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    Home • Recipes • Quick Easy Recipes

    Coconut Macaroons (Rochers Coco)

    Published: Oct 31, 2022 · Modified: Sep 1, 2023 by Jill Colonna8 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

    Easy recipe from our local French bakery near Paris for perfect coconut macaroons without condensed milk. Quick to make, reduced in sugar and great for holiday gifts, they are gluten free yet not to be confused with French macarons.

    This is the recipe I've been waiting for. It is so detailed and my macaroons came out so good after previously failed with another recipe. Love it.

    Sasi
    pyramid shaped baked coconut cookie - all bite sized on a decorated plate
    crispy on the outside, perfectly soft in the inside (just like a French macaron - wait, what?)

    What's the Difference Between French Macarons and Coconut Macaroons?

    Coconut macaroons often get confused with French macarons so, as author of two macaron recipe books, this is a question I'm asked all too often!

    • Coconut macaroons are made with egg whites, sugar and coconut.
    • Conversely, French - or Parisian - macarons are made with egg whites, sugar and almond flour/ground almonds.

    I precise 'Parisian' as French macarons have many old-fashioned traditional varieties. The Parisian - or Gerbet variety - has the classic ruffled pied or foot to easily distinguish them from the others.

    The 'o' and the 'oo' often get lost in translation from French to English. Like macarons, these cookies are also gluten free, as there's no wheat flour used.

    However, just to confuse the saga further, since 1996 in Alsace a bakery makes Le Macaron Coco, or Kokosmàkrenele. It's basically a coconut macaroon or rocher coco made with cane sugar and coconut, piped into a star shape but called le Macaron de Riquewihr. They also make the ruffled sandwiched Parisian version, calling them Macarons Fins.

    For much more, see Macarons vs macaroons - what's the difference?

    coconut macaroons next to a Parisian macaron to show the difference
    Coconut macaroon vs French macaron made with ground almonds

    What are Macaroons called in French?

    This is when it gets interesting. Ask for a coconut macaroon in any bakery in France and they'll think you're asking for a Parisian macaron. Just watch the reaction on video below, when I visit a typical French chocolate shop!

    Instead, macaroons are called Rochers Coco (or Rochers à la Noix de Coco) in French.  Previously they were known in France as Congolais, but this is no longer continued or acknowledged for obvious reasons.

    So, why the name, Rochers and why are they mostly in the shape of a pyramid? Rocher means rock in French and their pyramid shape resembles little rocks.

    holding a pyramid shaped cookie next to the Louvre glass pyramid in Paris
    Coconut macaroons in France are 'Rochers Coco', shaped in a pyramid

    Coconut Macaroon Ingredients

    In France, coconut macaroons are made with just 3 basic ingredients:

    • unsweetened shredded or desiccated coconut
    • sugar, and
    • egg whites.

    However, French pastry chefs add a fourth ingredient to keep coconut macaroons moist. By adding a little apple compote (or apricot), the pectin absorbs the moisture from the coconut.

    Likewise, and to make this even easier, I instead use a little runny (Acacia) honey, since it also absorbs moisture in baking.
    (To discover if yours is real honey, try the quick experiment I explain in my recipe for pork in honey sauce.)

    There's no need to add any more ingredients. As coconut is already naturally sweet, there's no sweetened coconut, vanilla, or sweetened condensed milk added. Add a little salt at a pinch (fleur de sel, Maldon or Celtic salt), although it's not even needed.

    The printable recipe below is based on the one in my 2nd book,
    Teatime in Paris: A Walk Through Easy French Pâtisserie Recipes.

    French baker and his wife with pyramid shaped coconut cookies
    Laurent Ehmig and his wife, Hanane show us on video below how to make French Rochers Coco at their boulangerie in Saint-Germain-en-Laye

    How to Make Coconut Macaroons Like the French

    With huge thanks to Laurent Ehmig at the Boulangerie d'Aigle d'Or in Saint-Germain-en-Laye. He took time to explain how he makes his French equivalent, Rochers Coco:

    • He makes the mix a day in advance to allow it to completely absorb the coconut's moisture;
    • First, he measures out the egg whites and sugar in a bowl and whisks them over a double boiler (bain-marie) until 40°C using a candy thermometer. Then mixes in shredded coconut and a little homemade apple compote (or apple sauce) that he makes with honey, not sugar;
    • Instead of rolling in rounds, he leaves them to chill overnight in large sized silicone pyramid moulds;
    • Next day, they're un-moulded, spaced out on a baking tray and baked in a ventilated oven for about 20 minutes, turning them round half way for even toasting.

    Instead, my recipe is a lazy homemade version without the overnight setting time. However, if you have time, leave the mixture to rest longer. Instead of apple compote I use honey, which also absorbs moisture naturally:

    • I mix all the ingredients together in a double boiler for a few minutes until the egg whites are well mixed (coagulated) then leave to cool for a few minutes;
    • Using slightly humid hands, roll them into even rounds. Alternatively, press into silicone moulds (mini pyramids or mini muffin moulds) although this means they need to chill in the fridge for at least 20 minutes to de-mould more easily.
    • As my macaroons are small, I only bake between 10-15 minutes, depending on how toasted golden you prefer them.
    making little cookies in a mould or rolling them to make rounds
    coconut macaroons shaped in rounds using hands or in moulds like the French way
    Either pat into rounds with your hands or shape into moulds
    toasted coconut macaroons with less sugar, shaped in rounds and pyramids

    Are Coconut Macaroons Chewy or Crunchy?

    Like macarons, they are neither chewy or crunchy as such.

    Coconut macaroons have a slightly crispy exterior thanks to the well toasted coconut. We like ours particularly well toasted and shiny golden on the outside. If you prefer yours lighter, then bake for a few minutes less (keep your eye on them in the oven).

    If you keep them for a few days, however, the exterior crispiness gradually disappears but they remain soft inside.

    The inside remains deliciously soft and fondant rather than chewy.

    a bitten coconut macaroons showing soft and light inside and toasted crispy exterior

    Are Coconut Macaroons a Healthy Snack?

    We love this recipe as it's lower in sugar content than many other classic recipes. They're a healthier snack as don't contain sweetened coconut or sweetened condensed milk.

    plate of coconut cookies with tea

    Baking Tips for Coconut Macaroons

    What could possibly go wrong with this easy recipe? Nothing much but here are some troubleshooting tips to help:

    • Why are my macaroons so dry?
      Personally I haven't ever had this problem using this recipe, as there is enough liquid in the mixture. By using honey (or apple compote/sauce), which naturally absorbs moisture in baking, your macaroons will remain moist. Also, don't over- bake. Remove them from the oven as soon as they are golden brown.
    • Why do they spread?
      Again, this has never been a problem using this recipe as the quantities are not too liquid to make them spread.  Just follow the recipe instructions below and ensure you weigh out your ingredients exactly using a digital kitchen scale.
    • Why are Mine Sticky?
      It's normal they are a bit sticky, as macaroons contain sugar, egg whites and honey. If they are too sticky, I'd suggest leaving the mixture to cool completely in the fridge (many French chefs leave the mixture for 24 hours) and rest before baking. Plus bake them a little longer - say, another 3-5 minutes to toast them;
    • Any more you'd like me to add?
      Let me know in the comments below and I'll do my best to help.

    taking little baked cookies off a baking tray to cool

    What Can I Make With the Leftover 2 Egg Yolks?

    As the two egg whites in this macaroon recipe can last for about 5 days in the fridge (and freeze well), make the egg yolk recipes preferably in advance as they don't last as long.

    So, before making these macaroons, use both leftover yolks to make Palets Bretons (salted butter biscuits from Brittany), French rice pudding, savoury lemon sauce or Crème Dubarry (cauliflower cream soup).

    YouTube player

    How Long Will Coconut Macaroons Last?

    • Coconut macaroons can last well if kept stored in an airtight container for up to 5 days. To enjoy them at their best, use a metal tin lined with parchment paper. Although they slightly lose their crispiness, they remain beautifully fondant soft inside.
    • They don't need to be refrigerated.
    • They also freeze well. Use within 2 months.
    • However, any leftover mixture unbaked can be kept covered in the fridge for 2-3 days. Just stir well before ready to bake.
    toasted coconut macaroons with less sugar, shaped in rounds and pyramids

    Coconut Macaroons

    Jill Colonna
    Coconut macaroons made the French way (Rochers coco) as extra toasted and crispy on the outside, soft and fondant inside. Easy recipe made without condensed milk and less sugar.
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    Chilling Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 30 minutes mins
    Course confiserie, Party Food, teatime
    Cuisine French
    Servings 6 people
    Calories 146 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 125 g (4½oz/1½ cups) shredded coconut (unsweetened)
    • 90 g (3½oz/½ cup) sugar
    • 75 g (3oz) egg whites (from 2 medium organic eggs)
    • 10 g (1 level tbsp) runny honey Acacia best
    • pinch salt (optional) (fleur de sel, Maldon or Celtic salt)

    Instructions
     

    • Mix together all the ingredients (sugar, coconut, egg whites, honey and salt) until well blended then continue mixing with a spoon over a bain-marie (a double boiler, i.e. a glass bowl over a pot of simmering water. The bowl should not touch the water) for about 5 minutes until the mixture is completely blended together and the egg whites coagulated.
    • Leave the mix to cool on the counter for about 10 minutes. (At this point, many French chefs chill this mixture overnight to make them easier to shape into large moulds but it's not completely necessary with smaller shapes).
    • Preheat the oven to 180°C fan/200°C/400°F/Gas 6.
    • Lightly moisten your hands with a little water and roll the coconut mix into little balls using the palm of your hands. Otherwise use a spoon or small ice cream scoop to shape them into regular mounds.
      (Tip for alternative shapes: for a French look, shape into pyramids using special silicone shaped moulds - or use an ice tray/mini muffin moulds and shape the top with fingers. Leave to chill for 15-30 minutes in the fridge to push out the shapes directly on the baking tray. Otherwise pipe out using a large star tip.)
    • Place them with a space between them on a baking tray covered with either baking paper or a silicone mat (Silpat).
      Bake for 10-15 minutes, turning the tray around half way through baking to cook more evenly until golden brown (or more according to taste). Leave to cool.

    Video

    Notes

    YIELD: Makes 15-20 small macaroons. 146 calories based on 3 per person. (Gluten Free)
    Baking: I like my coconut macaroons well toasted but if you like them less browned on the outside, then reduce the baking time.
    Storage: best eaten on the day but can be stored in an airtight metallic container in a cool, dry place for 3-5 days. Can be frozen for up to a month.
    Variation with Chocolate: Also excellent dipped or decorated in dark (bittersweet) chocolate. Melt 75g (3oz) of good quality dark cooking chocolate (64%) in a water bath (bain-marie, which is a bowl over a saucepan of a little simmering water) then dip the cooled macaroons in it (easier to set if macaroons are chilled in the fridge for about 20 minutes).
    Measures: Please note that all my recipes are best made using digital kitchen scales in precise metric grams. Both ounces (and cups) are given as a guide. 
    Keyword coconut macaroons easy recipe, congolais, macaroons without almond flour, rochers à la noix de coco, without condensed milk

    This recipe was first published in my 2nd recipe book, Teatime in Paris in May 2015.

    For more coconut bites, try my Granny's mini no-bake bite-sized snowballs, also reduced in sugar, packed with dried fruits and vegan. Dress them up like little Christmas puddings for the festive season or roll them in more coconut.

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    Meet Jill Colonna

    Jill is both Scottish and French and author of the book and blog, Mad About Macarons since 2010. Here she shares over 30 years of experience of living the healthy food life with her French family in Paris - via easy recipes and local food guides in France.

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      Made this? Rate this recipe...




    1. Jean

      May 20, 2023 at 6:09 pm

      5 stars
      Excellent recipe, they turned out delicious, crunch on outside and chew soft sweetness in the middle.

      Reply
      • Jill Colonna

        May 22, 2023 at 11:46 am

        So happy you enjoyed them, Jean. Thanks for your feedback!

        Reply
    2. Sasi

      January 01, 2023 at 7:50 am

      5 stars
      This is the recipe I've been waiting for. It is so detail and my macaroon came out so good after prevoiusly failed with other recipe. love it.

      Reply
      • Jill Colonna

        January 01, 2023 at 11:14 am

        So happy you like the recipe, Sasi. Happy New Year with many more recipes from le blog!

        Reply
    3. June Stobie

      November 12, 2022 at 2:49 pm

      5 stars
      We do not get to see inside a French Bakery very often - what a privilege. I loved watching this video and I want to make these macaroons with my younger grandchildren. It's so much easier when you have been shown how successful they turn out.

      Reply
      • Jill Colonna

        November 12, 2022 at 3:53 pm

        Awe - that's so lovely to hear! I look forward to hearing about you making them together and thrilled you like the video.

        Reply
    4. Christina

      November 12, 2022 at 4:15 am

      5 stars
      Absolutely floored at how good this post and video is, Jill! So detailed and every single question answered in advance! Good job, and thank you for the easy recipe! Your local bakers are lovely as well!

      Reply
      • Jill Colonna

        November 12, 2022 at 10:11 am

        You're so kind, Christina. Thank you - glad you liked it!

        Reply
    5. Sylvie

      November 11, 2022 at 6:51 pm

      5 stars
      Really great recipe if you're anxious in the kitchen like I am or really too tired to do something too elaborate. Watching the YouTube video really helped me visualise it and its really straightforward to make.
      I also enjoyed shaping them, the batter is a really satisfying texture. Will make with my kids next time.
      Making them was enjoyable, eating them was addictive.

      Reply
      • Jill Colonna

        November 11, 2022 at 6:54 pm

        Thanks for your kind words, Sylvie. Yes, they are very quick and easy to make and forgot to mention that they are pretty addictive. The good news is that I have reduced the sugar! Enjoy making them with your kids together.

        Reply

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