The Best Chewy Coconut Macaroons Recipe (2024)

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Light and chewy on the inside with a crisp exterior, this is hands down, the best coconut macaroons recipe around.

The Best Chewy Coconut Macaroons Recipe (1)

I fell in love with coconut macaroons when I was working in my stepmother’s catering shop.

For a while they were a big customer favorite, and it seemed as though we served them every other weekend.

Unfortunately, when my stepmother sold the business, the cookbook went along with it and now neither of them are around anymore. So I’ve had to do my best to recreate some of our favorite dishes on my own.

And I finally hit upon a coconut macaroons recipe that brings back all the awesome memories of being in that commercial kitchen.

Good macaroons are both light and chewy on the inside, with a crisp shell of coconut on the exterior that gives just the right amount of bite. And these, my friends, fit all of those requirements.

The Best Chewy Coconut Macaroons Recipe (2)

Coconut Macaroons without Sweetened Condensed Milk

You read that right…there’s no sweetened condensed milk in this recipe.

I know that many of the most popular recipes use condensed milk, but in my search for the perfect recipe I tried some of those popular recipes…and let’s just say I was not happy with the results.

I may have even referred to some of them as weapons, they were so dense. Yuck!

This coconut macaroons recipe is made light and chewy with egg whites that have been whipped into a meringue and with a light coat of flour on the coconut flakes.

It’s a bit more work than just mixing condensed milk and coconut, but so worth the effort.

Coconut Macaroons vs. Almond Macaroons vs Macarons

Did you know these are actually three completely different kinds of cookies?

The Best Chewy Coconut Macaroons Recipe (3)

Yep, and there’s a lot of history behind it, and they all start with a meringue of egg whites and sugar. But the results are completely different:

Coconut Macaroons

Coconut Macaroons are chewy, dome-shaped cookies made with, you guessed it, coconut. They are easy to make and easy to adapt with all sorts of garnishes.

Almond Macaroons

Almond macaroon cookies are thought to actually be the original macaroon, and came out of Italy. These are a fairly flat cookie made with almond paste or ground almonds and then garnished with almond slivers.

Macarons

Macarons are a sandwich cookie that is also made with almond flour, but is far more technically precise than either of the above cookies.

The Best Chewy Coconut Macaroons Recipe (4)

Tips for The Best Coconut Macaroons

  • Make sure that no yolks get into your egg whites. The whites will not whip properly if that happens. Tip: Separate each egg white into a small bowl before adding it to the primary mixing bowl. This way, if any of the yolks break and get into the egg white you can discard that egg without contaminating any of the egg whites you already separated.
  • Don’t skip refrigerating the dough. The refrigeration time allows the egg whites to soften the coconut, which is how you get that perfectly chewy interior. (Yes, this is experience talking!)
  • Once you’ve scooped the cookies onto your parchment paper, use a dampened finger to tuck in any stray pieces of coconut. This helps prevent those pieces from burning.
  • Use a cookie scoop to get perfectly shaped and evenly sized coconut macaroons. I used the smallest scoop in this set, which is approximately 1.5 tablespoons of batter
  • Store your macaroons at room temperature in a well sealed container for up to one week.
The Best Chewy Coconut Macaroons Recipe (5)

Macaroons with Chocolate

There are two ways you can add chocolate to your macaroons: dip the bottoms of the macaroons in melted chocolate, or drizzle chocolate on the top.

I’m not actually a huge fan of chocolate, so I prefer to drizzle instead of dip.

When I worked in catering, we always added a chocolate drizzle by flicking a chocolate covered fork back and forth over the macaroons. It was a beautiful, but messy.

These days, I prefer to use a makeshift piping bag by filling a bag with melted chocolate and then cutting the corner.

These little bag clips are fantastic for keeping the chocolate in the bag until you’re ready to pipe the chocolate onto the coconut macaroons. Easy peasy.

The Best Chewy Coconut Macaroons Recipe (6)

What You’ll Need

Yield: 20

The Best Coconut Macaroons Recipe

The Best Chewy Coconut Macaroons Recipe (7)

Light and chewy on the inside with a crisp exterior, this is hands down, the best coconut macaroons recipe around.

Prep Time10 minutes

Cook Time20 minutes

Additional Time1 hour

Total Time1 hour 30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 14 oz shredded coconut
  • 6 Tbsp all purpose flour
  • 4 large egg whites
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp almond extract
  • 1/2 C granulated sugar
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 cup cold water
  • 4 oz semisweet chocolate chips

Instructions

Make the Coconut Macaroon Batter

  1. Mix together the flour and shredded coconut in a large mixing bowl.
  2. In a second bowl, add 4 large egg whites and whip with a mixer until a meringue starts to form, about 3-5 minutes.
  3. Add sugar, salt, and extracts and continue to mix until well combined, about 1 more minute.
  4. Carefully fold together the coconut and meringue mixtures, trying not to let the egg whites deflate too much.
  5. Refrigerate the coconut mixture for 1 to 2 hours to let the coconut soften.


Scoop and Bake the Macaroons

  1. After the batter has had time to soften, preheat your oven to 325 degrees F, and prepare a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Scoop 1.5 tablespoon size balls of batter and place on the prepared cookie sheet.
  3. Dip the tip of your finger into the cold water and use it to tuck in the ends of any stray coconut pieces.
  4. Bake the cookies for 18-20 minutes at 325 degrees F until lightly brown on the outside.
  5. Cool completely on the cookie sheet before drizzling with chocolate

Drizzle with Chocolate

  1. Place 4 oz semisweet chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl.
  2. Microwave the chocolate chips for 30 seconds on high heat and then stir the chips. Continue stirring and microwaving in 10 second increments until melted and smooth.
  3. Fill a quart size zip top bag with the melted chocolate. Clip one corner of the bag and cut off about ⅛ inch of one corner of the bag.
  4. Drizzle the chocolate over the cooled macaroons, going back and forth in a wide sweeping motion.
  5. Allow the chocolate to harden before serving.

Notes

  • Make sure that no yolks get into your egg whites. The whites will not whip properly if that happens. Tip: Separate each egg white into a small bowl before adding it to the primary mixing bowl. This way, if any of the yolks break and get into the egg white you can discard that egg without contaminating any of the egg whites you already separated.
  • Don’t skip refrigerating the dough. The refrigeration time allows the egg whites to soften the coconut, which is how you get that perfectly chewy interior. (Yes, this is experience talking!)
  • Once you've scooped the cookies onto your parchment paper, use a dampened finger to tuck in any stray pieces of coconut. This helps prevent those pieces from burning.
  • Use a cookie scoop to get perfectly shaped and evenly sized coconut macaroons. I used the smallest scoop in this set, which is approximately 1.5 tablespoons of batter.
  • Store your macaroons at room temperature in a well sealed container for up to one week.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

20

Serving Size:

1 Servings

Amount Per Serving:Calories: 150Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 97mgCarbohydrates: 21gFiber: 2gSugar: 15gProtein: 2g

**The nutrition information provided above is estimated using an automated calculation system. Actual nutrition will vary depending on brand and measurements used in your recipe. To obtain the most accurate representation of the nutrition information for any given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information using the actual ingredients you used in your recipe.

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The Best Chewy Coconut Macaroons Recipe (8)
The Best Chewy Coconut Macaroons Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why are my coconut macaroons sticky? ›

Fresh shredded coconut will have too much liquid in it and this is likely to be seeping out when you cook the macaroons, making them sticky.

Why are my macarons chewy? ›

Hollow Macarons Cause #1: The Macaron Shells Haven't Matured

And to be honest, they don't need to be full coming out of the oven. Once you've filled the macarons, the moisture from the filling seeps into the shells. This is what gives macarons that deliciously chewy texture. It also helps fill that little air gap!

What's the difference between macaroons and coconut macaroons? ›

Macaroons are larger, denser and chewier that macarons, and definitely easier to make. Coconut macaroons are flavored with sugar and vanilla, but their main flavor is the coconut itself.

What are the 2 types of macaroons? ›

French macarons are softer with chewy shells and more subtly sweet taste, giving you more of that distinct almond flavour. Whereas Italian macarons are more crisp, even powdery at times and have a more pronounced sweet taste. A trained eye may even be able to tell the difference simply by looking at them.

Should a macaron be chewy? ›

Although a macaron's shell should protect the rise and filling beneath its surface, you don't want your delectables to be crunchy or hard. Macarons should have a slight crunch with an overall chewy texture as one bites through the dessert. That texture is what truly makes a macaron marvelous.

What is the hardest part about making macarons? ›

Hollow shells: One of the most frustrating problems is when the macaron shells turn out hollow. This is usually caused by overmixing the batter, which can cause too much air to be incorporated into the mixture. To avoid this, be sure to fold the batter gently and stop as soon as it reaches the desired consistency.

Should you refrigerate coconut macaroons? ›

Store the Macaroons in a covered container in the refrigerator or they can be frozen. Can be served cold or at room temperature.

What are the biggest mistakes when making macarons? ›

13 Common Mistakes To Avoid When Making Macarons
  • Undermixing or overmixing your batter. ...
  • Making the wrong type of meringue. ...
  • Not sifting your sugar and flour. ...
  • Not tapping the pan. ...
  • Not resting the macarons before baking. ...
  • Substituting another flour for almond flour. ...
  • Baking them at too high temperatures.
Mar 3, 2024

What is the perfect macaron texture? ›

The cookie's texture beneath the crust should be light, just a little chewy, and soft, but not so soft that it's mushy. It's okay if the cookie looks "uncooked." As much as I love sugar, sweetness shouldn't take over in a macaron. They come in a wide variety of flavors for a reason—so you can taste the flavor.

What is the best texture for macarons? ›

Macaron taste and texture

Professional chefs around the world make macarons differently and in some regions where there is high humidity, the texture can be affected, which will make the macaron too mushy. In any case, a macaron should be light, crunchy on the outside, and soft in the center.

Which method of macarons is best? ›

There are a few methods for making macarons including Italian, French, and Swiss. Swiss isn't as common (I've never made them that way), but Italian macarons are pretty popular. The process is a little more involved than the French method, but the results are considered more reliable.

Why are coconut macaroons good for you? ›

Try making these vegan and paleo-friendly coconut macaroons for dessert! Coconut is known to provide health benefits in the form of fiber and manganese. It also helps with stimulating immunity, improving digestion, and improving brain function as well!

Are coconut macaroons good for you? ›

That said, because macaroons are high in sugar and offer little nutrition, eating too many of them regularly could be problematic, especially if they replace more nutritious foods in your diet. If you do decide to try them, track your symptoms closely to determine if they have any effect.

Why are coconut macaroons different? ›

Coconut macaroons: Think of the coconut macaroon as a cousin to the above macaroons. These tasty goodies are made with shredded coconut, sweetened condensed milk, eggs, vanilla, and salt. More importantly, they look different from the above two – they often look a little more round and a little lumpier.

Is desiccated coconut the same as macaroon coconut? ›

Your macaroons won't have quite the same light and fluffy texture, but they'll be much closer — and the coconut mixture will be much easier to work with! Note: Desiccated coconut is often about the same size as shredded coconut, but it's much drier and more brittle.

Do coconut macaroons have to be refrigerated? ›

Store the Macaroons in a covered container in the refrigerator or they can be frozen. Can be served cold or at room temperature.

References

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