Today marks the first official day of spring, and New York City is celebrating the change in seasons with a local temperature of a sweltering 44ºF. Forget the spring showers, we’re all about the spring hail-slash-gale force winds. But there’s no time to begrudge March’s identity crisis.
I’ve been filling every free minute of this past week with preparations for a much-anticipated vacation that begins this Friday. Destination: Dubai! I’m heading east, as in a 14-hour flight east, to visit my sister and brother-in-law for the week, and you better believe there will be many an Instagram and Tweet of the culinary adventures that ensue.
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Now on to these golden nests of chewy coconut and fresh fruit. Whether you’re planning the perfect Passover feast, entertaining family and friends on Easter Sunday, or just need an excuse for your taste buds to travel to the tropics, look no further than easy coconut macaroons topped with a dollop of sweet and tangy homemade pineapple jam.
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Ingredients
For the pineapple jam:
- 2 cups grated fresh pineapple, with juice (See Kelly's Notes)
- 1 cup water
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 3 Tablespoons fresh lime juice
For the macaroons:
- 6 cups shredded sweetened coconut
- 1 (14-oz.) can sweetened condensed milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
Make the jam:
- Combine the grated pineapple (and any juice) with the water in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat and cook it for 30 minutes until soft.
- Stir in the sugar and lime juice and continue cooking the mixture for 45 to 60 minutes until it has thickened.
- Transfer the jam to a bowl to cool while you prepare the macaroons.
Make the macaroons:
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF.
- Combine the coconut flakes, sweetened condensed milk and vanilla in a large bowl.
- Use a small spoon to scoop out roughly 3 tablespoons of the mixture. Press it loosely into a ball, and then using your thumb (or the back side of a ¼ teaspoon), make an indent in the center to form a well, which the pineapple jam will later fill.
- Place each of the small rounds on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake the macaroons for 10 to 12 minutes until they are golden brown.
- Remove the macaroons from the oven. Let them cool for 10 minutes on the sheet tray before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Scoop 2 teaspoons of the prepared jam into the centers of the macaroons and serve.
Kelly's Notes:
- Grating the pineapple means the you won't have to bust out the blender to end up with a thick but spreadable jam. But it's important to grate the pineapple inside a baking dish or deep plate so you can catch all of the juices.
- Any leftover pineapple jam can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 months.
- ★ Did you make this recipe? Don't forget to give it a star rating below!
Nutrition
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I’ve been making these for our holiday cookie exchange the last couple of years. They are so simple but taste amazing.
Thrilled you’re enjoying the recipe, Patti!
Do you bake the Coconut Macaroons in a convection oven? I love this simple recipe. My sisters do as well. I send them a batch of them for their birthdays along with a batch of Brownies.
So glad you are enjoying the recipe, Charlene!
Just made these delicious…my little change was in the jam I made million (passion fruit) pineapple jam for the center. I love the Sweet tart tropical taste. And I have lots of frozen Mililani juice to use up :-) thanks for the wonderful idea
Oh wow, they look deliciously tropical!
I remember having to explain the difference between a macaron and macaroon to my Nan :) priceless. These look incredible. Just like Nan makes!
Kelly, these look amazing! Nothing gets me more in the mood for warmer weather than coconut and fresh fruit.
Your filled macaroons sound scrumptious. You are so inspiring with your homemade jam. I think this recipe is worth making every month, switching up flavors of fillings! So many possibilities.
i love coconut macaroons!! delish :)
These sound so delicious, I love the sound of your homemade pineapple jam!
mmm Kelly, coconut macaroons are one of my favorites. And my mom’s favorites too. It’s her birthday coming up – thank you for reminding me to make them for her! That jam? heavenly!!
Yay! Finally found something I could do with those leftover pineapple jam! Thanks for sharing Kelly!
I LOVE macaroons and filling them with jam is just genuis! Great idea, Kelly!
These look so yummy! I love macaroons…and that homemade pineapple jam looks amazing. Like eating a pina colada :)
Kelly! These have to be the best-tasting tropical cookies ever devised by man! Cannot wait to make them to prove this point, ha! What a way to dress up macaroons…looove pineapple. (Been working with fresh chopped pineapple all week. Mmm. Some for me, some for recipe, LOL!) Looking forward to reading your culinary exploits in Dubai. Have a swell time on vaca! xo
Haha, thanks Stacy!
coconut and pineapple jam – perfect combination! Thank you for sharing!
Taste of the Tropics!
Dubai is on my list of places to travel. Have fun! I’ll be here in Seattle, pretending its warmer then 40 degrees while I eat these coconut macaroons.
Have a great trip to Dubai! Sounds so fun already :)
ps: Love this cute little macaroons for Easter!
Sooo good and cute looking, Kelly! I love the crispiness of the bottoms. Happy Spring to you!! Hope you have fun on your trips!! Stillll sad I won’t see you next week!
I’m so sad to be missing you in NYC, Julie! Have a wonderful trip!
These look so delicious, Kelly! And pretty too! Have a great holiday in Dubai!
That pineapple jam sounds amazing!
These are perfect for Passover! And I am soooo jealous you’re going to Dubai – have the best time ever!
I love love coconut macaroons! Your idea of making them into little nests and filling with pineapple jam – genius!
Great minds:) Love your version! Happy Spring!
I hate to admit that I had nooo idea macaroons where this easy to make, particularly since I’m a coconut freak! these look delicious! a little chocolate glaze + the pineapple jam would really send me over the moon :)
Maybe if I make these macaroons this draaaaagging Minnesota winter we’re having will magically be over! :) Have so much fun in Dubai — I’ve been there before and I’m pretty sure my jaw was on the floor in wonder the. entire. time. :)
Thanks so much, Stephanie! I’m so excited to get there!
love these Kelly!
We have a whopping 20 degrees here for the first day of spring (eek!), here’s to hoping it warms up soon! Kelly, these look so awesome, coconut and pineapple!
Yummy! I love macaroons. And I love pineapple flavored anything. I recently purchased your book, Food Blogging for Dummies. I am new to the food blogosphere (just started a little over a week ago). And the book is so insightful, guiding the reader through every step of the journey. I have so much to learn. And the book will be my reference guide for a long time. You are awesome!
Thanks so much for picking up a copy of the book! I’m so glad you’re finding it helpful.
I want to just inhale that jam! Kelly it looks amazing! Congrats on all that balmy weather. It was 70F here in San Diego and I actually made pineapple bread. Next week’s recipe. I need to try your macs!
I am so jealous of your amazing weather, and in my favorite city, nonetheless! And pineapple bread sounds fantastic!