Decadent Joy Macaroons

Chocolate, and Almonds, and Coconut - OH MY!

Everyone has their favorite candy that they can’t refuse. Some people love the simplicity of pure milk chocolate. Others love to add nuts, whether its peanuts, almonds, or cashews. Many of my friends adore the combination of caramel, nougat, and dark chocolate. And if you don’t like chocolate (it could happen), there are plenty of delicious treats that only embrace nuts or coconut, mixed with honey or cream. My all-time go to candy bar is one that is filled with a crunchy buttery toffee and then coated with silky smooth  milk chocolate.

When I want a decadent treat, however, that combines everything soft, sweet, chewy, and nutty all at the same time I opt for the ultimate candy. It has the scrumptious-ness of sweetened coconut, the saltiness of a roasted almonds, and the delectable coating of semi sweet chocolate to hold all that goodness inside. I don’t think I need to disclose its candy bar name, but if you can’t figure it out, there's a clue in the picture at the end of  the article.

These three elements of chocolate, almonds, and coconut are the crux of many delicious desserts. Many people enjoy each flavor individually, and even more love the combination of two. I can’t deny a croissant that oozes of warm chocolate or gooey almond filling, nor will I refuse any dessert that sports toasted coconut drizzled with  chocolate or sprinkled with almonds.

Imagine the taste bud surprise I encountered when I first sampled this  macaroon that encompassed all the great flavors of chocolate, almonds, and coconut in one single bite. All my favorite ingredients were combined into one cookie!  I loved the fact that almonds were in every bite, instead of just two or three.
This baked goody definitely lived up to the reputation of its counterpart candy bar name. My mouth was filled with joy!

If you enjoy a luscious coconut macaroon filled with bits of rich chocolate, and lightly salted slivers of almonds, this is your kind of cookie. It is rich, decadent, and extremely filling. And although the recipe may be slightly messy or sticky, the final cookie is well worth it.

Decadent Joy Macaroons

Ingredients: 

2 - 7 oz bags sweetened shredded coconut
1 - 12 oz bag semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup chopped/slivered almonds
1 - 14 oz can fat free sweetened condensed milk
1 TBL coconut extract
1 TBL almond extract


Instructions:

Preheat oven to 325 F.

Grease large baking sheet with non-stick spray, or line sheet with parchment paper.
(Do not try substituting parchment paper with waxed paper. They are not the same, nor do they work the same. Wax paper will stick to your cookies! Trust me!!)

In a large bowl, stir together coconut, chocolate chips, and almonds. Add  sweetened condensed milk, and your extracts. Combine thoroughly.

Using a tablespoon, dollop out mixture onto the prepared baking sheet.

For a nice round cookie shape, moisten fingers, then shape into mounded cookie forms, patting the tops down slightly. (For a fun treat, shape into slightly elongated lines to look more like a candy bar.)

Place cookie sheet in oven and bake cookies for approximately 13 to 15 minutes, depending on your oven. Cookies are done when the coconut edges begin turning a nice golden color.

Let cool on baking sheet for 2 minutes. Then transfer to plate or wire rack. Do not let cookies sit on baking sheet too long or they may stick.

Enjoy with a cup of tea or your favorite beverage!

Recipe makes approximately 36 to 40 cookies, depending on size.

(Have you figured out what candy bar these resemble? The clue is in the name of the cookie!)