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Day 2 – Paradise Macaroons

// December 28th, 2010 // A State of Yum

Yes, yes, yesterday I was supposed to post day 2 of the 12 Days of Cookies, thereby providing you with this lovely recipe for Paradise Macaroons. But in my defense, I slept all day yesterday, which I suppose is not much of a defense at all. That said, and without further ado, I give you my recipe for Paradise Macaroons shamelessly stolen from Alton Brown (so you know it has to be good)!! Enjoy!

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.

You should get approximately 3 to 4 dozen cookies out of this one batch. And the extra step of dipping the cookies into chocolate and adding the macadamia nuts are well worth it. These cookies have replaced the Magic Bars we’ve made for years at Christmas time. Not that we have anything against Magic Bars but these macaroons are more elegant and are just so darn yummy! Let me know what you think of them!

Day 1 – Candy Cane Meringue Cookies       Day 3 – Mexican Wedding Cookies and Snowballs