Homemade Valentines/Coconut Macaroons

The coconut macaroon is a very versatile cookie. It can be eaten warm or cold, by itself or drizzled in chocolate, and served at a tea party or a ball game. As such, they make the perfect homemade valentines for friends and neighbors. If you have a lot of people on your list, then you may want to double or triple this recipe. It makes about 24 cookies but they are small. 

We don't do a lot with coconut around here. Those of us that like shrimp prefer it naked rather than clothed in coconut and fried. (I'm okay with it - especially with an apricot glaze. But I can't seem to convince any of the kidletts.) So I figured that a cookie was a good place to introduce the unique texture of coconut flakes. 

For us, this wasn't about learning a new skill it was about trying a new ingredient. I let the little ones feel the flakes in their hands. Smell it - if they wanted. The older three tasted it raw but the 4-year-old refused. Once they realized it wouldn't kill them, they were much more open to the idea of a cookie made entirely out of coconut. (Love that I have to convince them I'm not trying to feed them poison.) 

 Coconut Macaroons 

Makes about 24 cookies

Click here to print this recipe.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups flaked coconut

1/3 cup sugar

2 tablespoons flour

1/8 teaspoon salt

2 egg whites

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 teaspoon rum extract

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.

2. Combine coconut, sugar, flour salt in a small bowl.

3. Add the egg whites, vanilla, and rum extract. 

4. Stir until well combined. 

5. Use a teaspoon to measure out a cookie ball and drop the ball onto a greased cookie sheet. 

6. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until golden brown.