Paradise Macaroons

Recipe courtesy Alton Brown for 12 Days of Cookies 2008

Rated: 4 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (105)

Cook Time:
25 min
Level:
Intermediate
Yield:
approximately 3 1/2 dozen cookies

Times:

Prep: 30 min
Inactive Prep: 1 hr 30 min
Cook: 25 min
Total:: 2 hr 25 min

Recipe Tools:

Select a Card Size

Add To My Recipe Box

Success

This recipe was added to your Folder_Name folder.

Do not show this message again

Add To My Recipe Box

Please sign in to add this recipe to your Recipe Box.

Ingredients

2 (7 to 8-ounce) packages sweetened shredded coconut
2 ounces sweetened condensed milk
Pinch kosher salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 large egg whites at room temperature
5 ounces granulated sugar
12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
1 ounce vegetable shortening
2 ounces finely chopped dry-roasted macadamia nuts

Directions

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

Combine the coconut with the sweetened condensed milk, salt and vanilla in a medium mixing bowl.

In the bowl of a stand mixer with a whisk attachment, beat the egg whites on medium speed until foamy. Gradually add the sugar and continue to whip the whites until medium peaks form, 6 to 7 minutes.

Gently fold the egg whites into the coconut mixture. Scoop tablespoon-sized mounds onto a parchment-lined half sheet pan and bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. Immediately transfer the parchment with the macaroons to a cooling rack. Cool completely before topping.

Fill a 4-quart pot with enough water to come 2 inches up the side, set over medium heat and bring to a simmer. Combine the chocolate chips and shortening in a small metal or glass mixing bowl and set over the simmering pot. Stir occasionally until melted, then remove from the heat.

Dip the cooled cookies in the chocolate mixture, sprinkle with the chopped macadamia nuts and place on parchment paper to set, about 30 minutes.

Cook's Note:

Alton prefers to use weight measurements for baking, to ensure the best accuracy. Please be careful if you try converting this recipe to standard measurements, especially for liquid ingredients. Two ounces of sweetened condensed milk is about 3/16th of a cup, which is less than 1/4 cup but more than 1/8 cup.

Next Recipe

More recipes? Try these recommendations:

Similar Recipe

White Chocolate-Coconut Cookies

Photo: Paradise Macaroons

Similar Recipes

Recipes Like This

All About…

Recipe Collections

Showing 1-9 of 9

View all 9 Cookie Collections

Comments & Reviews

recipe Paradise Macaroons
barbara Basking Ridge, NJ 10-03-2009
Flag

These are amazing!
Rated: 4 stars out of 5

This is the best recipe, and love the accompanied video! I did make larger sized cookies, and they still baked perfectly!
recipe Paradise Macaroons
Jessica Des Moines, WA 09-14-2009
Flag

Paradise in the mouth!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

These cookies are the best I just made them today and the family and I couldn't even get the chocolate or nuts on them. I... have to make a second batch when they are gone, so I will have some ready for Christmas.Read more
recipe Paradise Macaroons
Diane Orlando, FL 05-20-2009
Flag

Delicious!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

Everyone I made them for was raving about how good they were :D Plus I had never made macaroons before this, and the recipe... was easy to follow. Have made them several times since then.Read more
recipe Paradise Macaroons
Jenny Austin, TX 03-23-2009
Flag

Smash Hit!!!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

These are awesome! Thanks again Alton!I made these for Christmas and have made them for other parties since. Everyone loves... them. My brother couldn't keep his hand off them! They also keep really well without diminishing the taste or quality. Read more
recipe Paradise Macaroons
Marne Zimmerman, MN 01-08-2009
Flag

Excellent!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I made one recipe of these to pack into Christmas cookie tins with about 12 other kinds of cookies. I had to make another... batch because my husband ate them all! They are excellent. I did make a few changes though. Instead of spreading the chocolate on top, I dipped the bottoms in chocolate and put them on parchment to cool. They are so pretty on top that I didn't want to cover it up. I also dipped them in chopped almonds because I didn't have macadamia nuts. My favorite was just chocolate - forget the nuts. Get a kitchen scale - they are way more accurate than guessing amounts. They're cheap and useful. People loved these in their cookie tins.. I will make them every year!Read more
recipe Paradise Macaroons
Courtney Newport News, VA 01-07-2009
Flag

Easy and delicious !!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

This was an easy recipe and definitely a hit. My stepdad adored them ! Chewy and delicious, especially right outta the oven!!