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Saturday, March 9, 2013

Macaroon Nests

 
Have you ever noticed how, so often, the things that we are initially drawn to are the same things that end up driving us crazy!? Like our husband's sense of humor.....? Or the challenge of a new job....? Or, as the case may be, a house on a wooded lot...? Those of you who have been following me for a while know that, almost 2 years ago now, we moved from our cozy starter home on a city lot to the home we live in now - the home we lovingly refer to as our Lemon Tree Dwelling.


One of the things we loved most about the new house was the yard - it was big, inviting, and FULL of trees! Which meant lots of privacy - something we had none of at our old house. There was something appealing about knowing we could step outside and be in our own little world - bathrobe and bedhead and all!


And then.....as it happened....the thing we were drawn to (the trees!) started to become a nuisance. First it was the three big ones smack dab in the middle of the backyard (seriously??) Then it was a bunch of small ones in a little area in the front (that were blocking any view of our house from the street) and then a random few that were growing in bad places on both sides of our house. And then....just last week....the power company removed 3 that were growing into the power lines.....and, for an entire day, our backyard looked like this:


Yes....our trees have been driving me crazy!!


But then....just today....it started smelling like spring around here. And when I looked out the kitchen window into our less-wooded but still tree-filled yard, I saw a bright red cardinal. And I started remembering what it's like to have birds building nests in our yard, and baby birds chirping in the trees. And, just like that, my love for the trees was re-kindled.


Living where we do has changed our lives in so many ways.....including where we find inspiration. I find myself being inspired by the beauty of nature and the changing seasons, at least in part because I am surrounded by it! So this one's for the birds.....(and I mean that in the best way possible...!)  :)



Macaroon Nests
3 large egg whites
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp kosher salt
1 (14 oz) package sweetened shredded coconut
1/2 cup white chocolate chips
speckled jelly beans

1. Heat oven to 325. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Whisk together egg whites, sugar, vanilla and salt until glossy and the sugar is almost dissolved.
3. Fold in coconut, stirring until evenly combined.
4. Using a 1/8 c measuring cup or ice cream scoop, drop the batter in mounds 1 inch apart on baking sheet.
5. Bake 12 minutes, then flatten the center of each using a small spoon.
6. Rotate baking sheets and bake an additional 12 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool completely.
7. Melt white chocolate chips and spoon 1 tsp. into the center of each macaroon. Top with 3 jellybean "eggs".

(Adapted from Real Simple Magazine)

Enjoy!  
 
      

Looking for another delicious holiday treat recipe? Check out my Little Sweethots!



Thanks for taking a peek inside my Lemon Tree Dwelling!
I hope you feel right at home :)
-Cathy   


51 comments :

  1. These look so cute. And so good. ☺ Spring must be on the way. PLEASE!?

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    Replies
    1. Thanks!! I'll bring some for you tomorrow. Didn't I hear about snow later on today.....? :(

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  2. So so cute! Thanks for sharing!

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  3. These are sooo cute!! Do they taste like regular coconut macaroons?

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Diane! Yep, they taste like regular coconut macaroons but the white chocolate adds a lot!

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  4. These look so festive and springy! And I love coconut :) Visiting from TGC! Jen @ www.eatsleepmake.com

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for the comment, Jen! So glad you stopped by!

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  5. Hello Cathy!
    I'm stopping by from Mop it up Monday - these are so cute! I pinned them to my Easter board :)
    Happy Monday!
    ang
    http://jugglingactmama.blogspot.com

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  6. These look delicious and festive! I'm visiting from Craft-O-Maniac.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Christy! They've been a hit around here!!

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  7. These are absolutely adorable! Plus, I love me some coconut. :) I know if I make these, the husband will leave them alone... More for me!

    toddlindsey.com

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    Replies
    1. Haha...same here! But the kids keep getting into them...darn kids ;)

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  8. These are so cute, and look yummy! Pinning this for Easter :) I'm also now following you via GFC. Have a great night!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Shandy! So happy to have you! I'll come visit you soon too!

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  9. My mother-in-law makes edible nests for the kids on Easter and they love it!

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    Replies
    1. They really get into the cute things...who doesn't, I guess.... :)

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  10. Those look fab, my two don't like chocolate coated cereal nests but will love these.

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  11. The look so cute! I had made similar cookies in the past, but they were more cute than yummy. Pinning these to try this year :)

    Paula
    lifeasweknowitbypaula.blogspot.com

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  12. Macaroons are one of my favorites! and these look like the perfect Easter treat! Thanks for sharing!

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    Replies
    1. Glad you found them, June! Hope you enjoy if you decide to make them! They're very quick and easy :)

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  13. Oh yum those look so awesome and so cute!!

    Stopping by from WW Blog Hop.

    Alexis from Running Away? I'll Help You Pack!

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  14. Ok so now I KNOW I couldn't make these for fear I'd eat them all - no self control. I do love how festive these look - perfect for Easter or a Welcome Spring party!

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  15. These are SO CUTE, Cathy!! Pinned ;) Thanks for sharing :*)

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  16. Macaroons are my hubbie's favorite. I like them too. These are so cute for Easter. Thank you for sharing.

    We may have met by chance...but we become friends by choice.
    http://simpleesue.com/try-one-new-recipe-a-week-mac-n-cheese-bacon-grilled-cheese-sandwich/

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  17. So pretty! Pinning to the Monday Funday pin board! Thanks for sharing!

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  18. These looks so cute. I wouldn't like them because of the coconut, but I bet my husband and kids would love them. These would have been great when we were doing our Nn: Nest unit. We made some nests but they didn't look as cute as these.
    This week my Kids and a Mom in the Kitchen features your No-Bake Mint Oreo Meltaways. We loved making them for our Green Treat leading up to St. Patrick's Day. I included a link back to your post.
    I would love if you could stop by and share these on this week's Kids and a Mom in the Kitchen.
    http://totsandme.blogspot.com/2013/03/kids-and-mom-in-kitchen-38-no-bake-mint.html

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  19. Leanne @ and away we goMarch 14, 2013 at 8:12 PM

    These are great! My mom's favourite treat... she will be thrilled! I just found your site through the pinterest power party... now I'm your newest follower!

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  20. Hi Cathy. Those look delicious. THank you for sharing. I have visited your site before and I am now following (thought I already was) :) Would love for you to stop by and visit. (Maybe we follow each other on Twitter?)
    Leslie
    www.thememorynest.blogspot.com

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  21. These are so pretty! I have never made macaroons before, but I am going to give this a try. I am pinning this-just too cute! Have a great weekend:)

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  22. These are so cute and fun. Like Shannon, I haven't made macaroons... it has always sounded way too hard. :) I'd be thrilled if you'd link up at this week's Off the Hook!

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  23. So super cute! I love these! Thanks for sharing at Pinworthy Projects.

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  24. your photo's are very pretty, springy and yummy cookies. andi

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  25. Oh my gosh, those are so adorable!! I am pinning this for sure :) Love the photos!

    Jody
    MommyMoment.ca

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  26. This is totally awesome! My girls would love "laying the eggs" onto the macaroon nests. I just need to pick up some white chocolate chips.

    Thank you for sharing! What a great little recipe (and craft rolled into one)!

    Tara
    www.suburble.com

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  27. Love these! Just so adorable. :)

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  28. Hi Lovely. I'm your newest follower from Blog Hop.
    Love to try out new recipe. Yum! Your blog is awesome.
    Feel free to visit and follow me @ www.revampspunkyrena.com

    xoxo
    Rena

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  29. Thanks so much for linking to Make the Scene Monday @ Alderberry Hill. You are being featured later tonight!
    I hope you are having a wonderful weekend, and join me tomorrow evening for Make the Scene Monday #66!

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  30. Hey Cathy! These are so cute! I love Macaroons! I would love for you to share this & any other recipes at my link party: http://dessertnowdinnerlater.blogspot.com/2013/03/sweet-savory-saturdays-4.html

    I hope to see you there!
    ~Amber @ Dessert Now, Dinner Later!

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  31. Adorable and yummy! Featured these tonight at Monday Funday!

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  32. SO cute! Pinned. Thanks so much for coming to (link) party with me... I hope you'll come again next week to Super Saturday Show & Tell! http://www.whatscookingwithruthie.com xoxo~ Ruthie

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  33. These look yummy!!

    Thanks so much for linking it up at our link party on Friday!

    We are featuring it on our blogs tomorrow morning!

    Ashley
    www.simplydesigning.net

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  34. These are adorable. I love the addition of the candy on top of a macaroon. Thanks for sharing on Thursdays Treasures.

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  35. You are welcome! Your macaroons are awesome! Yum! Thanks for linking them up!
    Kim

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  36. You are welcome! Your macaroons are awesome! Yum! Thanks for linking them up!
    Kim

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  37. Thanks for linking up this post to The Best Blog Recipes @The Weekend re-Treat!
    You’ve been featured on today’s 25 Easter Dessert Idea’s post!

    Hope to see you link up again at the party this weekend!

    Shauna
    http://thebestblogrecipes.blogspot.com/
    http://ready2loseweight.blogspot.com/

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  38. gluten free and almost dairy free- thank you!! can't wait to enjoy! Happy Easter.

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