Best 3 Pongaroons Macaroon Cookies Recipes

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Pongaroons, also known as macaroon cookies, are a delightful treat that combines the chewy texture of coconut macaroons with the rich flavor of chocolate. Originating in South Africa, these cookies are a popular indulgence enjoyed by people of all ages. This article presents three variations of the classic pongaroon recipe, each offering a unique twist on this beloved treat.

The first recipe introduces the traditional pongaroon made with a combination of desiccated coconut, sugar, egg whites, and a touch of vanilla essence. These cookies are baked until golden brown and then generously coated in melted chocolate, resulting in a perfect balance of sweetness, coconut flavor, and chocolatey decadence.

The second recipe takes a creative spin on the classic pongaroon by adding roasted peanuts to the mix. The combination of crunchy peanuts, chewy coconut, and rich chocolate creates a symphony of flavors and textures that is sure to tantalize your taste buds.

The final recipe presents a gluten-free version of the pongaroon, catering to individuals with gluten sensitivities or those who prefer a healthier alternative. This recipe uses almond flour instead of traditional wheat flour, resulting in a delicious and guilt-free treat that maintains the delightful flavors and texture of the classic pongaroon.

Whether you're a fan of traditional sweets or enjoy exploring new flavor combinations, these pongaroon recipes offer something for everyone. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and embark on a culinary journey to create these delectable treats that are sure to become a favorite in your household.

Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!

CHOCOLATE-DIPPED CHERRY MACAROONS



Chocolate-Dipped Cherry Macaroons image

Besides Christmas, my next favorite holiday for some specialty baking has to be Valentine's Day.

Categories     dessert

Time 1h10m

Yield 30 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

2/3 c. Small-chopped Maraschino Cherries
14 oz. weight Sweetened Shredded Coconut
3/4 c. Sweetened, Condensed Milk
1/2 tsp. Pure Vanilla Extract
1/2 tsp. Pure Almond Extract
3 tbsp. All-purpose Flour
2 Large Egg Whites At Room Temperature
1/4 tsp. Kosher Salt
6 oz. weight Ghirardelli Semi-sweet Chocolate Baking Bar, Chopped Into 1/2-inch Pieces

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 325°. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside. Spread chopped cherries out on a paper-towel-lined plate. Set aside. In a large bowl, stir together coconut, sweetened condensed milk, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Then fold in the chopped cherries. This will turn the mixture a light pink color-just fold until the whole mixture is evenly colored. Sprinkle flour evenly over the mixture and then fold again to incorporate. With a stand mixer or hand mixer, with the whisk attachment, whip egg whites and salt on high speed until there are medium-firm peaks. Very gently fold egg whites into coconut mixture. Using a medium-sized cookie scoop (the one I used is 1-3/4 inches in diameter), pack the coconut mixture fairly tightly into the scoop, and drop the batter onto prepared baking pans. Place both pans in the oven and bake for about 30-33 minutes, or until golden brown and set, alternating pans halfway through the total baking time. Remove pans from oven and let macaroons cool on the pan for 5 minutes before removing them to a rack to cool completely. Line a pan with parchment paper and set aside. In a very small microwave-safe bowl, gently melt the chocolate in the microwave. Heat for 15-20 seconds at a time, stirring in between, taking extra care to make sure the chocolate doesn't scorch. Dip the bottom of each macaroon into the melted chocolate, so chocolate reaches about ¼ inch up the sides. Wiggle the macaroon so excess chocolate will fall back into the bowl. Very gently scrape the bottom of the macaroon across the lip of the bowl, from inside of bowl to outside, to let excess chocolate fall back into the bowl. Place chocolate dipped cherry macaroon on parchment paper lined pan. Repeat until all macaroons are dipped. Let macaroons sit at room temperature until chocolate is set, or place in refrigerator for 10 minutes to speed up the process. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for a few days. These also freeze very well in an airtight container with parchment paper separating any layers of macaroons.

PONGAROONS MACAROON COOKIES RECIPE



Pongaroons Macaroon Cookies Recipe image

Passover cookies. From Busy Cooks, @about.com Recipe from: The Cafe Pongo Cookbook: More Than 220 Recipes from the Hudson Valley by Valerie Nehez (Simon & Schuster)

Provided by Nana Lee

Categories     Drop Cookies

Time 38m

Yield 2 doz

Number Of Ingredients 5

1 lb sweetened flaked coconut
1 1/4 cups sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated milk)
1 1/2 tablespoons almond extract or 1 1/2 tablespoons Grand Marnier
2 large egg whites
1 pinch salt

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350ºF.
  • Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
  • Mix together the coconut, condensed milk, and almond extract, keeping the coconut as fluffy as possible.
  • Whisk the egg whites and salt until soft peaks form.
  • Fold the egg whites into coconut mixture.
  • Using a soup spoon, scoop the macaroon batter into mounds or balls about the size of a Ping-Pong ball.
  • Place about 1 inch apart on the parchment-lined cookie sheet.
  • THE MACAROON BATTER SHOULD BE HANDLED VERY GENTLY.
  • Do not squeeze the batter.
  • If your fingers become sticky from sliding the batter off the spoon, dip them in cold water.
  • Bake the macaroons until golden brown, 18 to 20 minutes.
  • Allow the macaroons to cool a bit before removing them, but don t let them sit too long or they will glue themselves to the parchment.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 1796.4, Fat 97.3, SaturatedFat 81.9, Cholesterol 65, Sodium 970.8, Carbohydrate 213.7, Fiber 10.2, Sugar 203.5, Protein 25.3

MACARONS



Macarons image

Macaron is the French word for macaroon, but are never the coconut-based cookie. Macarons are one of the most amazing pastries, with hundreds of flavors and fillings. Macarons are made from almond flour and meringue, with even the pros claiming to failure on a regular basis. After going through dozens of recipes and trials, this is the most reliable macaron recipe I could come up with. You could get lighter using the Italian meringue method, but it's less dependable.

Provided by Deegan

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     French

Time 9h

Yield 15

Number Of Ingredients 5

4 extra large egg whites
1 ⅔ cups confectioners' sugar
1 ⅓ cups almond flour
⅛ teaspoon salt
¼ cup superfine (castor) sugar

Steps:

  • Place egg whites into a metal mixing bowl and refrigerate overnight. The next day, bring egg whites to room temperature.
  • Preheat oven to 280 degrees F (138 degrees C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  • Whisk confectioners' sugar and almond flour in a bowl. Beat the egg whites with salt in metal bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until foamy, about 1 minute; increase speed to high and gradually beat in superfine sugar, about 1 tablespoon at a time, until the egg whites are glossy and hold stiff peaks, 3 to 5 more minutes.
  • Gently fold almond flour mixture into whipped egg whites until thoroughly incorporated; spoon meringue into a pastry big fitted with a 3/8-inch tip.
  • Pipe 1-inch disks of meringue onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving 2 inches of space between cookies. The batter will spread. Lift the baking sheets a few inches above the work surface and hit them lightly on the work surface several times to remove any air bubbles from the cookies. Let the cookies stand at room temperature until the shiny surfaces become dull and a thin skin forms, about 15 minutes.
  • Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake with the oven door open slightly until the macarons' surfaces are completely dry, about 15 minutes. Let cookies cool completely on a baking sheet before peeling parchment paper from the cookies.
  • Spread half the cookies with any desired filling, top with remaining cookies to make sandwiches, and refrigerate at least 2 hours to overnight to let the cookies soften.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 71.4 calories, Carbohydrate 17.3 g, Protein 1 g, Sodium 34.3 mg, Sugar 17 g

Tips:

  • Use fresh, high-quality ingredients for the best flavor.
  • Be sure to measure your ingredients accurately for consistent results.
  • Don't overmix the batter, as this will make the cookies tough.
  • Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before baking, as this will help the cookies hold their shape.
  • Bake the cookies until they are just set, as overbaking will make them dry.
  • Let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack before storing them in an airtight container.
  • For a richer flavor, use dark chocolate instead of semi-sweet chocolate.
  • Add a pinch of salt to the batter to enhance the flavor of the cookies.
  • For a chewy cookie, use more granulated sugar than brown sugar.
  • For a crispy cookie, use more brown sugar than granulated sugar.

Conclusion:

Pongaroons are a delicious and versatile cookie that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. They are perfect for a quick snack or a special occasion. With so many different variations, there is sure to be a pongaroon recipe that everyone will love. So next time you are looking for a sweet treat, give pongaroons a try.

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