Favourite Coconut Walnut Macaroons
Submitted by cat
Almond paste macaroons studded with coconut and walnuts, piped into rosettes and crowned with candied cherries. Chewy, fragrant Italian-style cookies for the holiday tin.
YIELD
60 servingsPREP
20 minCOOK
20 minREADY
40 minThe Italian-style chewy macaroon, built around a generous block of almond paste rather than whipped egg whites. The almond paste is what gives these their dense, marzipan-rich center, the crumbled coconut fills out the chew, and walnuts add textural snap.
A pastry bag with a star tip transforms what could be lumpy mounds into pretty rosettes. The candied cherry on top is the giveaway, these are bakery-window cookies, not random drop cookies.
Beat the almond paste into crumbs first before adding flour. Trying to integrate solid almond paste into a fully built batter leaves you with dense lumps that won’t bake through evenly.
Pro Tips
- Use fresh almond paste, not marzipan, the two aren’t interchangeable, marzipan is much sweeter and softer
- Pipe with a large star tip and parchment paper, the dough is sticky and clings to bare baking sheets
- Press the candied cherry halves on firmly before baking, they pop off in the oven if perched too lightly
- Pull when just golden, almond paste cookies overbake fast and turn from chewy to hard
Variations
- Swap walnuts for slivered almonds or pistachios for a different nutty character
- Drizzle with melted dark chocolate after cooling for a fancier finish
- Replace candied cherries with whole pine nuts for a Tuscan-style ricciarelli twist
Ingredients
Directions
In a food processor or blender, process coconut until finely chopped; set aside.
In a mixing bowl, beat almond paste until crumbled. Gradually add flour, sugar and coconut; mix well. Add eggs, one at a time; beat until smooth. Stir in nuts.
Place dough in a pastry bag with a large star tip; pipe onto baking sheets covered with parchment paper or foil. Top with cherries.
Bake at 350℉ (180℃) F for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 5 minutes before removing to wire racks.
Comments
Had a hard time finding almond paste but found some great homemade recipes on line. Almond paste is quite expensive so I found out. Making my own was very easy and turned out perfect. Now I'm ready to bake these cookies.