12 Days of Holiday Gifts: Coconut Macaroons

Make Robin Miller's homemade coconut macaroons to give as a holiday gift this year.
coconut macaroons

Every holiday season, I make loads of confections for the amazing people in my life. That includes teachers, delivery people, friends and neighbors. Last year I gave out chocolate covered pretzel rods (with colored sprinkles on some and slivered almonds on the rest -- similar to Toby's recipe) and garlic-parmesan bread twists (made with puff pastry and presented in pretty vases with big red bows). This year, I made macaroons because my son adores them and they’re incredibly easy to make. I made one big batch and dunked half of them in melted semi-sweet chocolate (for some reason, my chocolate-loving son Kyle didn’t want his dunked!). Check out how short this ingredient list is and how easy they are to make! You can even quadruple the recipe and take care of everyone on your holiday list.

Coconut Macaroons

Note #1: For perfectly cooked macaroons, bake them one baking sheet at a time so they bake evenly.

Note #2: To shape the macaroons once they’re on the baking sheet, use moistened fingers (wet your fingers with water).

Makes 48 macaroons (I made mine slightly larger and got 40 macaroons)
14-ounce can fat-free sweetened condensed milk
2 large egg whites
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
2 (14-ounce) bags shredded sweetened coconut
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips, disks or chunks

Preheat oven to 325ºF.  Line four baking sheets with parchment paper.  Set aside.

Whisk together condensed milk, egg whites, vanilla and salt. Fold in coconut until well blended. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto prepared pans, about 1-2 inches apart. Bake 20 minutes, until golden brown. Cool pans on wire racks.

Melt the chocolate in a double boiler over simmering water or in the microwave on HIGH (when using the microwave, check and stir the chocolate every 30 seconds to make sure it doesn’t burn). Dip macaroons halfway into chocolate, covering half of the cookie. Cool on parchment or wax paper until chocolate hardens.

You Might Also Like:

Next Up

12 Best New Cookbooks to Gift This Mother’s Day

Bonus points if you cook her something from it first!

12 Days of Holiday Gifts: AeroGarden

Give the gift of fresh herbs all year long with an indoor herb grower, the Aerogarden.

12 Days of Holiday Gifts: Homemade Crackers

If you’ve got the cookie recipes covered, try a savory twist to your holiday gifts with homespun crackers. We’ve got two basic recipes you can use to create all kinds of festive flavors.

12 Days of Holiday Gifts: Infused Vodka

Trying to keep alcohol consumption modest this holiday season? Make the most of your celebratory sips with these homemade vodka infusions.

12 Days of Holiday Gifts: Flavored Honey

Looking to treat the sweet tooth on your gift list to something a bit unique this holiday season? DIY flavored honeys are a perfect fit.

12 Days of Holiday Gifts: Chocolate Bark

Everyone loves chocolate, so everyone on your holiday list will love a batch of homemade chocolate bark.

12 Days of Holiday Gifts: Panini Maker

Whether you’re cooking for a family or just for one, a Panini maker can help dress up an ordinary sandwich. Is there one on your holiday wishlist?