Easy coconut macaroon Easter nests are easy to make for a festive spring dessert! The nests are dipped in chocolate then decorated with chocolate eggs for an adorable treat.
Easter Coconut Macaroons
When I was a kid, my grandma would sprinkle coconut on top of sliced oranges and it became a simple treat she only made for me. From then on, I have loved coconut, especially coconut macaroons, coconut cupcakes recipe and coconut cream pie!
These coconut macaroon Easter nests are a recipe is that I got years ago from a friend. The cookies are soft, chewy, and full of the same nutty and caramelized flavor as toasted coconut with a sweet chewy texture like coconut balls!
For Easter, I dipped them in chocolate ganache and added a few chocolate eggs like my chocolate egg nest treats. They have become a spring tradition just like my Cadbury egg cookies!
Ingredient Notes
These Easter coconut macaroons are full of flavor and the chewy texture cookies is always a favorite! All the ingredients are easy to have on hand and keep well in the pantry.
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Coconut: Sweetened shredded coconut is the main ingredient. Ensure you are using sweetened not unsweetened and that the coconut is shredded.
- Flour: Helps keep the shape of the cookies as they are baking and helps the coconut mixture puff up when baking.
- Egg whites: This will help keep the ingredients combined while baking. Eggs are a binder for cookies. Using the whites of the eggs helps keep the color of the macaroons white.
- Chocolate melting wafers: Melt the chocolate in the microwave-safe bowl to dip the bottoms of the macaroons with a boost of chocolate. Drizzle the chocolate overtop making stripes on the homemade macaroons.
- Mini candy eggs: Mini Cadbury eggs, mini malted milk eggs or M&M’s eggs. You could even use jelly beans for a more fruity flavor!
How to Make Easter Coconut Macaroons
- Combine. In a mixing bowl, combine coconut, flour, sugar, and salt. Stir in egg whites (using an egg separator) and vanilla. Mix well.
- Bake. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto a prepared baking sheet. Bake in preheated oven for 18-20 minutes or until the edges have started to turn golden brown.
- Cool. Remove from oven and cool cookies on a wire rack.
- Add chocolate. If desired, dip the bottoms of the cookies in melted chocolate once cooled and then either add some drizzle some on top or dip candy coated eggs in chocolate and place on top for ‘nests’.
Tips and Variations
- Baking mat. Use parchment paper or a baking mat so that the bottoms of the cookies don’t stick to the pan.
- Shape. These cookies don’t spread or rise, so they’ll keep the same shape as when you first scoop them onto the baking mat. I like to use a cookie scoop to scoop them into firm and compact round balls.
- Don’t overbake. Overbaking causes the Easter macaroons to dry out. Bake them until the edges have turned golden brown, then remove the cookies from the oven.
- Doubling. This coconut macaroon Easter nests recipe is super easy to cut in half or double, triple, etc.
- Almonds. After dipping macaroons in chocolate, sprinkle on some crushed almonds. It makes them taste like my favorite chocolate almond joy cookies!
- Decorations. Easter coconut macaroons are so fun to decorate! Use melted chocolate as the “glue” to stick Cadbury eggs on top for Easter. Or add a few sprinkles or use colored chocolate wafers to drizzle on top.
Storage
- Storing: To store, simply place the coconut macaroon nests in an airtight container. The macaroons will keep at room temperature for about a week.
- Freeze: You can also freeze the Easter egg macaroon. Simply wrap each cookie individually with plastic wrap, then add it to an airtight container or freezer bag. These cookies can keep for at least three months in the freezer.
Other classic candy-like recipes we love include this divinity candy, rocky road candy and meringue cookie recipe!
More Coconut Dessert Recipes
HUNGRY FOR MORE? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for all the newest recipes!
Coconut Macaroon Easter Nests
Video
Ingredients
- 2 ⅔ cups flaked sweetened coconut
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon kosher or fine sea salt
- 4 egg whites
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups chocolate melting wafers , optional
Optional: Candy coated eggs
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325ºF. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a baking mat.
- In a mixing bowl, combine 2 2/3 cups coconut, 1/4 cup flour, 2/3 cup sugar and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Stir in 4 egg whites (using an egg separator) and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Mix well.
- Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto prepared baking sheet. Bake in preheated oven for 18-20 minutes or until the edges have started to turn golden brown.
- Remove from oven and cool cookies on wire rack. If desired, dip the bottoms of the cookies in melted chocolate once cooled and then drizzle some on top.
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Categorized as: American, Chocolate, Cookies, Desserts, Easter, Frosted Cookies, Holiday Cookies, Nut-Free, Vegetarian
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
very easy, this is a good one to do with the kids,try placing a cherry in the ceter then bake.
Sounds delicious with the added cherry! So glad you enjoyed the coconut macaroons.
These are the best ones yet! This recipe is a keeper, so easy to make. My neighbor gave me half of a coconut and I got it out of the shell and grated it and it was enough for a cup , I already had some leftover sweetened coconut in the pantry and it was just the right amount for this recipe. The Macaroons were delicious. I did substitute white cake mix instead of the flour. Thanks for this recipe!
They sure are delicious! I’m so happy to hear that you enjoyed the macaroons Coleen :)
Easy an excellent!
this is the only kind of cookie my friend loves, so I made these for her and she loved them! thank you for sharing this recipe
These were so easy!! So glad that I found this recipe because they’re my go-to for Easter now. Thank you!
WOW! These were super tasty and very easy to make! Definitely saving this recipe
Not super sweet. Added an extra tbs. flour and whipped the egg whites just a bit. Cookies didn’t spread and had a nice texture. Would definitely make them again.
These are my all time favorite treat! soooooo good, and surprisingly easy to make!
So easy and delicious! Family favorite!