Chocolate Kissed Coconut Macaroons

Course Cookies, Dessert

Cuisine American, Southern

Keyword chocolate-kissed-coconut-macaroons, coconut-macaroon-blossoms

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 18

Total Time 28

Servings servings

Calories 161kcal

Author Melissa Sperka

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line 2 large cookie sheets with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper.
In a large bowl, use an electric mixer on medium-high speed to beat the egg white for 2-3 minutes or until it's frothy and expanded in volume.
In a separate medium bowl, stir together the coconut, flour and salt.
To the dry ingredients add the sweetened condensed milk, beaten egg white and vanilla extract. Mix to combine. The dough will be stiff.
Use a 1 1/2-2 tablespoon cookie or ice cream scoop to divide the cookie dough placing 2-inches apart on the prepared pan. Bake for 16-18 minutes or until lightly golden brown.
Remove from the oven and let stand on the cookie sheet for 1-2 minutes then gently press a candy kiss into the center of each cookie.
Remove immediately to a wire rack to cool completely.

Coconut - Sweetened flaked coconut is just as the name implies. It's dried coconut that has already been sweetened. Raw coconut or unsweetened frozen coconut won't work for this recipe.
Use a Scoop to Divide Evenly - It's important to divide the cookie dough evenly for uniform baking.
Chocolate Kisses - You can have fun with these cookie blossoms using different Hershey kisses flavors. Cherry cordial, hot cocoa, molten or caramel swirled kisses all would be tasty! You could also use heart shaped chocolate kisses for Valentine's day.
Vanilla Extract - You can add a small amount of almond extract in addition to the vanilla to change the flavor profile ever so slightly.
Remove to a Wire Rack - Give the cookies only about 1-2 minutes on the pan, then gently push the chocolate kiss into the centers. Once the kisses are added, remove to a cooling rack immediately to cool completely. This will help prevent the kisses from melting completely.
Handle the Kisses Carefully - Once the chocolate kisses are unwrapped, if you handle them too much you'll get finger prints on them. You can use gloves, if desired.
Texture - These cookies will have a crunchy texture on the exterior on the first day of baking. After that the coconut will soften slightly, it's just a natural part of the process.