Almond Coconut Macaroons (just 3 ingredients)
These almond coconut Macaroons are the easiest cookies you can make with just three main ingredients. Ideal for a last-minute tea party and great for almost all diets. Since these are naturally vegetarian, eggless as well as gluten-free this becomes the perfect macaroon recipe to take to friends or store in your cookie jar for guests especially little ones.
Have you ever had to take cookies where they also specify – no eggs, gluten-free, vegetarian, nut free, dairy free? Ah!! It drives me nuts to think of what I can take with me. I mean there is always going to be someone with an allergy that I cannot address.
So, often this is one of those cookies that I take with me. Macaroon recipes are just a blessing It’s eggless, vegetarian, and gluten-free. Also, if you want you can make it nut-free too by replacing the almond meal with coconut flour.
And, they are so easy – mix three main ingredients together, scoop them on a baking tray, bake for about 18 to 20 minutes, and voila! You have some delicious cookies in less than 30 minutes. For me, this is effortless baking.
Now, I know coconut can be a bit high on the calories. And yet, it has so many other good things about it. If you Google “health benefits of coconut” you will see that the benefits are endless. And as long as you are not eating loads of coconut on a regular basis you don’t need to worry about the calories.
About this cookie
The best thing about this cookie is that it has only three ingredients. Plus because I use desiccated coconut means I don’t have to worry about getting the freshly grated coconut. I do love fresh coconut but it means I have to make a trip to the super but a bag of desiccated coconut is always in my pantry.
Because making this cookie means just adding three ingredients in a bowl, Aadi often takes lead to make it for us. So when he’s in the mood for macaroons or if he wants to show off with this friends he’ll say – I know how to make them – mom just has to do the oven. And he does show up really impresses the girls. Yup, he’s 11 so impressing girls is kinda important these days. You know what I mean right?
You know I love simple recipes with fewer ingredients like my candied fruit shortbread which also uses only three ingredients. And of course, almost all my ice cream recipes have three or four ingredients.
Let’s talk ingredient and substitutes (Save/Pin)
- Condensed milk – just one cake of condensed milk makes a whole batch of cookies. You can use homemade condensed milk as well as long as you have the right consistency.
- Coconut – I’m using desiccated coconut and this works best for me so I can keep the cookies for a while. Freshly grated coconut works for this just as well though fresh coconut cookies have a much shorter shelf life.
- Almon meal – This adds flavor and texture to the cookie. You can use coconut flour or semolina too.
- Vanilla – The condensed milk does have vanilla so you can omit this ingredient but a little splash of good vanilla always works in its favor.
Useful Tips and Tools
- I’m not a slave to mixers. And yet, when you need some good creaming I have to insist that you use the K-Mix or Kitchen Aid.
- A good baking tray is always important. So, try using a light colored baking tray. Another option is to line the baking tray with parchment paper.
- If you aren’t going to fill or decorate these cookies a regular rolling pin will work just fine. And yet, a cookie rolling pin has the side spacers that will also help you with rolling. So all your cookies are leveled and bake evenly.
- Also, it is really important to cool cookies completely on all sides as soon as they come out of the oven. So, take them off the baking tray to prevent them from cooking further and place them on a cooking rack so they air circulates on all sides. This prevents steam from going back into the cookie, thus, keeping them crispy not soggy.
- Always bake cookies on the center rack of your oven. And if you have more than one tray simply bake them one at a time. You can bake two trays at the same time, and yet this can lead to some of the cookies in the bottom tray spreading too much. Also, you can rotate the trays during the baking. This is helpful with some cookies.
- Most cookies usually bake between 10 to 12 minutes. Since cookies bake quickly they can also get over-baked. This is due to our tendency to get distracted at the last minute. Hence, my solution is a kitchen timer that is always set to 10 minutes. I turn it on as soon as I place the cookies in the oven. This has saved me many cookies since my kids always keep me busy.
How to make Almond Coconut Macaroons (Save/Pin)
Ingredients – can be found in the recipe card below with conversions.
Method
- Preheat oven at 170 C/ 340 F.
- Combine condensed milk with vanilla and salt.
- Followed by the desiccated coconut
- Then add the almond meal.
- Scoop onto a baking tray using a cookie scooper or two spoons.
- Bake for about 15 to 18 minutes or until lightly golden.
- Cool on the baking tray then on a wire rack.
- Enjoy!
Frequently asked questions
Coconut flakes and shredded coconut are usually used but desiccated coconut can also be used. They all work well.
The only difference is that macaroons made with dried coconut such as desiccated or flakes have a longer shelf life.
Coconut macarons made with dried coconut flakes or desiccated coconut can be kept out at room temperature for a week. While the fresh will stay out for 3 to 4 days.
Any nut meal can be used instead of almond meal. I love pecans as well as cashew nut meal. You can even use coconut flour for a more coconut flavor.
Too much moisture in the macaroons. This can happen especially when using fresh coconut as the coconut releases too much juice.
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Almond Coconut Macaroons (3 ingredients)
Print Pin RateDescription
Equipment /Tools
- Ice Cream Scooper
Ingredients
- 397 grams (1.3 cups) Condensed milk
- 225 grams (2.65 cups) Desiccated coconut
- 1/4 cup (1/4 cup) Almond meal (or coconut flour)
- 1/2 tsp (1/2 tsp) Salt
- 1 tsp (1 tsp) Vanilla
Instructions
- Preheat oven at 170 C/ 340 F.
- Combine condensed milk with vanilla and salt.
- Followed by the dedicated coconut and almond meal or coconut flour.
- scoop onto a baking tray using a cookie scooper or two spoons
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 15 to 18 minutes or until lightly golden.
- Cool on the baking tray then on a wire rack.
- Enjoy!
Recipe Video
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Nutrition Information
The nutrition information and metric conversion are calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee its accuracy. If this data is important to you please verify with your trusted nutrition calculator. Thank you
Gene
I love recipes that you can make with items you have on hand. I always have coconut in my pantry for making granola. Now visitors with little notice, sorted. Thank you!
Veena Azmanov
Me too, Gene. I know what you mean.
Mahy Elamin
These cookies were so easy to put together. Smelled so good and tasted wonderful. Definitely will make again.. Thank you for the recipe
Veena Azmanov
Thank you, Mahy. So happy you enjoyed these cookies so much. The do smell wonderful. Don’t they? Thanks for coming back to write this feedback. Have a wonderful week.
Claudia Lamascolo
love using almond meal and these certainly sound over the top delicious and flavorful. I must try them soon!
Veena Azmanov
Thank you, Claudia. Yes, these are so delicious.
Jeannette (Jay Joy)
Eggless and gluten-free is perfect to bring to work for my vegetarian co-workers. I live on an island and we have coconuts everywhere. We sometimes run out of things to do with the coconut shavings after we make coconut milk, so these cookies are perfect!
Veena Azmanov
Absolutely, Jeannette. OH you must make this when you have extra coconut it’s so delicious. My kids love it.
Liz
I love recipes like this because I actually have all the ingredients and I can avoid a trip to the store! Haha these are so perfect for a party!
Veena Azmanov
That is so cool. You must make these Liz. Let me know how they were.
Diana
I haven’t had a coconut macaroon is ageeees! Really want to try and bake my own!
Veena Azmanov
They are so easy Diana – you must try. <3
Sara
There is nothing quite as delicious as a macaroon. These look awesome!
Veena Azmanov
That is so true Sara..! They are super delicious.
Meg
I am going to throw an allergy party over these! I cannot wait to try them!
Veena Azmanov
Thanks Meg.. Yup.. these would work great for those parties unless you have someone who doesn’t like coconut
Sarah
YUM! If I eat a whole plate of these, will it ruin my diet? hehehe. These look AMAZING
Veena Azmanov
Thanks Sarah!! lol they are addictive..! I make a batch and there always nothing for tomorrow.
Lindsay Cotter
I love how easy these are to make! Plus I pretty much always have these ingredients in my pantry. They’ll be great for a quick last minute treat for when I’m wanting something sweet!
Veena Azmanov
Yup! you said it Lindsay.. quick and we always have those three ingredients at home.
Ligia Fermin
Thank you Veena; they look delicious!
Tina Gatlin
What is disiccated coconut. Thanks