Coconut Almond Macaroons

Macaroons are a blissful holiday treat, a delicious combination of rich almond flavor and sweet coconut, brought together by a dark chocolate coating. These macaroons feature a moist interior bursting with nutty goodness, and a crisp exterior speckled with sweet coconut. Whether enjoyed on their own or as part of a dessert platter, these macaroons are perfect for any holiday get together.

The cookie itself is prepared with crushed almonds, creating a soft and nutty interior. The base of the cookie is then coated in a layer of rich dark chocolate chocolate. Bursting with almond flavor, each bite is a heavenly combination of sweet and crunchy, complimented by a mix of chocolate and coconut.

For pairing, I suggest you keep it seasonal.  As an example, consider our homemade hot chocolate.  This particular hot chocolate recipe cooks up thick and rich, and lusciously sweet.  And yes, it really only takes three ingredients.

Coconut Almond MacaroonsPhoto byLiving the Gourmet

Ingredients

For the macaroons:

• 2 egg whites
• 1 cup almonds slices - ground
• 1 cup confectioners’ sugar - sifted
• 1 tsp. almond extract
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut

For the melted chocolate:

• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
• 2 teaspoons coconut oil

Instructions

For the macaroons:

1. Preheat Oven 325 degrees F.
2. Sift the powdered sugar into a medium sized bowl.
3. Grind the almonds in a food processor.
4. Add the ground almonds and shredded coconut to the sifted sugar and toss.
5. Beat the egg whites until stiff peaks are formed.
6. Fold the egg whites into the almond mixture along with the extracts.
7. Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper.
8. Place slightly rounded teaspoonfuls, about 2 inches apart, onto the prepared baking sheets.
9. Bake 20 – 25 minutes, until slightly golden in color. Transfer to a cooling rack.

For the melted chocolate:

1. In a double-boiler set over medium heat, melt down the chocolate and oil until smooth.
2. Line a baking sheet with wax paper and set aside.
3. Dip the macaroons in the melted chocolate and set on the prepared baking sheet. Then with the remaining chocolate, drizzle each.
4. Refrigerate the macaroons for about 5 minutes to allow the chocolate to set.
5. Serve and enjoy!

**If you enjoyed today's recipe, visit Living the Gourmet for more easy and delicious recipes!