National Macaroon Day!

Today, May 31st, is National Macaroon Day. I know what you are all probably thinking, "oh yeah, those little sandwich cookies that look like a Spongebob Squarepants pretty patty! I'm talking about the picture on the left.  This is actually a macaron.  1 "o"is the picture to my right.

National Macaroon Day is all about the coconut macaroon!

This is a beautiful prime example of a real coconut macaroon.  It is true that both macaroons are made from a type of almond flour mixed together with sugar and egg whites mixed in with it.  As you can see the coconut macaroon is much easier to make than a traditional macaroon.

Culinary historians claim that macaroons can be traced to an Italian monastery of the 9th century.
Two benedictine nuns in France paid for housing during the French Revolution by selling macaroons and they became known as the "Macaroon Sisters".

I have honestly never made a traditional coconut macaroon but this recipe looks really good and I think I might try it this weekend! Be sure to come back tomorrow as we start our first FULL MONTH of National Food Holidays!

COCONUT MACAROONS

INGREDIENTS:

4 egg whites

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup white sugar

3 cups flaked coconut

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Spray two baking sheets with cooking spray. In your mixer beat egg whites, vanilla and salt until soft peaks form, about 3 minutes. Add sugar and beat another 2 minutes or until stiff peaks form. Gently fold in coconut.

Using a tablespoon or small ice cream scoop drop on a baking sheet. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Remove to a rack and allow to cool.