Paradise Macaroons

Recipe courtesy Alton Brown for 12 Days of Cookies 2008

Rated: 4 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (107)

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

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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.

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Comments & Reviews

recipe Paradise Macaroons
julia omaha, NE 11-16-2009
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My Favorite Cookie
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

This is one of the easiest cookies to prepare and the cookie that always goes the fastest on cookie trays! Our family... favorite!Read more
recipe Paradise Macaroons
Debbie Canton, GA 11-15-2009
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If your going to cook, you can't be lazy!!!!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

All recipes can be wonderful if you aren't too lazy to use what you need to prepare them properly. The attitudes I have read... in these comments suggest that, all of you that aren't willing to take a FEW seconds and a FEW dollars to purchase a scale or look at other measuring alternatives, should NOT be in the kitchen anyway!!!!! I'm guessing that you are all the types of people that cook out of frozen packages or boxes right off of the grocery shelves and don't want to really enjoy what you are doing. TAKE TIME IN THE KITCHEN TO REALLY ENJOY WHAT YOU ARE DOING, ALL OF THE CHEFS WITH FOODNETWORK OR ANY OTHER PLACE JUST WANT EVERYONE TO ENJOY THEIR SAME PASSION. And no, I am not a professional chef, I'm just a personal chef that happens to really enjoy cooking and experimenting with new dishes and utensils. By the way, these are great and easy macaroons....Read more
recipe Paradise Macaroons
barbara Basking Ridge, NJ 10-03-2009
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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
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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
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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
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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