DARK CHOCOLATE DIPPED MACAROONS
Thursday, June 10, 2010 at 9:31AM 
This will be one of many attempts to perfect the macaroon. Hugh was in San Francisco last weekend, and brought home a bag of macaroons from Bi-Rite Market. He said they were a "gift for me", and proceeded to eat all but one and a half of them. The cookie (if it can be called a cookie?) is typically composed of coconut, egg whites, sugar and vanilla, and you will find recipes made of differing proportions of the former, plus or minus an ingredient or two. I've had ones made with sweetened condensed milk, and do like the moisture it contributes, but it makes the lighter treat, a tad too heavy. Though it does sound like a lot of sugar, we didn't find this version to be overly sweet at all. If you scale it back too much, it taste like a coconut omelette. Coconut is wonderful, but the contrast of the dark chocolate makes these babies exceptional.
We leave for Scotland this afternoon, yay! Hugh was commissioned to shoot a wedding over there, and myself commissioned to come along for the adventure. My suitcase is bulging and my backpack is stocked with snacks. We will be gone for awhile, so please excuse a bit of a hiatus here (we'll try to post pictures if the opportunity presents itself). I am SO excited to get on a plane and go on an adventure; especially with my favorite person. A collaboration of few bustling cities, taking the train through rolling green hills and making friends with people in kilts. They'll want to be my friend because I have a backpack full of goodies.
DARK CHOCOLATE DIPPED MACAROONS// Makes two dozen
I encourage you to experiment with natural sweeteners here, as I think it would only slightly change the flavor. You can find natural sweeteners at natural foods stores or on Amazon. Evaporated palm sugar is a great alternative, or you could use regular granulated sugar if you prefer
3 Egg Whites
1 Cup Organic Sucanat (Whole Cane Sugar)
3 Tbsp. Honey
2 tsp. Real Vanilla Extract
1/2 tsp. Salt
2 3/4 Cups Unsweetened Coconut
1/4 Cup Whole Wheat Pastry Flour/Brown Rice Flour*
12 oz. SemiSweet/Dark Good Quality Chocolate Chips
Heat oven to 375'
1. Beat the egg whites with a whisk until they are loose and frothy. Add the salt, vanilla, sugar, honey and combine. Add the coconut and stir. See starred note for consistency advice.
2. Using a small spoon, dollop about 2 Tbsp. of the mix, two inches apart on a cookie sheet lined with either parchment paper or a silpat.
3. Bake in the oven for 14-16 minutes on the middle rack. Remove and cool completely. While the macaroons are cooling, heat the chocolate chips over a double broiler, or glass bowl over simmering water. Be sure to not let the glass touch the water to avoid scorching. Continue to stir until chocolate is melted.
4. Lay out a new piece of parchment paper. Take a cooled macaroon, and generously dip half into the melted chocolate. Lay on the parchment for chocolate to harden. This time could be expedited in the fridge or freezer.
* The consistency of the mix will vary depending on the size of your egg whites and also how your coconut is shredded. When the mix sits in the bowl, you don't want it to be weeping any liquid, it should hold itself together while still being moist. If anything is puddling at the bottom, add a bit of flour or GF flour to help dry things up. Add little by little, you may not need all of it. I needed to use the flour, as my eggs were large. Use your discretion and look for consistency before sticking to the measurements.
Reader Comments (50)
I love chocolate dipped macaroons. They are truly one of my favorite desserts!
Wow, your macaroon looks beautiful! Your recipe makes them sound really easy to make, too -- I had no idea the process was so simple.
Looks so delicious! A perfect snack for a sweet tooth. Have a glorious trip!
That looks divine! Everyone makes such a fuss about almond macaroons AND the French macarons, but I for one love the texture of a coconut macaroon. Can't wait to try them.
(I'm writing a blog post right now about discovering your lovely blog...and I'm going to make your Veggie La Crunch tomorrow. Check in with it in a couple days.)
Just...amazin' ...I'm speechless, realy
thank you...mmmmm...
Trust me, they'll be your friend because, well, you're just awesome.
These look insane. Definitely going to try.
Have a great trip! Can't wait to get the deets:)
Sara! These look awesome! My husbands favorite so I can't wait to make these. Have a great trip!!! Can't wait to see pics!!
Gosh this looks so delicious. I haven't had macaroons in the longest time! And dipped in chocolate is just so good. Reminds me of a bounty bar!
yum - i love macaroons! i usually make them simple - coconut and chocolate-dipped. perfect :)
enjoy scotland!
I love Bi-Rite's macaroons! (Tartine's, a half-block away, are also amazing - next time!) That's some gorgeous trouble right there.
These look amazing. I've never seen such a healthy recipe, and I'm always looking for ways to eat dark chocolate. I hope you have a wonderful trip! xxSAS
yesssss! i loooove a coconut macaroon! so so good. can't wait to try your recipe...bon voyage, hope you have a magical trip!
xo, anne
Oh yum!
These sound and look amazing, and so unique. I am so jealus you're going to Scottland! Have fun!
I hope your photo shoot in Scotland goes well!
It sounds like Hugh is a big macaroon fan. These chocolate covered ones look terrific!
What a fantastic wedding to be commissioned to shoot! You'll both come back with some amazing photos! Please let me know what they wear under those kilts when you get back :-)
In our Italian upbringing...the girls were told that the best way to a man's heart was through his stomach. I'm grateful to have talents in the kitchen...however, even more grateful that Hubby fell for something else too ;o)
I love your macaroons...especially dipping them in smooth chocolate joy.
It was nice discovering your food journal...even nicer that your love is by your side in your journey.
Flavourful wishes, Claudia
I love, love, love macaroons! I was just telling my husband that I was going to find a recipe and make them, and then this post came zooming in! Yippee! Have a blast on your adventure!
I'm jealous of your Scottland adventure!! have a great trip!
Hmm, you know my husband always feigns ignorance when he eats all but one of something. He looks at me all surprised and asks, "You didn't get any? I thought you did!"
That is super awesome about the Scotland trip. How exciting!
omg. this looks ammmmazing.
[...] Dark Chocolate Dipped Macarons – I’ve never actually made macarons and looking at this post, I’m not sure why. They don’t appear to be that difficult and man do they look good. I don’t even have a sweet tooth, but I want a few of these! (@ Sprouted Kitchen) [...]
Yumm I am such a fan of macaroons! Can't wait to try out this recipe!
these look divine-love your guys photography, as always!
Hi Sara! We just got two enormous chocolate dipped macaroons in our organic box today. I'm not sure if I can wait for David to come home from work before I dig in on them, so I absolutely understand Hugh.
Hope you guys have lots of fun in Scotland!
You got me for a second: reading at your post, I thought "strange, I've never seen macarons made like this". And indeed, you were talking about macaroons with two 'o'! :D
In France, we call them "congolais" (yes, like the inhabitants of Congo).
Have a great trip to Scotland with Hugh! My girlfriend and I would love to go there too.
i love coconut macarons, yours look delicious! have fun in scotland!
I don't even like macarons, but those look yummy.
Your blog is super. So are your photographies. They make me hungry. I have spent a nice moment when seeing them. Thanks a lot.
Looks like you mastered the macaroon! Enjoy your trip to Scotland.
btw, I cam over from reading Barbara's recommendation to visit. I am glad I did.
I love macaroons! I've made them before with chocolate chips, but never dipped in chcolate like this. But they look so yummy I might have to find an excuse to make macaroons soon!
DELISH!
Yum! Have a wonderful trip. Can't wait to see some photos.
a childhood fave of mine! if you toast the coconut first just a tad it gives macaroons a TOTALLY different vibe...
have a lovely trip!
Coconut and chocolate are such a heavenly combination. We were in SF over Memorial day and I regret not waiting in the line for Bi-Rite creamery. We gave up too soon...
Yum! I don't know what is more delectable, the macaroons or the pictures!
[...] blogroll category: foodie blog name/url: sprouted kitchen blogger: sara post i loved: DARK CHOCOLATE DIPPED MACAROONS [...]
Barbara recommended your blog and she is so right. It is great.
I love the macaroons, might be, because they are dipped in chocolate.
Barbara recommended your site and I am glad she did. I like it and have to spend some time, searching it.
I love the chocolate added to the macaroons. Great choice.
just caught up with this post! I hope you are having a wonderful trip! I just sent you a really looong email :) have fun
This looks so good! I love almond macarons, I think they are the best kind there is.
Magda
i have the fondest memories of my sister and i making macaroons.
seriously, they are a bite of heaven.
pve
This is the first time I've visited your blog and I love it. All of your recipes look incredibly delicious! I'll definitely be visiting often.
These look delicious! Oh yum!
I stumbled onto your beautiful site today... you've probably heard this a million times but I love your recipes and photography. So much to look at and take in. Thank you for all you do :)
these are delicious!! Have you ever tried the flavored ones also? Pina Colado and exotic mango? Pina Colado is probably the best if you want an extra flair, but I am one who appreciates the originals first! ;) this looks great!
I just recently made macaroons for the first time & posted about them on my blog. My recipe was a lot simpler, because I just got it off the back of a shredded coconut bag. It was also the first time I'd ever eaten a macaroon, and I'm interested in how these will taste different. Definitely going to try these sometime!
Thank you so much for this treat. My wife and I just made them tonight and between us and our daughter... they're gone :-)
Thank you for the recipe! I made these today. They are perfect for a lazy snow day. I posted my results here, if you'd like to take a look: http://cookieandkate.com/2011/healthy-macaroon-recipe/. Yum!
[...] Recipe adapted from “Dark Chocolate Dipped Macaroons” by of my favorite bloggers, Sprouted Kitchen. [...]
[...] foto e receita daqui. [...]