So, I ended up making macaroons for Valentine’s Day. And not those fancy colored cookie things with the almond filling (not that there’s anything wrong with that), but your basic coconut macaroon. But it wasn’t so basic because we did a little dipping. In chocolate. As one is wont to do, especially on Valentine’s Day.
There are lots of macaroon recipes — a lot involving separating eggs and whipping them, and I just didn’t feel like it. I was in a bit of a rush (and who isn’t?). And when I say rush, I was actually in a rush, plus I figured why do something the hard way when the easy way is just as good?
And sweet Jesus, this was easy. I almost had nothing to photograph. It’s literally mixing five ingredients together and plopping them on a sheet pan. And then melting some chocolate. And dipping those macaroons into said chocolate. And then trying to wait for the chocolate to harden before eating. And failing.
That’s all folks. Genius. Seriously, I’m afraid of how easy they are. This may become an addiction.
Chocolate-Dipped Macaroons
2 large eggs
1/2 cup sugar (preferably organic cane)
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2-2/3 – 3 cups unsweetened coconut
Topping:
4 ounces dark chocolate (I recommend 70% cacao)
1 teaspoon vegetable shortening or canola oil
PLEASE NOTE: I’m almost embarrassed to write these instructions.
Preheat oven to 350ºF/180ºC. Mix the eggs with a whisk. Whisk in sugar, salt, vanilla. Add coconut (start with 2-2/3 cups; if it’s still really wet, add the rest). Scoop about a tablespoon onto a Silpat- or parchment-lined sheet pan (I used my hands to form little mounds — ooh, is that where they got the name? Discuss.), leaving about an inch between cookies.
Bake for about 15 minutes or until tops and bottoms just start to brown. Cool on a rack.
While the macaroons are cooling, melt the chocolate and shortening in a double boiler or a glass bowl over simmering water.
Dip the tops of the macaroons in the melted chocolate. Or if you want to be fancy you can take a spoon and drizzle some lines across the tops (although personally, that’s not enough chocolate for me and too much ends up underneath the rack and then I’m forced to scrape it off and eat it and that’s not a good use of one’s time especially for people in a rush like me). [Please note these macaroons were going to my son's school for Valentine's Day, so I did drizzle if only to slightly lessen the sugar/caffeine content for the little monsters.]
Feed seductively to your valentine (or just shovel them in your own mouth before he gets home from work).
