I love coconut. But I've never loved macaroons. They're always formed into a mound. Or worse... pyramids with mouth scraping tips and corners. Why must the roof of your mouth suffer just to enjoy the promise chewy coconut goodness?
I present my modified macaroon. All the coconut flavor, in a flatter mouth preserving form.
A macaroon that eats like a cookie. And made in the microwave.
Toasted Coconut Macaroons
Text and Photo by Jac Kyles Baker
Makes 10 macaroons
Ingredients
2 1/2 cup shredded sweetened coconut
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3 egg whites
1/3 cup flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp almond extract
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 cup semi sweet chocolate chips (optional)
Preparation
For the toasted coconut:
Toast 2 cups of the coconut. On a microwave safe plate, toast 1 cup of coconut at a time in 20-30 second intervals on 100 percent power.
BE PATIENT! The coconut should be lightly toasted. You'll smell the coconut as it toasts. The coconut will burn if you set the timer for 1 minute without checking it.
For the cookies:
Combine the flour, baking powder and toasted coconut. Mix well.
Beat egg whites while gradually adding sugar. Beat egg whites until they are the consistency of a thin cake batter. Add salt and both extracts. Mix well.
Fold flour and toasted coconut mixture into beaten egg whites.
Spoon 2 TB of batter into cupcake lined ramekins or small cups/bowls. Stack 3 or 4 cupcake liners for stability if microwave safe bowls or cups are unavailable.
Place 4 to 6 cups around the outer edge of the the microwave carousel plate, leaving the center empty. Microwave on MEDIUM HIGH (70 %) for 2 to 3 1/2 minutes.* Repeat with remaining batter.
Bowls and cups will be hot. Carefully remove them from microwave and place macaroons on rack to cool.
Melt chocolate chips in microwave. Drizzle or drop melted chocolate onto cooled macaroons.
Store in an airtight container.
Cook's Notes
*For less than 4 macaroons, reduce cooking time. Microwave two macaroons for one minute.
Reduce cooking time if reusing still hot or warm cups/bowls.