Coconut macaroons are the perfect combination of crispy edges and chewy centers, making them an irresistible treat for any occasion. Whether you’re a coconut lover or just looking for a simple yet delicious dessert, these little cookies are sure to hit the spot. With just a handful of ingredients, coconut macaroons are surprisingly easy to make and offer a satisfying bite of sweetness with every mouthful.
The star of the show is, of course, the coconut. Shredded coconut gives these cookies their signature texture and flavor, providing a chewy center that contrasts perfectly with the slight crispness of the outer edges. Sweetened condensed milk is what binds the coconut together, creating a rich, creamy base that adds sweetness and moisture to the macaroons. A little vanilla extract brings in a warm, aromatic flavor that enhances the natural sweetness of the coconut, while a pinch of salt helps to balance everything out.
One of the best things about this delightful treat is their versatility. They can be made without flour, making them naturally gluten-free. Additionally, they can easily be dressed up to suit different tastes. Some people like to dip the bottoms of the macaroons in melted chocolate for an added layer of richness, while others prefer to drizzle chocolate over the top. For a tropical twist, adding a bit of lime zest or a splash of rum can give the macaroons an extra burst of flavor that complements the coconut perfectly.
These little coconut macaroons are ideal for gifting, serving at a party, or simply enjoying as a sweet treat with a cup of coffee or tea. They’re light yet satisfyingly sweet, making them the perfect indulgence when you’re craving something coconutty and delicious. Whether enjoyed fresh out of the oven or stored in an airtight container for later, coconut macaroons are a timeless dessert that never goes out of style.
Ingredients
- 2 cups sweetened shredded coconut loosely packed
- 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract pure
- 2 large egg whites room temperature
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, mix together the shredded coconut, sweetened condensed milk, and vanilla extract until fully combined.
- In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites and salt with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form.
- Gently fold the beaten egg whites into the coconut mixture using a spatula.
- Scoop tablespoon-sized mounds of the batter onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until the macaroons are golden brown around the edges.
- Remove from the oven and let cool completely on the baking sheet before serving or storing.
These macaroons are sooo good! I can’t believe how easy they were to make. My kids loved them!
I’m so glad your kids loved them! They really are super easy to make. I shared this recipe with my friends too.
I dunno, mine burned a bit. Maybe my oven is too hot?
These taste like heaven! I could eat the entire batch! Going to share with my neighbors.
Thanks for sharing! I can’t wait to try this recipe too. They sound delicious!
These remind me of my childhood. They are perfect and quick! 😍
Yummy! Added some chocolate chips, divine!
So sweet, my teeth hurt just thinking about it. 😅
Haha, I know right! They are super sweet! I like them that way but maybe just a little less sugar next time 😅
Too much sweetness can be a killer! Maybe try cutting down on the condensed milk? Just a thought.
These are the best macaroons I’ve ever made! So chewy and delicious.
Macaroons are life!!!
Wait, aren’t macaroons the ones with almond? 🤔
These are so easy to make and turned out perfect! Loved the sweetness.
I love coconut macaroons! They are so tasty and easy to make. Your recipe is a winner!
Did you know macaroons are actually different from macarons? People always confuse them. Anyway, these were good!
I think my oven is broken. They came out very weird…
What’s a macaroon? I thought this was gonna be a savory dish lol.
These macaroons are soooo good! I can’t believe how easy they were to make. My kids devoured them!
These came out perfectly golden on the edges! I folded the egg whites carefully and they held their shape. Will definitely make again.
I messed up the egg whites, they didn’t get fluffy. Fail!
I followed the recipe exactly but they came out too dry. Maybe add more milk?
I agree, they can be quite dry sometimes! Adding a bit more milk could help. Just a tad, don’t go overboard!
Dry? Mine came out perfect. Maybe you didn’t mix it well enough? Follow the steps!
I loved making these with my grandma, brought back memories.
I don’t get why these are so popular. They were kinda bland…
I actually love these! They have a nice sweetness if you make them right. Maybe you just didn’t leave them in long enough?
Easy recipe but mine burned on the bottom. Oops!
I’m not a chef but these were super easy to make! Yay!
These macaroons are heavenly! So easy to make and delicious. Will definitely make again!
Is it just me or did I miss the step where you bake them? Not clear at all.
Wait, do you use fresh coconut or the shredded stuff?
I don’t get how they can be so gooey and hard at the same time… can someone explain that to me?
Coconuts are weird. I didn’t like them at all.
Dis ain’t what I wanted, but a bit chewy, so thumbs up for that.
Simple and quick recipe! My kids loved them. Will make again for sure.
I followed this exactly and they came out perfect. Don’t know what others did wrong!
Yum! But I subbed the egg whites for aquafaba and they still tasted great!
Wow, easy and delicious! 😋
Should I be using unsweetened coconut? The sweetened one seems too much.
Coconut + egg whites feels kinda too simple? I tried it anyway and got good macaroons, but the texture was more chewy than crunchy.
It *does* feel simple, but that’s kind of the point—simple ingredients can still make a great chew. If yours were chewy instead of crunchy, it might just be baking time/heat or not enough browning on the edges. Next time try 2–4 minutes longer until they’re deeper golden.
Chewy vs crunchy usually means they didn’t dry out enough. Did you use sweetened shredded coconut (not flaked unsweetened)? Also, letting them cool fully on the tray matters—if you pull them too soon they stay soft.
I was nervous about 18-20 minutes, but it worked. Mine were a little too sweet though—next time I’ll reduce the condensed milk if possible.
Umm… I thought this was a savory dish. Now I’m confused. Can someone clarify?
Yum! I added a pinch of cinnamon and it was amazing!
These macaroons were a hit with my family! So easy to make.
I tried this recipe but my egg whites wouldn’t whip. What’s wrong? I gave up and just ate the coconut mixture.
It’s frustrating when that happens! Make sure your bowl and beaters are super clean and dry—that can make a big difference. Have you tried letting the egg whites sit out a bit before whipping?
I dunno, egg whites are tricky sometimes! Maybe they were too cold? I usually throw in a pinch of cream of tartar, seems to help! Anyway, the coconut mix must’ve been tasty!
I don’t get why everyone’s so obsessed with these!? They taste okay but not great.
Can’t believe how simple these were. I mean, my 10 year old helped! A+
Not gonna lie, mine spread a bit and looked flatter than the picture. Still tasty, but I think I overmixed after folding.
I added some chocolate chips to mine. Turned out fab! 🍫😋
I followed the recipe step by step but it didn’t work for me. They turned out all flat 😩. Any tips?
I’m sorry to hear that! Make sure your egg whites are really stiff before folding them in. That helps with the height! Good luck next time! 😊
These macaroons are amazing! So chewy and sweet. I’ll make them again for sure!
I totally agree! These macaroons are a hit at my house too! Can’t get enough of that chewy goodness.
I followed everything but the batter felt kinda thick and didn’t look like it would fold well. I ended up being a little rough with the folding—still edible, just not as light. Could use more structure?
Honestly, I thought this was a coconut flop. My mix was too gooey and didn’t hold!
Not bad at all! I think my oven runs a little hot though, because mine browned at like 15 minutes. Next time I’ll start checking earlier. Texture was great either way.
Super yum!!! My kids loved them. Easy snack for school lunches. Thanks!
Coconut macaroons are the best, but I add chocolate chips for a twist! Yum!
I think they are too sweet. Maybe cut down the condensed milk next time.
I’m not a baker, but these seemed easy! I might give it a try, but who knows…
Wow, who knew it was so easy? I had some in the freezer and just used it up. Yum!
I followed the steps exactly and still my oven burned the bottoms at 325°F—maybe my thermometer is off. Any tips for preventing that?
I don’t get the hype. They turned out too sweet for my taste. 🤷♂️
I was skeptical about using egg whites, but they really do make a difference! Who knew?
Skeptical? About egg whites? I thought this was just a basic recipe. But hey, if it works for you then great!
I’m glad you liked the egg whites! They really can elevate a recipe. I’ve used them in different desserts too.
Isn’t that just a pile of coconut? Not sure about this one, I think I’ll stick to real cookies.
I don’t get why people call them cookies when they are like, just coconut blobs. But hey, different strokes for different folks, I guess.
Coconut macaroons are great! They might not be ‘real’ cookies to you, but I love them. Just give them a try, you’ll see they’re chewy and delicious!
Wasn’t a fan. They’re kinda sticky and messy. I prefer chocolate ones.
kinda dry 😕 i think i overbaked. flavor is good though.
I’m skeptical—egg whites + condensed milk sounds like it’ll either be amazing or a sticky disaster. Mine were sticky for sure, and the bottoms stuck to the parchment even though I used it.
Yummy!
Totally agree! These are the best. I can eat a whole batch in one sitting!
Tasty, but the recipe needs better instructions! My mix was all over the place.
Yuck! WAY too sweet for me. I couldn’t even finish one.
Like the recipe! Super easy to follow, but I added chocolate chips. Nom nom!
I don’t know man, coconut macaroons with chocolate chips? Seems a bit weird to me. They should be classic, right?
Chocolate chips? That’s an interesting twist! I’ll have to try that next time. Glad you enjoyed it!
These are the best macaroons I’ve ever made! So easy and delicious!
Coconut is not my thing. Shoulda known I wouldn’t like these. 😒
My grandma used to make these every Easter. Brought back so many memories! Thanks for the recipe!
I messed up and used 1 cup of egg whites instead of 2 eggs. Still came out good tho.
Don’t know what went wrong. They flattened out instead of staying like mounds. Disappointed.
Coconut macaroons are my weakness! This recipe was perfect. Love the hint of vanilla!
I totally agree! These macaroons are the best! I tried adding almond extract instead of vanilla and they turned out great too!
So disapointing. I expected more. Just coconut and milk really? Need more flavor!!
Impressive! They got golden brown just like in the pictures. I’m feeling like a pro chef now.
Made these for my kid’s school event, and they were a huge hit! Thanks for the recipe!
So glad to hear that! They’re my go-to for school events too!
Did you really use all those ingredients? Seems kinda simple for a hit, lol.
Why do they call them macaroons anyways? They ain’t like the French ones at all! 🤨
I love these macaroons! Super easy to make and so delicious! They disappeared in no time.
I totally agree! These macaroons are the best. Just made a batch and they were gone in a flash! 😍
Not my cup of tea. Seems more like a waste of coconut.
Delicious! Just like the ones my grandma used to make! Yummy!!
I agree! These remind me of childhood too! Nothing beats grandma’s recipes! 🍪
I didn’t have egg whites, so I used a whole egg. Is that why they didn’t rise?
Yes, using a whole egg can definitely affect the texture. Egg whites help create that fluffy texture. Better luck next time!
These came out golden and chewy—exactly what I wanted from coconut macaroons. I used room-temp whites like the recipe says and they whipped up fine. Sweet, but the vanilla helps.