Next, I pour the sweetened condensed milk and vanilla extract over the dry ingredients. I stir everything together with a spatula until the mixture becomes sticky and fully combined. The texture should feel moist and hold together easily when pressed. If it seems dry, double-check your measurements because the condensed milk provides most of the moisture.
Once the mixture is ready, I scoop portions onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. I flatten each mound slightly and use the back of a teaspoon to create a small well in the center. Then I spoon a little cherry pie filling into each cookie. I usually aim for about two cherries per macaroon. As they bake, the cherries become beautifully jammy while the coconut turns golden around the edges.
After baking for 12–15 minutes at 350°F (175°C), I allow the cookies to cool completely. Meanwhile, I melt the chocolate chips with shortening using short microwave intervals, stirring frequently to prevent burning. Once the chocolate is smooth, I dip the bottoms of the cooled macaroons into the chocolate and place them back on the parchment paper. Finally, I drizzle the remaining chocolate over the tops in a zig-zag pattern before letting everything set.
Pro Tips for Best Results
I tested this recipe several times, and lightly pulsing the coconut makes a huge difference. The smaller pieces help the cookies hold together better while still maintaining their chewy texture.
Another thing I learned is that allowing the macaroons to cool completely before dipping them in chocolate is essential. I tried dipping warm cookies once, and the chocolate became messy and difficult to work with.
Don’t skip the shortening when melting the chocolate. It creates a smoother consistency that makes dipping and drizzling much easier while giving the chocolate a beautiful finish.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The biggest mistake I made the first time was adding too much cherry filling. While it seemed like a good idea, excess filling spilled over during baking and made the cookies harder to handle. (See the next page below to continue…)