When one of your kids mistakes cumin for cinnamon while baking, it’s not a happy accident. These little pieces of sunshine, on the other hand . . . . very happy. You see, I was trying to make these scrumptious vanilla bean coconut macaroons for guests, but in a flurry of activity, I replaced the vanilla with lemon extract.
Oh. my. goodness. It was a sweet sunshiney epiphany, delivered bite-by-bite. After making a few more batches I decided to add in some lemon zest to make them more lemony. I hope you love them as much as we do!
Chewy Lemon Coconut Macaroons Recipe
Ingredients
- ¾ cup blanched almond flour
- 1 ½ cups shredded unsweetened coconut
- ¼ cup plus 1-2 tablespoons raw honey
- ¼ cup coconut oil (gently melted)
- 1 tsp lemon extract (how to make lemon extract)
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- pinch sea salt
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine the almond flour, coconut, lemon zest and salt.
- Add 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon of honey to all of the coconut oil and all of the lemon extract. Mix until well combined.
- Using a rounded "measuring" tablespoon, gently press the macaroon dough into the spoon, then turn the spoon upside down and tap the cookie out into your hand. If it falls apart add one more tablespoon honey. Gently place on a parchment lined baking sheet and repeat with the rest of the dough.
- Bake in a 195-200F (90-93C) oven for about 45-50 minutes. The outside should be dried out a bit and the inside should be soft and chewy.
- Allow the macaroons to sit for at least 15 minute before transferring. They're delicate while still warm but very sturdy once cooled.
Nutrition
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Beth
Blobs of sunshine! I love that there are just 6 ingredients. I’m intrigued by the lemon oil since I haven’t used that before. I’m also intrigued that it’s a coconut flour recipe without eggs. This inspires me to try to add lemon to my various coconut macaroon recipes! I’ll probably be skipping the almond flour since I’m on a reduced oxalate diet. Thanks for the inspiration!
Alicia
Where do you purchase your almond flour? I have always just ground my own almonds to make flour, but I have heard frequently that blanched almond flour works better. Is it still safe and nutritious? Also, does it matter if it organic? I go organic with most everything else, but I am curious about almonds – and specifically almond flour. Thank you for your time.
Cynthia
I have never before. Publix 1st choice
Michelle
Do you think they would come out well using coconut flour instead of Almond flour? We have an almond allergy in our family. If not, could you recommend another nut flour that is a good substitute for Almond. We are struggling to move to grain free with both egg allergies and almond allergies.
Oh yeah, by the way, I love your blog and your homemade deodorant is the best. Thank you so much.
Heather
I have not tested it, but you might consider using ground sunflower seeds http://empoweredsustenance.com/sun-flour/
Susie
Ooh, these look like a lemon version of Hail Merry’s!! Those suckers are expensive, so I’ll have to try this!
Roxana
Hi! This recipe sounds amazing! I only have one question. When you say 1/4 cup coconut oil, should it be solid or liquid? (I live in a country where my coconut oil stays solid 360 days a year)
Heather
Thank you for asking, Roxana! It should be melted . . . editing my notes now!
Alison @ Alison's List
This is genius! Thanks for such a great idea. I have some lemon essential oil lying around that would be perfect for baking, as I think it’s lost some of its medicinal potency by now. I just haven’t known what to do with it. I, too, am wondering about an almond-free version. I’m going to see what I can mix up.
Leah
I am enjoying these as I type. So, so good! The dropper fell off my lemon oil at the exact moment I held it over the bowl, so I have no idea how much I added. Still amazing!
Lisa
Since I didn’t have lemon essential oil but everything else on hand, I made these with 2 tsps of vanilla. They were fantastic – even better the second day after the ingredients had time to meld together. While I was out today, I stopped by to get some lemon essential oil so I can try these again with the lemon flavor. Thank you for the recipe. I love these recipes with less than 6 ingredients and simple to make.
Heather
So glad you liked them, Lisa!
Sandrine Love
How fun to see the final photo after all!
Harmony Moore
I don’t have lemon essential oil, can i just use lemon juice? I have a lemon tree with plenty of fresh meyer lemons. They sound delicious.
Heather
Unfortunately, I think they would fall apart with lemon juice. You might try the original recipe with vanilla. It’s delicious!
Amber Matthews
30-40 drops?? Really?? That seems a little much…and a little costly with certain brands. I would think 5-10 drops would be sufficient?? Why so much?
Heather
We really like lemon. You can use as much or as little as you’d like 🙂
Harmony Moore
Ok so i just made these after going to the store today to get lemon essential oil. But only after i’d made them and eaten one did i realize that i didn’t get food grade oil. the label on mine says for aromatherapy use and that it’s 100% lemon essential oil. So my question is, should i throw them all out or can i safely eat them? The one i ate tasted pretty good.
Heather
Hi Harmony! I am not an expert on essential oils or a healthcare provider, but personally I’d eat it.:) My big thing with lemon oil is to try to get organic if possible because pesticide residue will get in the oil, but I have used non-organic in a pinch.
melanie
I don’t have lemon oil either so I’m thinking lemon zest. Will give it a try…
And if you are a fan of all things citrus like I am, here’s a recent post on Nourishing Citrus Smoothies: http://shesourceful.com/2013/03/11/recipe-nourishing-citrus-smoothies/
=)
Julie
Yikes! These look good. I’m going to make them right now!
Sara Chambers-Moss
Brilliant recipe, Heather! I love it! I’m featuring it on the Simple Daily Change Facebook page on Friday, March 22nd, from 4pm to 6pm PST. http://www.facebook.com/SimpleDailyChange . Thanks so much for your great recipes and posts!
heather
Hi Heather,
I loved this recipe! It inspired me to adapt my own version. You can check it out here:
http://blog.lilamae.com/someones-in-the-kitchen-with-lila/organic-gluten-free-coconut-macaroons-2/
Thanks for the constant source of great ideas and inspiration!
Warm regards,
Heather
Founder
LilaMae.com
mari
Made these yesterday. I was out of almonds so I used coconut flour instead. Great treat :)!
Donna
These look good. I have an Excaliber food dehydrator. Can you give me some time/temp tips to try on the dehydrator?
If I set it at 150 degrees, how long should they stay in?
thanks.
Lulu
these are awesome! thank you for the recipe!
Francine
I made these and they are GREAT! I did have to make some substitutions (extract and flours) but the basic idea of the coconut and honey is delicious. I was skeptical about whether they would bake well, but they did– perfect. I did leave them in the oven 10 extra minutes because of my skepticism.
Deb
Do you think agave could be substituted for honey to make them vegan friendly?
Edith
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Annette
What can be substituted for the honey? I’m diabetic & don’t eat honey.
Heather Dessinger
Sorry, I’m not aware of a substitution that would work in this recipe.