Irresistibly Chewy Hershey’s Kisses Coconut Macaroons: Your Ultimate Guide to a Perfect Treat
Prepare yourself for a delightful baking adventure! These Hershey’s Kisses Coconut Macaroons are not just any cookie; they are a soft, incredibly chewy, and perfectly balanced less-sweet coconut treat, each boasting a luscious Hershey’s Kiss nestled at its heart. If you have a fondness for coconut and chocolate, and are looking for a unique spin on a classic, this easy homemade macaroon recipe is absolutely for you. This recipe promises a simple yet rewarding experience, culminating in a batch of cookies that are as charming to look at as they are delicious to eat. Perfect for gifting, sharing, or simply indulging yourself, these macaroons are bound to become a staple in your baking repertoire.
The Secret Ingredient: Cream Cheese for Unbeatable Texture
One of the most intriguing aspects of this Hershey’s Kisses Coconut Macaroon recipe is the incorporation of cream cheese into the dough. While many macaroon recipes rely solely on egg whites and shredded coconut, our unique dough takes a different, more indulgent path. Unlike traditional chewy coconut macaroons that can sometimes lean towards a drier consistency, the addition of cream cheese, alongside butter, infuses these cookies with an extraordinary tenderness and a subtle tang that complements the sweetness of the coconut beautifully. This isn’t your typical soft and flaky dough like that found in rugelach (which also famously uses butter and cream cheese); instead, it yields a delightfully rich and slightly chewy texture that holds its shape wonderfully.
The cream cheese works magic, contributing to a wonderfully moist interior and a slightly crisp exterior, creating a textural contrast that is truly irresistible. It also adds a depth of flavor that elevates these macaroons beyond the ordinary, making them taste richer and more complex. Once chilled, the dough becomes incredibly pliable and a joy to work with. And that’s a fantastic advantage, because you’ll be forming about sixty small, perfectly round balls – a task that, while repetitive, can become a wonderfully mindful exercise. Imagine the satisfaction of transforming simple ingredients into dozens of uniform, bite-sized delights, each patiently waiting for its chocolatey center. This meditative process is part of the joy of making homemade treats, allowing you to focus on the craft and anticipate the delicious outcome.
The Trick to Perfectly Soft Chocolate Centers: A Game-Changer for Blossom Cookies
Undoubtedly, the crowning glory of these macaroons is the surprise of a smooth, soft Hershey’s Kiss in the center. But achieving that ideal, melty texture for the chocolate, even after the cookies have cooled, can be a challenge. That’s where a brilliant tip comes in: after adding the Hershey’s Kisses to your freshly baked cookies, pop them back into the warm oven for just about 30 seconds. This brief re-exposure to heat is supposed to make the chocolate set up slightly softer, retaining a wonderfully gooey consistency long after the cookies have cooled completely. This method is applicable to any “blossom” type cookie, such as the classic Peanut Blossoms, and it truly makes a difference.
I recently put this theory to the test again, and the results were compelling. A cookie whose Kiss was given that extra 30-second bake in the oven indeed revealed a consistently softer, more yielding chocolate, all the way to its iconic tip. In contrast, a cookie where the Kiss was simply pressed in and allowed to cool at room temperature exhibited a chocolate center that was half soft but had a distinctly harder, less pleasant tip. The difference in texture was noticeable and confirmed the efficacy of this simple step. While it might seem like a small detail, it significantly enhances the overall enjoyment of the cookie, providing a uniform melt-in-your-mouth experience with every bite.
Ultimately, for this particular batch, I ended up freezing all the cookies, which further helps preserve the soft texture of the chocolate, but the initial warmth treatment still impacts the chocolate’s structure. Whether you plan to enjoy them immediately or save them for later, giving your Hershey’s Kisses that extra moment in the oven is a worthwhile technique for superior chocolate texture.
The final photo showcases a cookie with a Dove dark chocolate in its center, proving that if Hershey’s Kisses aren’t your preference, or if you simply want to experiment with different flavor profiles, you can easily substitute them with other small, individually wrapped chocolates like Dove candies. Dark chocolate offers a sophisticated contrast to the sweet coconut, adding another layer of deliciousness to these versatile macaroons.
The Allure of Coconut Macaroons: A Brief History
While often confused with French macarons, coconut macaroons boast their own rich history and distinct character. These humble yet delicious treats are believed to have originated in Italian monasteries during the Middle Ages, making their way to France by the 16th century. Early macaroons were made primarily with ground almonds, sugar, and egg whites. However, with the advent of wider availability of desiccated coconut in the 19th century, the chewy, tropical version we know and love today began to emerge, particularly popular in English-speaking countries and Jewish cuisine (often made without flour to be Passover-friendly). This recipe, with its added cream cheese and chocolate center, is a modern homage to this enduring classic, offering a unique twist on a beloved dessert.
Tips for Perfect Macaroon Success
- Softened Ingredients: Ensure your butter and cream cheese are truly softened to room temperature. This is crucial for a smooth, lump-free dough that combines easily.
- Chilling is Key: Don’t skip the chilling step. It firms up the dough, making it much easier to handle and shape into uniform balls. A well-chilled dough also prevents excessive spreading during baking.
- Uniform Balls: Use a small cookie scoop or your hands to form consistent-sized balls. This ensures even baking and a beautiful presentation.
- Don’t Overbake: Macaroons should be lightly golden brown at the edges. Overbaking can lead to a dry, crumbly texture instead of the desired chewiness.
- The Hershey’s Kiss Trick: Remember the 30-second bake for soft, melty chocolate centers! It truly makes a difference in the cooled cookie’s texture.
- Quality Coconut: Using good quality flaked coconut will enhance the flavor and texture of your macaroons.
Creative Variations to Customize Your Macaroons
While the classic Hershey’s Kisses Coconut Macaroon is undeniably delicious, this recipe serves as a fantastic canvas for your culinary creativity. Here are a few ideas to inspire your next batch:
- Chocolate Varieties: Beyond Hershey’s Kisses and Dove dark chocolate, consider white chocolate Kisses, caramel-filled Kisses, or even mini peanut butter cups for a different flavor profile.
- Nutty Additions: Fold in finely chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds into the dough along with the coconut for added crunch and flavor.
- Citrus Zest: A teaspoon of orange or lemon zest can brighten the flavor of the macaroons, providing a lovely counterpoint to the sweetness.
- Espresso Powder: For coffee lovers, a half-teaspoon of instant espresso powder can deepen the chocolate flavor and add a subtle mocha note.
- Drizzles and Dips: After cooling, consider drizzling your macaroons with melted dark or white chocolate, or even dipping half of them for an extra layer of indulgence and visual appeal.
Serving and Storage Suggestions
These Hershey’s Kisses Coconut Macaroons are incredibly versatile and perfect for any occasion. Serve them as a delightful after-dinner treat, a charming addition to a cookie platter for holidays or parties, or simply as a comforting snack with your afternoon tea or coffee. They also make wonderful homemade gifts!
To store, place cooled macaroons in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, they freeze exceptionally well. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature for a few hours before serving. Freezing can actually enhance the chewiness and maintain the softness of the chocolate centers.
We hope you enjoy baking and sharing these wonderful Hershey’s Kisses Coconut Macaroons. Their unique texture, delightful flavor, and hidden chocolate surprise make them a truly special treat that will impress everyone!
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Recipe
Hershey Kisses Macaroons
Anna
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter softened (75 grams)**
- 3 oz cream cheese softened (84 grams)
- ¾ cup granulated sugar (150 grams)
- 2 teaspoons almond extract
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cups flaked coconut (sweetened or unsweetened, depending on preference)
- 48 to 60 Hershey’s Kisses (unwrapped)
Instructions
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In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, cream cheese, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Stir in both the almond extract and vanilla extract, followed by the egg yolk, mixing until well combined.
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In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this dry flour mixture to the wet butter and cream cheese mixture, stirring until a soft, cohesive dough forms. Be careful not to overmix.
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Gently fold half of the flaked coconut into the dough. Once evenly distributed, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill the dough in the refrigerator for about an hour, or until it is firm enough to easily handle and shape into balls.
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While the dough is chilling, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). Prepare baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper for easy removal and cleanup.
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Once the dough is chilled, scoop and shape it into approximately 60 small balls, each slightly smaller than an inch in diameter (about 15-20 grams each). Roll each dough ball in the remaining half of the flaked coconut to coat completely. Arrange the coconut-coated dough balls on your prepared baking sheets, leaving a little space between each. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
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While the cookies are baking, make sure your unwrapped Hershey’s Kisses (or other chocolate candies) are ready and within easy reach.
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Immediately remove the cookies from the oven. While they are still warm, gently press one Hershey’s Kiss into the center of each cookie. For an extra soft chocolate center, return the baking sheet to the oven for an additional 30 seconds. This brief re-warming helps the chocolate melt slightly and set up softer. Allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack or serving.
Notes