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Ambrosia Macaroons

4.8

(120)

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Ambrosia MacaroonsHans Gissinger

We southerners love ambrosia, a mélange of sliced juicy-sweet oranges and grated coconut. The sweet salad has been a part of southern Christmas traditions for the better part of two centuries, and I thought it would be fun to use the coconut-orange combo in a new way. I added some finely grated orange peel to classic coconut macaroons, then drizzled the cookies with bittersweet chocolate for a festive finish.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Makes about 45

Ingredients

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
3/4 cup sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons finely grated orange peel
3 large eggs
24 ounces sweetened flaked coconut (about 6 cups firmly packed)
6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, melted

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Position rack in center of oven; preheat to 325°F. Line 3 large rimmed baking sheets with parchment. Using electric mixer, beat butter in large bowl until smooth. Add sugar and salt; beat until blended. Beat in orange peel, then eggs, 1 at a time. Mix in coconut. Drop batter onto sheets by tablespoonfuls, spacing 1 1/2 inches apart.

    Step 2

    Bake macaroons, 1 sheet at a time, until golden on bottom and browned in spots, 25 to 30 minutes. Cool completely on sheets.

    Step 3

    Using fork, drizzle chocolate over macaroons. Chill on sheets until chocolate is firm, about 30 minutes.

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