Here in DC there is a bakery, Firehook, that sells awesome macaroons. Well, if you want to start a bakery in the Washington, DC area, this recipe from Sweet Melissa is the place to start because you really could compete with Firehook with these cookies. You can find the recipe at Blue Tree Green Heart. Thanks Ellen!
I did change the recipe and method a little bit.
First, I used the new chocolate chunks from Williams-Sonoma just because they were in my pantry and it was easier than chopping chocolate. I also added about 3 Tablespoons agave nectar to the batter; some bakers mentioned the macaroons were dry and I assumed the nectar would help keep the cookies moist.
The batter is super easy to mix. Add the orange zest to the coconut, add sugar and blend with your hands. Add the egg whites and continue to blend with your hands. then add the chocolate.
Using a medium ice cream scoop, place the batter on silpat lined cookie sheets. I had exactly 24 cookies, 12 per cookie sheet.
Now, bake for 25 to 30 minutes at 325 degrees. When they come out of the oven, let the cookies cool on the silpat. They will firm up and develop crisp edges.
YUM!!
Once the cookies are completely cool you can serve them! I really liked the big chunks of chocolate in the cookies.
I will let you know if they freeze well. I absolutely need to banish these from my sight or I will devour them all. To the freezer right now! Or, I’ll take them to work!
mmmmm… They look delish
By: jenny on June 16, 2010
at 1:35 am
I often take my goodies into work too. Luckily my little brother and his roomies claimed these as they were very good. Yours look great!
By: Tessa on June 15, 2010
at 2:18 am
I froze mine as well. I like the idea of agave nectar addition, as I’m sure it helped with ball formation.
I’m in the DC area in July and will have to check out Firehook.
By: rebecca on June 14, 2010
at 1:16 pm
Yum!!! Yours look good! I ended up taking a bunch to work, too. I would have eaten the whole batch otherwise!
By: Mara on June 14, 2010
at 3:53 am
Great changes – sounds like they worked out well for you! Your macaroons are lovely
I always work under the assumption that most everything freezes well, until I discover otherwise.
By: Tracey on June 14, 2010
at 2:50 am
Your macaroons look wonderful! I took mine to work. Even had a couple of requests for the recipe!
By: Julie on June 14, 2010
at 2:25 am
great to hear from you! I have been following weight watchers very carefully and baking very little. But these sounded too good to ignore. And I was very happy with the results. I also made the pistachio cookies and although they tasted fine, they were really ugly! Hope all is well with you, Cheers, Patty
By: Patty on June 14, 2010
at 2:36 am
Your cookies look very tasty! I love a cookie with a little bit of color and crisp on the bottom. I would have like slightly large pieces of chocolate in my cookie.
By: Gloria on June 14, 2010
at 2:20 am
I envy you your freezer being filled with such treats. A frozen macaroon or two in the afternoon might help make a hot summer day more survivable.
By: laura on June 14, 2010
at 2:16 am
Hopefully I won’t eat them all in one afternoon!
By: Patty Campbell on June 14, 2010
at 2:29 am
They look great! Good way to spend an afternoon!
By: Trudy on June 14, 2010
at 2:01 am
Its time for Tom to come home – too much baking and I’ll be in trouble at WW!
By: Patty Campbell on June 14, 2010
at 2:30 am