Coconut Macaroons (NOT Macarons !) - The Cookie Type

Not to be confused with Macarons....

Both are truly delightful - but in very different ways.

Macaroons are kind of coconut heaps. Crispy on the outside and still soft on the inside. Rustic looking Childs play to make. Make these and I promise you, they'll stay in your recipe book forever and ever and ever.

Macarons are made with ground almonds and are a meringue like shell which is crisp on the outside, but chewy when you bite in. Typically filled with some kind of buttercream or ganache. Known for being pretty, petite, daunting to make and easy to ruin - and often really bright colours. Actually - they aren't that bad ! I've got loads of recipes on this blog.

Recipe

225 > 250g dessicated coconut

175g caster sugar

2 large egg whites

75g milk chocolate

75g plain chocolate

zest of 1/2 a lemon, finely grated

Whip the egg whites with the sugar to combine. They won't fluff up - but will look a bit foamy.

Combine the 200g of dessicated coconut. Add enough to combine with the egg whites until it looks dry and holds together when you squish it in your hands. I needed 240g this time.

Form into semi-flattened balls. This batch made nine macaroons.

Bake in a fan oven at appxo 160deg C (180deg C for normal ovens ) for 10 > 12 minutes until golden. Allow to cool.

Once cool, remove from the silicone sheet.

Melt the milk and plain chocolates together. I use half and half as good plain chocolate is too bitter for my taste, but milk can make them a bit overly sweet.

Dip the bases in the chocolate and leave them sat upside down until the chocolate hardens. Drizzle or pipe some more chocolate over the top and if desired top with a glace cherry.

These keep well in an air tight container for several days.

It's been a busy couple of months and I'm very behind in blogging. Ironically, I'm blogging my new stuff just done before the other things I've photographed and not shown you yet - so things may get a little out of season shortly !

Here is Oliver 15/4/12 with his new training bike.

No pedals - it's to promote balance and no need for stabilisers. He was whizzing around on it with his feet off the floor inside a few minutes. Despite the sunshine, it was bitterly cold and a very windy day !