Sweet, salty, chewy, and chocolatey! That’s exactly what you’ll taste when you bite into one of these Salted Dulce De Leche Coconut Macaroons. Made with homemade Dulce de Leche, they’re gluten-free to boot!
The holiday season is always cookie season! At least in my kitchen.
We give cookies, we get cookies, we eat cookies, we exchange cookies, and so on.
And it’s all so much fun and so tasty!
What are Macaroons?
- Macaroons are usually very sweet, coconut based and can be made fairly quickly.
- Super popular in Jewish communities, Macaroons are said to have been a part of a mid-20th century campaign by kosher companies, to capitalize on the Jewish holiday market.
- They are an American twist on the French Macaron.
- Macaroons rarely contain dairy which makes them Pareve, which is a food or dish that’s doesn’t contain meat or dairy. (Kosher laws prohibit serving meat and dairy together.) So this could be why macaroons became a favorite dessert among Jewish communities.
- Macaroons are sort of rustic, lumpy looking cookies that vary in shape.
So then, what’s a French Macaron?
- Other than the very minor difference in spelling, French Macarons are quite different from Macaroons.
- French Macarons are not overly sweet, meringue based, and can be quite difficult and time consuming to make.
- Made with almond flour, Macarons are delicate, very refined and are made in a wide variety of colors and flavors.
- Originally from Italy, when they made their way to France Macarons transformed from a single cookie to a sandwich cookie, with a filling of jam, ganache or buttercream.
- Here’s an example of beautiful French Macarons.
One of the reasons these Salted Dulce De Leche Coconut Macaroons are so magnificent is because of the homemade Dulce de Leche.
Yes, you can definitely buy a prepared dulce de leche to save time, but it’s super cool to make your own. Check out how easy it is to make, and with only one ingredient.
I love the thick layer of chocolate on the bottom of each macaroon, but you can also — or in addition — drizzle the chocolate on top.
Enjoy every last delectable crumb of these Salted Dulce De Leche Coconut Macaroons!
Timeline for making Salted Dulce De Leche Coconut Macaroons
1 day ahead: Make your own dulce de leche!
2 hours ahead: Make the batter, bake and cool the cookies.
1 hour ahead: Dip the cookies in chocolate and let them cool.
These cookies will keep in an airtight container for a few days, but are best the day they are made. You can also freeze them in an airtight container for up to two months.
If you would like to make your own Dulce de Leche, which is super simple, you should definitely do so the day before! Here's How to Make Dulce de Leche. (You can of course purchase it to save time.)
*Makes about 36 | about 2 per serving
- 1 large egg white
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup dulce de leche
- about 3 cups unsweetened coconut, shredded (see notes!)
- 3/4 cup finely chopped semisweet chocolate melted
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Preheat the oven to 325 degrees and cover two baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.
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In a medium-sized mixing bowl, use a whisk to whip the egg white until it's frothy, about 30 seconds. Add the sugar, salt, vanilla, and dulce de leche -- mix to blend. Then use a spoon to mix in the coconut.
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Using a 1 1/4-inch ice-cream scoop or a spoon, form approximately 1 to 2 inch balls of dough and place them on the parchment-covered baking sheets, spacing them about 2-inches apart. Bake in the preheated oven just until the cookies become golden brown along the edges, about 15 minutes.
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Once they are cool, dip the bottom of each cookie in the melted chocolate, and then place it back on the parchment-lined baking sheet to let it set. This should take about an hour. Alternately, you can drizzle them with the melted chocolate (It should be left to set the same way.)
Making your own dulce de leche is super easy! Here's how!
There's a chance you may need a little more coconut. This will depend on the size of the coconut flakes, and/or the consistency of the dulce de leche. These are things that will just vary for every person who makes it. The key is that you want the batter to keep its shape when it hits the baking sheet. If it begins to spread/fall, there's not enough coconut. Add more!
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Caroline says
OK, I really want to jump in the kitchen and make these as they have my name written all over them! While I’m not a huge sweet tooth, I do love dulce de leche so I am completely sold!
valentina says
Thanks so much, Caroline! Hope you love them. 🙂
Caitlyn Erhardt says
These sound amazing! Great recipe!
valentina says
Thanks so much! 🙂
Tracy says
These are my favorite cookies. I love the combo of coconut and cookies. Plus they’re so easy to make. Love your recipe!
valentina says
Thanks so much, Tracy.Yes they’re so easy to throw together. Cheers!
Mary Bostow says
I love how easy these are to make! Plus I pretty much always have these ingredients in my pantry. They’ll be great for a quick last minute treat for when I’m wanting something sweet!
valentina says
Perfect! Thanks for checking out the recipe. 🙂
Cliona Keane says
My family would love these at Christmas! We’re always looking for new kinds of bakes to test out and these are a must try!
valentina says
I hope you love them! Thanks!
Gerlinde @ Sunnycovechef says
What a great recipe, I will bake the macaroons after I make my own dulce de Leche . Pinned!
valentina says
I hope you love them! Thank you! 🙂
Ron says
Valentina, I thought you had plans for that dulce de leche you posted. Your Salted Dulce De Leche Coconut Macaroons will be very popular at our dessert Julbord at Christmas. Macaroons are a classic Christmas cookie here so this one will work.
valentina says
I always have plans for Dulce de Leche. 😉 I love learning about all of these traditions that are new to me — I just looked up Julbord, and it sounds like so much fun during the holidays — and like so much delicious food. Love it.
David says
I love the chewiness of a coconut macaroon and these sound extra fabulous with the dulce de leche. Lovely!
valentina says
Thanks so much, David! Happy cookie season.
David @ Spiced says
It’s amazing how different macarons are from macaroons! I’m sure they’re related somehow, but on appearance they seem nothing alike. I’m loving how easy these macaroons are to make, though (unlike macarons!). And you’re right…Christmas season is cookie season! 🙂
valentina says
Yes, those differences are kinda cool. I love learning about that sort of thing. The French Macarons are so delicate and pretty, but my kind of cooking is better suited to the rustic Macaroons. 🙂 Enjoy the cookie season, and thank you checking out the cookies. 🙂
Deb|EastofEdenCooking says
Serious #CookieMagic in every one of these little beauties!
valentina says
Ooooh, “cookie magic!” I love the sound of that. Thank you! 🙂
Coco in the Kitchen says
OMG All my fav things in one sweet, li’l package!
valentina says
Thank you Colette. They are indeed little packages of deliciousness!
Ashley Walker says
You had me at macaroons! The homemade dulce de leche and chocolate dip really put it over the top. These look absolutely delicious : )
valentina says
Thanks so much, Ashley. I hope you might try them. Happy holiday season. 🙂
nancy says
Ooooh….. these sound absolutely fantastic Valentina – I love the combo of the dulce de leche and coconut! Add in some chocolate and there you have it – the trifecta of the perfect cookie!!!
valentina says
Thanks so much, Nancy! Love this comment!!!
John / Kitchen Riffs says
Macaroons are great — easy to make, and everyone loves them. Your version is superb! Really nice recipe — lotta fun flavors. Thanks!
valentina says
Many thanks, John. Yes, I love how easy they are, too. Fun, indeed. 🙂
Christina Conte says
I love that you set everyone straight on the macaroon vs. macaron issue! HUGE pet peeve of mine to see one or the other called by the wrong name. Thank you, Valentina. 🙂 That said, I ADORE macaroons! Especially dipped in chocolate. Coconut is a weakness for me! Looks like a crazy good recipe! Must make!
valentina says
Thank you so much! I used to be so confused about that issue, so I figure I better clear it up for everyone. 🙂