Are Macaroons Gluten Free?

Many macaroon cookie recipes are naturally gluten-free, which makes them a great dessert option for those with allergies or dietary restrictions. This recipe for coconut macaroon cookies is not gluten-free, as it contains flour. However, you can easily make this recipe gluten-free by swapping the all-purpose flour called for in the recipe with a gluten-free 1:1 all-purpose flour in the same amount; or, you can experiment with your own personal blend of gluten-free flour. If you give this a try, let us know in the comments how it worked for you! We do not recommend leaving the flour out of the recipe entirely, as it does help to bind the cookies as they bake.

What's The Difference Between Macaroon and Macaron Cookies?

There might only be one “o” separating the two, but macaroons and macarons are very different cookie types. A macaroon is a drop cookie made with a mixture of flaked coconut, eggs, sugar, etc., while a macaron is an almond flour-based sandwich cookie filled with buttercream, jam, or ganache. Macaroons are soft and chewy throughout, and macarons are soft with a delicate crunch on the exterior. Macaroons have their origins in Italian baking and come together in a matter of minutes. Macarons also originated from Italy, but are more closely associated with French bakeries nowadays. Their preparation process is much more precise and time-consuming, requiring meringue, almond flour, and a piping bag to make perfect round cookies to sandwich with a filling. Both cookies are very delicious, but very different, so be sure to check the spelling before you make a recipe!

Why Are My Macaroons Sticky?

Many macaroon recipes will be slightly stickier than a typical cookie recipe, but once baked, they become dry to the touch on the outside. Rarely, however, the cookies will stay sticky even after baking; this is likely due to two factors: You used freshly shredded coconut, which has too much liquid in it and the liquid is likely seeping out when the macaroons bake, making them sticky. Be sure to use store-bought sweetened coconut flakes for this recipe for best results. Humidity in the air can sometimes affect baking outcomes—it’s true! If you live in a humid area or are baking macaroons on a hot, sticky summer day, your cookies might also suffer from the humidity. It’s best to bake when the air is dry outside for best results.

Are Coconut Macaroon Cookies Healthy?

These coconut macaroon cookies are generally healthier than many other cookie and dessert recipes, but due to their high sugar content, they should not be considered a healthy snack. We like to make these cookies with a variety of other cookie recipes during the holiday season to strike the balance between indulgent and flavorful, knowing that dessert is meant to be a special moment for a sweet treat! We recommend skipping these for snack time and saving them for when the occasion calls for cookies.

Easy Coconut Macaroon Cookies

Name: Easy Coconut Macaroon Cookies
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 36
Ingredients: 4 egg whites; 2 2/3 cups sweetened flaked coconut; 2/3 cup sugar; 1/4 cup all-purpose flour; 1/2 teaspoon clear vanilla; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon almond extract

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By Pillsbury Kitchens

Updated Jun 25, 2024