Easy Chocolate Coconut Macaroons takes the best coconut macaroon recipe and brings it to an insanely more delicious level! A chewy coconut cherry exterior wraps around a fudgy chocolate center and is drizzled with more chocolate.

I’m like the Goldilocks of macaroon cookies and I’ve been on the search for the perfect Chocolate Coconut Macaroon.

Every recipe I tried didn’t hit the mark. Too sweet. Too dry. Missing chocolate. Missing something.

With all the macaroon recipes out there, why does the quintessential Chocolate Coconut Macaroon fail to exist? Something had to be done about it.

What Makes this Chocolate Coconut Macaroon Recipe the Best?

There are more ways than one to skin a cat (totally gross expression 🥴), and more ways than one to make coconut macaroons.

First, sweetened condensed milk is mixed with egg whites and coconut. Although this is a quick, easy recipe, I find the end result too syrupy and sweet.

Alternatively, sugar replaces the sweetened condensed milk and is mixed with egg whites and coconut. This tames the sweet factor, but the dough is hard to work with and doesn’t hold together.

Chocolate Coconut Macaroons adds a couple tablespoons of flour, which gives the cookie more structure. Although this eliminates it from being naturally gluten free cookie, using a gluten free flour blend achieves flawless results.

Found the Perfect Recipe, Now Make Them Better

For holidays growing up, my mom always added chopped cherries to her coconut macaroons. I love the extra dimension of flavor and the added color makes them prettier for Valentine’s Day, Easter, or Christmas holidays.

Generally I feel any dessert can be made better with chocolate (or even more chocolate). Since chocolate and coconut are magic together (HELLO, Almond Joy Cake), why not add a fudgy chocolate center AND drizzle more chocolate on top?!

Now we’re talkin’.

HOW TO MAKE CHOCOLATE COCONUT MACAROONS

The fudge filling for these Chocolate Coconut Macaroons makes more than you need for this recipe. Therefore, I posted Easy Nutella Cookies to use the remaining fudge in.

Now you can get a great start on your holiday baking with two cookie recipes!

1. Prepare two-ingredient fudge and refrigerate for a couple hours to set.
2. Use half of the fudge (see recipe card for suggested uses of leftover fudge or use in Easy Nutella Cookies) and cut into small squares. Shape squares into ball shape.
3. Mix together coconut, sugar, salt, and flour.
4. Beat egg whites until frothy with a fork. Add to coconut mixture with chopped cherries. Stir to combine.
5. Place a heaping tablespoon over fudge ball and use fingers to cover and shape around.

SAVE THESE CHOCOLATE COCONUT MACAROONS TO YOUR PINTEREST BOARD!

And let’s be friends on PINTEREST or INSTAGRAM! I’m always sharing great recipes!

4.6 from 10 votes

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Chocolate Coconut Macaroons

Prep Time

4 hrs

Cook Time

30 mins

Total Time

4 hrs 30 mins

 

Easy Chocolate Coconut Macaroons has a chewy, coconut cherry exterior wrapped around a fudgy chocolate center and drizzled with more chocolate. 

Course: cookie, gluten free cookie, gluten free dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: cherry, chocolate, coconut, macaroons

Servings: 24

Calories: 113 kcal

Ingredients

Easy Fudge:

• 14 oz sweetened condensed milk
• 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Cherry Coconut Macaroons:

• 2 2/3 cups sweetened shredded coconut
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, or all-purpose gluten free (I used Cup 4 Cup's all-purpose gluten free flour)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 egg whites, lightly beaten with fork until frothy
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 10 ounce jar maraschino cherries, drained and chopped

Chocolate Glaze (optional):

• 1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 teaspoon vegetable oil

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Easy Fudge:

1. Line a 8X8 pan with foil and spray foil with cooking spray. Set aside. 
   

2. Place sweetened condensed milk and chocolate chips in a saucepan. Heat over medium low until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth. Pour into prepared pan and let set for at least 2 hours in refrigerator. Can store cooled fudge covered in fridge until ready to use. 

Cherry Coconut Macaroons:

1. Preheat oven to 325ºF. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Take half of the prepared fudge (You will have fudge leftover. See Recipe Notes for leftover ideas.) and cut into 24 1" squares. Shape each square into a ball shape. Place fudge balls on the prepared baking sheets, placing about 2 inches apart. Push down slightly on the ball so it has a flat bottom and doesn't roll around. Set aside. 

2. In a bowl combine the coconut, sugar, flour or gluten free flour, and salt. Add the egg whites, vanilla extract, and chopped cherries. Stir to combine. 

3. Scoop a heaping tablespoon of cherry coconut macaroon mixture and place on top of each fudge ball. Shape macaroon dough to cover the fudge. (Don't worry about bottom, just get the macaroon dough to mound over top and sides of fudge ball.)

4. Bake for 25-30 minutes, rotating pans halfway. Cookies are done with coconut starts to brown and toast. Cool on baking sheets for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely. 

Chocolate Glaze (optional):

1. Place chocolate chips and vegetable oil in a small microwave safe bowl. Heat on high until chocolate is melted and smooth, about 1 minute. Drizzle over baked cookies. Let chocolate set (can refrigerate to speed up process) before stacking and storing cookies.

❉DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE? DON'T FORGET TO GIVE IT A STAR RATING AND COMMENT BELOW!❉

Recipe Notes

Leftover fudge can be sliced and enjoyed as is, frozen for future use in cookies, or stuffed inside Easy Nutella Cookies.

Cooled cookies can be frozen up to 6 weeks in an airtight container or in gallon freezer bags in a single layer. 

Recipe adapted from Taste of Home

Nutrition Facts

Chocolate Coconut Macaroons

Amount Per Serving

Calories 113 Calories from Fat 36

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 4g 6%

Saturated Fat 3g 15%

Cholesterol 1mg 0%

Sodium 52mg 2%

Potassium 63mg 2%

Total Carbohydrates 18g 6%

Sugars 16g

Protein 1g 2%

Vitamin A 0.3%

Vitamin C 0.2%

Calcium 2.1%

Iron 2.2%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

OTHER RECIPES TO LOVE:

Almond Cookies

Easy Nutella Cookies

Soft Cut-Out Sugar Cookies

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