Coconut Macaroons

Coconut lovers worldwide have fallen head over heels for these Coconut Macroons! Soft and crispy with a chewy interior and chocolaty exterior, these Coconut Macaroons are loaded with flavor. With only 6 ingredients, they are a quick and simple coconut cookie recipe that will make any coconut lover squeal with delight!

Coconut Macaroons

These coconut macaroons come together with just a few simple ingredients for a simple yet exquisitely-tasting cookie. Crispy coconut flakes covered in chocolate fudge ready to be dipped or dunked into a cup of coffee or tea or paired with a cold glass of milk. They will bring out the coconut lover in you. 

coconut macaroons with chocolate

These chewy coconut macaroons are the perfect holiday cookies, great for cookie exchanges, hostess gifts, or just for an everyday treat. They are a staple in my house. Rest assured I either have a batch ready to eat on the counter or some stashed away in the freezer. I keep a bag of coconut for macaroons in the pantry just so I can be ready to prepare this delicious coconut macaroon recipe anytime.

If you love this coconut macaroon recipe, you are sure to love these too: Coconut Cream Pie, Chocolate Oatmeal Coconut Cookies, or this Coconut Mug Cake.   

coconut macaroon cookie recipe

Sweetened coconut flakes combined with your basic cookie ingredients transform into an easy and delightful treat. I’ve drizzled the macaroons with store-bought chocolate fudge to keep it super easy but go ahead and make your own and feel free to coat them completely if you are a real chocolate lover. Or change them up and use caramel sauce, or even dulce de leche. 

Coconut macaroon ingredients

For complete ingredients and instructions scroll to the bottom of this post for the full printable recipe. 

• Flaked coconut – I used sweetened flaked coconut flakes in these coconut macaroon cookies.
• Sugar – White granulated sugar sweetens up these macaroons.
• Flour – I’ve used white all-purpose flour instead of the traditional almond flour or ground almonds. 
• Salt – A touch of salt enhances the flavor.
• Egg whites – Use just egg whites, save the leftover egg yolks for an omelet. 
• Vanilla – Use real vanilla extract for the best flavor.
• Chocolate fudge frosting – Melted chocolate fudge frosting is used for a drizzle over the macaroons. 

How to make this recipe for coconut macaroons

These macaroons come together quickly and easily. 

In a medium bowl, prepare the coconut mixture by combining coconut, sugar, flour, and salt, and mix well. In a separate bowl, beat egg whites and vanilla until blended and stiff peaks form.  Pour the egg mixture over the coconut mixture and blend well.

Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto a greased cookie sheet.

Alternatively, line the cookie sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat so the bottoms of the macaroons don’t stick. 

Fifth: Bake at 325 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.

Cool to room temperature on a wire rack. 

Drizzle the little mounds with melted chocolate. Cool.

Leftover macaroons will be kept for up to one week in an airtight container at room temperature. Frozen, these macaroons will keep for up to 3 months. 

Love it? Pin it!

If you love this best coconut macaroon cookie recipe, make sure that you don’t lose it! Pin it to your favorite Pinterest recipe board before you go!

Macaroons Vs. Macarons – What’s the Difference?

Coconut macaroons contain shredded coconut, sugar, egg whites, vanilla, and sometimes flour too. They look rough and bumpy on top and don’t have any filling inside. But they are moist and sweet on the inside.

French macarons are fancy, colorful, sandwich-style confections made out of almond flour, egg whites, and sugar. They typically have a sweet buttercream or jam filling in the middle with a super smooth outside and soft, chewy inside.

So while they both taste yummy they are completely different.

FAQs about this easy coconut macaroon cookie recipe

• What is a coconut macaroon made of? These coconut macaroons are made with coconut, sugar, flour, egg whites, vanilla and fudge frosting. Some coconut macaroons contain sweetened condensed milk, but mine does not. 
• What’s the difference between macaroons and coconut macaroons? Since macaroons are made up primarily of coconut, coconut macaroons, and macaroons are the same thing. 
• Do coconut macaroons have to be refrigerated? Coconut macaroons do not need to be refrigerated. 

Substitutions

Remember that when it comes to making substitutions in recipes, you don’t need to be afraid to get creative and use ingredients that suit your personal taste and dietary preferences. Make it your own!

•  Instead of the chocolate fudge frosting use melted chocolate to drizzle over the macaroons; dark chocolate would be perfect as would semi-sweet chocolate.  

• Add chocolate chips to the coconut cookies instead of drizzling with chocolate.

• Use almond extract instead of vanilla extract. 

• If you can’t find sweetened coconut flakes you can use unsweetened coconut and add a little more sugar. 

Tips & Tricks

• Use a cookie dough scoop to portion the dough so the macaroons are all the same size. 

• Use the whisk attachment of your electric mixer to whip the egg whites so they form soft peaks.

• For a more intense coconut flavor add a touch of coconut extract.  

More Cookies Recipes to Love

• Brown Sugar Cookie 

• Iced Maple Sugar Cookie

• Cornflake Crispy Cookie

• Cowboy Cookies (pictured above)

• Pecan Butter Cookies