I baked: Coconut macaroons

Coconut macaroons, not to be confused with French macarons, is a baked confectionery made with dessicated coconut with a crisp exterior and moist, chewy centre . Unlike macarons, macaroons are very easy to make and requires very little skill.

There are two ways to make coconut macaroons; this one which I have adopted is considered the easy way, whereby sweetened condensed milk is used. There is a more complex method using egg whites, which apparently yields softer and more luxurious macaroons. That will be my next project.

I was very pleased with the result; the macaroons turned out looking really nice. Most recipes would instruct you to use a spoon and drop heaped tablespoonfuls of mixture on the baking sheet, but we shaped ours into small balls. It's more work of course, but don't you think they're fit to be served as petit fours now?

I find that the coconut macaroons taste better the following day, when the macaroons have absorbed some moisture from the surroundings and become a little softer. These little morsels were pretty addictive. We found ourselves popping one into our mouth everytime we walked past the kitchen. Very soon they were all gone.

Golden exterior with a chewy, snowy white interior

Coconut macaroons

Preparation time: 20 - 25 minutes

Cooking time: 18- 20 minutes

Makes 70

Ingredients

45g plain flour

1/8 tsp salt

200g dessicated coconut

250ml sweetened condensed milk

1 tsp vanilla essence

1. Preheat oven to 180°C. Grease 2 baking sheets.

2. Sift the flour and salt into a large bowl. Stir in the coconut.

3. Pour in the milk. Add the vanilla and stir from the centre to make a very thick mixture.

4. Shape into small balls and place 1 inch (2.5cm) apart on the sheets.

5. Bake for 18-20 minutes, until golden brown. Cool on a rack.

If you like coconut, you will love these.

The wheels on the train go round and round
round and round, round and round
The wheels on the train go round and round
All through MacaroonVille.
(adapted from one of Baby C's favorite rhymes)