12 Days of Christmas // Chocolate Dipped Coconut Macaroons ♥

Hello Everyone! It's day 9 of the 12 days of Christmas, and it's finally cookie day!

 

I had today off from work so I spent it in my slippers, listening to Christmas music, and making cookies.  After all the rushing around these last few weeks it was so nice to stay home today.  PLUS it was rainy and stormy out so it worked out even better ♥

 

 

 

 

 

I've been looking forward to making cookies all week.  I started with 3 batches of the raspberry thumbprint cookies that I made last year (click here for the recipe). 

 

 

This year I made some with raspberry jam and some with apricot ♥

 

 

 

 

These cookies are addictive! They are the most delicate butter cookie with yummy jam in the center. So delicious with a cup of tea in the afternoon. 

 

 Don't worry, I've set aside a stash just for me : )

 

 

In addition to the raspberry thumbprints, I tried my hand at this recipe for coconut macaroons.  They were super easy to make and only had a few ingredients (which I loved!).  I  have several coconut lovers in my family so I'm sure these will be a hit on Christmas eve!  After the cookies cooled I dipped the bottoms in melted chocolate to give them a little extra love!

 

My cookie testers told me they were very tasty! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

recipe from Allrecipes.com

 

 

2/3 cup flour

5 1/2 cups flaked coconut (I used sweetened coconut)

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk

2 teaspoons vanilla

 

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

 

Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper.

 

In a large bowl stir together the flour, coconut, and salt.  Mix in the sweetened condensed milk and vanilla - using your hands until well blended.  Using a cookie scoop  drop dough onto the prepared cookie sheet. Cookies should be about golf ball size.  Bake 12 - 15 minutes in preheated oven, until coconut is toasted. 

My oven was exactly 13 minutes  :)

 

For the chocolate - melt 1 bag of milk chocolate chips over a double boiler until smooth.  Once cookies are completely cooled, dip bottom (flat side) into the melted chocolate.  Carefully lay back on cookie sheet to set.  I put the entire sheet in the fridge overnight.  Store in airtight container.

 

♥

 

Tomorrow we are headed over to my mother in law's house for our annual Christmas lunch.  I'll be bringing a plate of these cookies for sure!

 

See you tomorrow! xo

 

 

Salted Caramel Macaroons ♥

 

Hello Friends! How was your Easter weekend? I'll tell you about our day in a minute, but first I want to share with you this recipe for salted caramel macaroons.  I just can't wait!

 

My plan was to make a coconut cake for Easter and then I saw this recipe.  It was the first time I've ever made salted caramel anything. I'm officially hooked!  I think I could drizzle this stuff on just about anything and it would taste good. No joke!

 

 

 

 

I got the recipe from one of my Favorite blogs: Shutterbean.com.  Tracy has the most amazing recipes! They are easy to follow and everything I've ever made from her blog always comes out great. Her blog is beautiful! She has a little of everything you are looking for - from delicious salads to the most decadent deserts.  She's super funny too and has an adorable little boy. She's pretty much got it all as far as I'm concerned ♥

 

Here's how to make Tracy's macaroons:

 

1 cup sweetened condensed milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 14oz. bag sweetened shredded coconut

2 large egg whites

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

1/4 cup sugar

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper.

 

 

 

 

In a large bowl mix the sweetened condensed milk, coconut, and vanilla.  Slowly stir in the coconut and mix until well combined.  In a separate bowl, whip the egg whites until very stiff peaks form (about 2 minutes).

 

 

 

 

Gently fold in the egg whites.

 



 

Using a spoon or 1 1/2 ice cream scoop (that's what I used) form mixture into balls and place them about 1 inch apart on baking sheet.  Bake 20 - 25 minutes.

Keep a close eye on them after 20 minutes.  They will turn golden brown and the edges will get nice and crispy!

 

 

Remove from the oven and let rest for about three minutes.  After that transfer to a cooling rack.  I slid the entire sheet of parchment right from the cookie sheet to the cooling rack so I would not disturb the cookies. 

 

 

 

While the cookies are cooling you can make the caramel.  Place sugar in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat and do not touch until sugar starts to melt. It will turn clear to pale yellow and then start to darken. When it starts to boil stir rapidly until it gets nice and smooth & there are no lumps.  When the sugar turns a copper color (above) add the butter and sea salt.  Remove from heat. 

 

 

 

Working quickly, drizzle the caramel over the cooled macaroons.  When you look at Tracy's blog you will see that her caramel was drizzled nice and neatly.  Mine didn't come out as pretty, but thankfully, no one seemed to mind ♥

 

 

 

These macaroons are slightly crispy on the outside and chewy and delicious on the inside! I couldn't resist sampling one (or two) while the caramel was still hot. YUM!

 

 

 

I left a few plain (without caramel) just in case anyone preferred it.  They are just as good!

 

 

 

 

We had a beautiful day for Easter! The sun was shining brightly on our Egg Tree! My little one woke up at 6:30 am and found all the eggs the Easter Bunny hid before I even finished my first cup of coffee! He tore through his Easter basket like you wouldn't believe. It was so fast I didn't even get a picture! After inhaling a package of Peeps its amazing how fast a six year old can move! Lightning speed!

 

We got dressed, went to Church, and then off we went to our family celebration.

 

 

 

 

My Mom made a delicious turkey dinner for our family.  I enjoyed it with a glass of rosé wine ♥ 

 



 

 

 

Followed by another egg hunt and lots of candy and chocolate!  

 

 

 

 

We ended the day with a walk around the neighborhood to digest. John road his new scooter he got from the Easter Bunny. It felt really good to breathe in the fresh Spring air and see the pretty flowers blooming all around us.  Not a snowflake in sight! Spring has finally arrived! We made it ♥

 

 

 

 

I hope you had a lovely Easter holiday too! I'm still knee deep in Cadbury Mini Eggs! I keep eating them but they won't seem to go away. Every day there are more and more.  I have a serious problem on my hands (and thighs!). 

 

Bye! xo