Macaroons

Macaroons are small, chewy cookies made primarily from shredded coconut, egg whites and sugar. Originating as a Passover treat in Jewish communities—since they contain no flour or leavening agents—they’re bound together by whipped egg whites that give them a light, marshmallow-like interior and a slightly crisp exterior. Some recipes fold in sweetened condensed milk for extra moisture, and many people like to dip the bottoms in melted chocolate once they’ve cooled. Unlike the delicate, sandwich-style French “macaron,” coconut macaroons are rustic, naturally gluten-free bites you can whip up in under 30 minutes and customize with nuts, dried fruit or flavor extracts.