Easy, Elegant Macaroons

Prep Time: 10 min
Cook Time: 15 min
Level of Difficulty: Easy

These elegant macaroons are easy to prepare, and they have a wonderful flavor that will impress your taste buds.
A spoon is used to shape them in the form of an egg, which makes them a perfect ending for an Easter dinner, or you can make other shapes, as you please. Because they use no flour or leavening, they are a perfect treat for Passover.

I like these macaroons best soon after baking, when they are crunchy outside with a moist interior. Leftover cookies may become moister, but you can briefly reheat them in the oven to achieve that fresh-baked crunchy texture. Store the cookies in an air-tight container.

Ingredients

• 1 cup walnuts
• 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
• 2 egg whites or 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 1/3 cup Splenda; or, use part Splenda and part honey or sugar

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Grind walnuts in a food processor until they are finely ground.In a bowl, combine all ingredients and mix well.
2. Using a tablespoon, scoop up some of the mixture and pack it into the spoon in the shape of an egg. Place the “eggs” on a cookie sheet.
3. Bake 15 minutes until slightly golden. Remove and cool on a rack.

Variations:

1. (Most will add carbohydrates and change the nutritional value of the cookies)
2. Use part rolled “quick” oats in place of the nuts.
3. Add small pieces of chopped dates, apricots or figs.
4. Use pecans or almonds instead of walnuts.
5. Insert a large chocolate chip on the top of each cookie.
6. Drizzle melted chocolate on top of the cooled cookies.

Nutrition at a Glance (per serving)

• Calories: 70
• Total fat: 6g
• Saturated fat: 2g
• Carbohydrate: 2g
• Dietary fiber: 1g
• Protein: 2g