Coconut macaroons are a delightful dessert that combines the best of both worlds: a chewy, moist interior with a satisfyingly crisp exterior.
These gluten-free cookies are elementary, requiring no dough chilling and just five simple ingredients.
The Perfect Coconut Macaroon
When done right, coconut macaroons are reminiscent of the coconut filling in an Almond Joy or Mounds bar, offering a sweet, moist, and chewy bite.
However, when not made correctly, they can turn out dry and crumbly.
This recipe, perfected over the years, ensures consistently moist and tender macaroons with a delightful crispness.
Ingredients:
To make the perfect coconut macaroons, you'll need:
- Egg Whites: Essential for binding the ingredients and giving the macaroons their structure.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and richness to the flavor.
- Almond Extract: Enhances the overall taste, complementing the coconut.
- Sweetened Shredded Coconut: The star ingredient, providing the desired sweetness and texture.
- Sugar: Balances the sweetness and helps inbinding the ingredients.
- Optional Toppings: You can add melted chocolate or almonds for an extra treat.
Detailed Preparation Steps
1. Preparing the Coconut
For best results, use sweetened shredded coconut. It's naturally moist and sticky, which helps the macaroons hold together. Measure out 4 and 3/4 cups of the coconut, which is slightly less than a standard 14-ounce package. To ensure the macaroons hold their shape, pulse the coconut in a food processor a few times. This creates finer pieces that compact better during baking. If you don't have a food processor, you can achieve similar results by chopping the coconut on a cutting board.
2. Making the Dough
In a large mixing bowl, beat together the egg whites, sugar, vanilla extract, and almond extract until the mixture becomes foamy and the sugar is mostly dissolved. This should take about one minute on medium-high speed. Be cautious not to over-beat the eggs, as this will create a stiff meringue-like mixture that results in dry macaroons.Fold the chopped coconut into the egg white mixture, ensuring it's evenly moistened. Using a medium cookie scoop, place 1.5 tablespoon portions of the dough onto a lined baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. The macaroons won't spread much during baking, but this spacing helps prevent any sticking.
3. Baking
Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C) and bake the macaroons for about 20 minutes, or until the tops are lightly browned. Be careful not to over-bake, as this can dry out the macaroons. Once baked, allow them to cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Adding Extra Flavor
While plain macaroons are delicious on their own, you can easily elevate them with a few variations:
- Chocolate Almond Macaroons: Dip the bottoms in melted dark chocolate and press an almond on top while the chocolate is still wet.
- Sprinkle-Loaded Macaroons: Fold in 1/3 cup of sprinkles into the dough before baking. Avoid using nonpareils as they can bleed color.
- White Chocolate Cranberry Macaroons: Add 3/4 cup of dried cranberries to the dough and drizzle with melted white chocolate after baking.
- Strawberry Macaroons: Mix in some chopped dried strawberries for a fruity twist.
- Almond Butter Macaroons: Incorporate a swirl of almond butter into the dough for a rich, nutty flavor.
Tips for Success
- Accurate Measuring: Ensuring you use the right amount of coconut is crucial. Too much or too little can affect the texture.
- Pulsing the Coconut: Smaller coconut pieces help the macaroons hold their shape better.
- Avoid Over-Baking: Stick to the recommended baking time to prevent the macaroons from drying out.
Storing and Serving
Coconut macaroons can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days or in the refrigerator for up to a week. If you'd like to make them ahead of time, the dough can be prepared up to three days in advance and kept in the refrigerator until you're ready to bake.
These coconut macaroons are a foolproof way to enjoy a sweet, chewy, and crisp dessert that's naturally gluten-free and dairy-free. Whether you keep them plain or dress them up with chocolate and other add-ins, they're sure to be a hit. Enjoy these delightful treats with your favorite variations and savor the perfect balance of textures and flavors.