This coconut macaroon recipe is a no-bake, beginner-friendly treat with an incredibly delicious coconut filling that’s covered in chocolate. Plus, you can make it ahead of time for an easy dessert option.
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Do you love coconut and chocolate? Then this recipe is for you! These macaroons have a sweet, chewy coconut center and are dipped in rich, creamy chocolate. They’re the perfect combination of flavors and textures in every bite.
Love all things coconut? Then you’ll definitely want to try my coconut cookies! If you enjoy the combination of chocolate and coconut, you’ll love my coconut truffles and chocolate coconut pie.
This is a friend’s recipe that she made for me and I just had to share it after enjoying the simplicity of the flavors.
Why I Love This Recipe
- Easy to Make: This recipe is a piece of cake, or should I say, a piece of macaroon! Just mix the macaroon ingredients, form them into balls, and refrigerate. Then, coat them with chocolate. That’s it!
- Surprisingly Delicious: With just a few simple ingredients, you’ll be amazed at how incredibly tasty these macaroons are.
- Family Favorite: These coconut macaroons are a hit with both kids and adults. They’re the perfect sweet treat for the whole family.
- Impressive: Despite their simple ingredients, these macaroons look and taste absolutely amazing, making them a great dessert to serve at gatherings or give as gifts.
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Key Ingredients
- Shredded Coconut: This is the star of our recipe, giving the macaroons their signature coconut flavor and chewy texture.
- Coconut Oil: When melted, it helps bind the ingredients together and adds a subtle coconut undertone.
- All-Purpose Flour: This ingredient gives the macaroons structure and helps to hold everything together.
- Pure Maple Syrup: It sweetens the macaroons and adds a lovely, subtle caramel flavor.
- Salt: A pinch of salt enhances the sweetness of the other ingredients and balances the flavors.
- Pure Vanilla Extract: It adds a rich, sweet flavor and a wonderful aroma to the macaroons.
- Chocolate Chips: These will be melted to make a delicious chocolate coating for our macaroons.
- Unsweetened Coconut Milk: This will be mixed with the chocolate to make it creamy and add a hint of coconut flavor.
- Honey: It sweetens the chocolate and gives it a shiny, smooth texture.
- Pure Vanilla Extract: Just a touch will enhance the chocolate’s flavor.
Equipment
- Double Boiler or Microwave – This is to melt the chocolate coating ingredients. You can use either method, but a double boiler is preferred as it helps to melt the chocolate gently.
How to Make Coconut Macaroon Recipe
Preparation
To start, gather all your ingredients. You’ll need shredded coconut, sweetened condensed milk, vanilla extract, and salt for the macaroon mixture. You’ll also need some semisweet chocolate and a little bit of shortening for the chocolate coating.
Step 1 – Combine the Macaroon Mixture
Mix all the macaroon ingredients with a fork in a bowl until well combined. This will be the base of your macaroons.
Step 2 – Shape the Macaroons
Form the macaroon mixture into balls and refrigerate until hard. If you want to add a little variation, you can toast some whole almonds and insert one almond into each coconut ball before refrigerating. This will give your macaroons a hint of almond flavor and a crunchy texture.
Step 3 – Make the Chocolate Coating
Next, melt the chocolate coating ingredients together. You can do this in the microwave or using a double boiler.
Step 4 – Coat the Macaroons with Chocolate
While the chocolate is warm, coat each coconut ball using your fingers or a fork. Then, dry the coated macaroons on wax paper.
Expert Tip
For a little variation, toast some whole almonds at 325°F for 8 minutes and then insert one almond into each coconut ball before refrigerating – it simulates the flavor of an Almond Joys candy bar!
Recipe Variations
- Dark Chocolate: This recipe calls for semisweet chocolate, but feel free to use dark chocolate if you prefer a richer, less sweet flavor.
- Extra Crunch: For an extra crunch in your macaroons, add a 1/2 cup of chopped, toasted almonds to the macaroon mixture. This will add a delicious nutty flavor to your treats.
What to Serve With
- For a classic dessert presentation, serve these coconut macaroons on a pretty platter with a cup of your favorite coffee or tea. The hint of coconut and the sweet chocolate coating pair perfectly with a hot beverage.
- If you’re hosting a brunch, these macaroons can be a unique addition to your dessert spread.
- These coconut macaroons are also great for gifting. Simply place them in a decorative box or tin and share them with friends and family. You can also add them to a dessert platter with other homemade treats.
Make Ahead Instructions
These coconut macaroons freeze really well! Place them in a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between the layers to prevent sticking. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Recipe FAQs
You can use either sweetened or unsweetened shredded coconut for this recipe. However, using sweetened coconut will make the macaroons a bit sweeter. It’s really a matter of personal preference.
Yes, if you don’t have coconut oil, you can substitute it with melted butter. This might alter the coconut flavor slightly, but the recipe will still work.
Once you’ve formed the macaroon mixture into balls, it’s best to refrigerate them for at least 30 minutes, or until they are firm. This will make it easier to coat them with the chocolate mixture without the balls losing their shape.
Storing and Reheating
- Storing: After enjoying these delicious coconut macaroons, you can store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh for up to one week.
- Freezing: If you’d like to save some for later, these macaroons are a great candidate for freezing. Simply place them in a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between the layers to prevent sticking. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months.
- Thaw: When you’re ready to enjoy your frozen macaroons, let them thaw at room temperature. This will take about 1-2 hours.
Serving Size
- What to Expect: This coconut macaroon recipe yields about 12 delicious coconut macaroons.
- How to Scale: If you want to make more than 12 macaroons, you can double the recipe. Just make sure to use a larger bowl to mix the ingredients and a baking sheet with enough space to accommodate the increased quantity. Follow the rest of the instructions as directed.
Coconut Macaroon Recipe
Ingredients
Macaroons:
- 2 Cups shredded coconut
- 1/4 Cup coconut oil melted
- 1/2 Cup all purpose flour
- 1/3 Cup pure maple syrup
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Chocolate Coating:
- 1 1/2 Cups chocolate chips
- 1/2 Cup unsweetened coconut milk
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Mix all the macaroon ingredients with a fork in a bowl until well combined. Form into balls and refrigerate for approximately 1 hour or until filling is hard.
- Combine the chocolate coating ingredients in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave for 1 minute. Stir until all the chips are fully melted. If needed, microwave at 15 second increments. You want to allow the chips to melt by string to get the best results. Over heating will cause the chocolate to sieze.
- While chocolate is warm, coat each ball using your fingers or a fork. Place on wax paper and sprinkle with a little coconut. Let chocolate cool and harden before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
This recipe was originally published in 2016. The instructions have been updated to provide more detail. The recipe remains the same.
