My Kids’ Favorite Chocolate Treat (And Mine Too!)
“Mommy, let’s make chocolate balls!” If I had a dollar for every time I heard that… well, I could buy a lot more almond flour! My kids go crazy for chocolate, and let’s be honest, so do I. But it’s hard to find treats that are both delicious and somewhat healthy. Enter: Paleo Chocolate Coconut Macaroons!
These little bites of heaven are so easy to make, and they’re a fantastic baking project with kids. There’s mixing, dumping, and plenty of opportunities for slightly messy hands. Plus, these are way better for you than ice cream or store-bought cookies.
Not Your Fancy French Macaroons
Don’t confuse these with those delicate little French macaroons that take an eternity to bake! Traditional macaroons always seemed too intimidating, with their long ingredient lists and finicky steps. My recipe? Just 5 ingredients and 5 simple steps – seriously! Honestly, the hardest parts are preheating the oven and waiting those 15 minutes for them to bake.
Okay, I confess: I’m a lazy baker.
But don’t let that fool you. I’m all about delicious results, and these macaroons DELIVER. It’s the perfect thing to do with my kids on a rainy afternoon, and the chocolatey goodness satisfies everyone’s sweet tooth.
Here’s the Super-Easy Recipe
- Whip up those egg whites: Grab your blender or food processor and whip 3 egg whites until light and fluffy. Kids love this part! (Okay, it might get a bit messy.)
- Mix in the good stuff: Stir in honey (try a local variety for extra flavor!), cocoa powder, unsweetened coconut flakes, and almond flour.
- Smart Tip: I used to avoid recipes with almond flour – it’s pricey! Now, I buy whole almonds in bulk and make my own flour at home or buy it on Amazon – way cheaper!
- Get those little hands mixing: Let the kids dump and stir the batter. Note: Smaller coconut flakes make prettier macaroons, but any type works! Even sweetened coconut flakes are fine – just reduce the honey a bit.
- Form and bake: Spoon 1 tablespoon of batter per macaroon onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Sometimes I double the batch for later – but honestly, they rarely last long enough to freeze! Bake at 350°F for 15 minutes.
- Enjoy warm or cold: Some people say to freeze the macaroons until firm, but I love them straight from the oven (after a few minutes to cool!). If you want them cold, a quick 20 minutes in the freezer does the trick. Store leftovers in the fridge or freezer.
Healthy-ish, Not Just “Healthy”
Okay, these aren’t kale chips. They’re still a treat! But they’re grain-free, dairy-free, and use natural honey instead of refined sugar. I’d rather my kids (and myself!) indulge in a couple of these than a box of processed cookies.
Get Creative!
This recipe is a fantastic base. Try adding:
- Chopped nuts for crunch (pecans, walnuts…yum!)
- Raisins for chewy sweetness
- My favorite brand of dairy-free chocolate chips
Let me know if you try these paleo chocolate coconut macaroons – I bet your whole family will devour them!
Let me know if you try them!
- 3 egg whites
- 1/3 cup honey
- 3 tbs cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 cups unsweetened shredded coconut
- 1/3 cup almond flour
- Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit
- Place egg whites in a blender, food processor or bowl. Blend till eggs whites are fluffy.
- Mix in honey, cocoa powder, coconut and almond flour.
- Spoon out 1 tbs of mixture per macaroon on to a tray lined with parchment paper.
- Bake in over for 15 minutes or until light brown in color.
These look amazing! What would the count be for this on the 21 Day Fix?