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Coconut Macaroon Cookies are slightly crisp on the outside with chewy coconut on the inside. Perfect for Easter, parties, dessert, or just a quick treat!
Featured with this recipe
I had no idea Coconut Macaroons were so easy to make! There are only 5 ingredients in this recipe! These delicious cookies are golden brown and crisp on the outside, and moist with a chewy texture on the inside. My daughter found this recipe while searching for ideas for her graduation party. She decorated with pastel colors and wanted a white or cream-colored dessert that would look pretty on her fun polka-dot plates. Like her mother, she loves coconut and thought these would go well with her party theme. She was right – they were a hit!
Macaroons vs Macarons
You may be wondering why these aren’t little pastel colored cookie sandwiches with frosting in the middle. That’s because you’re thinking about macarONs. These are macarOONs! People pronounce them wrong all the time, so don’t feel bad. I know, I know it’s confusing, but they are both delicious treats so you really can’t go wrong!
Ingredients in Coconut Macaroons
- Egg whites
- White sugar
- Vanilla extract
- Almond extract
- Sweetened shredded coconut
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips – optional
Tips on Making Coconut Macaroons
I’ve never made coconut macaroons before and was a little surprised at how long they take to bake in the oven. They are thick in the middle and need more time to cook thoroughly without burning on the outer edges and on top. Make sure your oven is at exactly 325 degrees before putting in the cookies! If your oven has hot spots, be sure to rotate your baking sheet while cooking to prevent cookies from burning. Once cooled, coconut macaroons should be stored in an airtight container. After you cook these, they keep 3 days at room temperature, and 5 days in the refrigerator.
Frequently Asked Questions
Once cooled completely, you can store them in airtight container for three days at room temperature, or five days in the refrigerator.
While coconut macaroons SHOULD be gluten free, meaning the ingredients in them should not contain any gluten, it is always best practice to read packaging to double check and be extra safe.
The French macaron is almond flour based and a delicate sandwich cookie with different fillings, whereas the American macaroon is coconut based and more of a dollop shaped.
Read next:33+ Easy Dessert Ideas
Other Delicious Coconut Recipes
If you love our Coconut Macaroons recipe, try some of our other coconut recipes:
- Graham Cracker Coconut Cookies
- Coconut Cream Cake with Coconut Cream Cheese Frosting
- Coconut Cream Pie
- Tasty Coconut Cupcakes
- Sweet Coconut Bread
- Coconut Lime Cheesecake Bars
How to Make Coconut Macaroons
Coconut Macaroon Cookies
Ingredients
- 4 large egg whites
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 4 3/4 cups sweetened shredded coconut
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
- In a large bowl or electric mixer, beat or whisk egg whites, sugar, vanilla, and almond extract. Mix on a medium-high speed until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is light and foamy.
- Fold in coconut until evenly blended.
- Scoop 2-3 tablespoons of the coconut mixture with a spoon or cookie scoop onto prepared baking sheets lined with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Place cookies about 2 inches apart.
- Bake 20 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool completely on a wire rack.
- Store in airtight container for 3 days at room temperature, or 5 days in the refrigerator.
Optional Chocolate Topping
- Melt chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl (microwave at 15 second intervals and stir until completely melted) and drizzle over cooled macaroons.
Notes
- Instead of drizzling the macaroon in chocolate, try dipping the top in chocolate instead.
- Drizzle melted caramel on the little mounds for a different flavor.
- Mix it up! Drizzle both melted caramel and chocolate for layers of flavor explosion!
Nutrition Information
The credit for this recipe goes to Sally’s Baking Addiction. Thank you for the great recipe!
This recipe is perfect, made them last night and it came out great! It was chewy on the outside and chewy inside. Thanks for sharing!
Oh I love the chewy coconut inside! Great recipe!
These coconut macaroons literally look like they came right out of a professional bakery! I am going to try this recipe as I LOVE coconut!
They were nothing to write home about. They went a little soft in the oven and spread out too much. Very spongey. I will not make them again.
These macaroons are perfect! We thoroughly enjoyed them. Thanks for the great recipe!
Absolutely delicious! My husband keeps asking when I can make them again!
Yum – thanks so much. Love these cookies.