• 2 large egg whites

• 1/2 cup sliced almonds

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350F and line half sheet pans with parchment paper.

2. In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine almond paste, flour, egg whites, and both sugars. Mixture will be very sticky. Note: if almond paste is dry or hard, grate the almond paste and mix the dough in a food processor.

3. Place sliced almonds into a small bowl.

4. Using a #100 scoop, drop cookie dough into bowl of almonds; roll until coated.

5. Place 2 inches apart on parchment-lined half sheet pan.

6. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until golden.

7. Cool on half sheet pans for several minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Note

• A #100 scoop equals just under 2 teaspoons.