TWIX® Bites Coconut Macaroons

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For today's recipe, I have a new favorite to share!  Just about a year ago, I passed on a recipe Raspberry Coconut macaroons, which I love but can only bake during raspberry season.  I had some shredded coconut packages sitting in my pantry, and I was racking my brain on how to use them... and it came to me.  Chocolate!  Coconut and chocolate are perfect partners, and so I made up a recipe these awesome macaroons with TWIX Bites!  This is such a delicious cookie, and there are so many occasions for making this cookie because they keep well and look super enticing: bake sales, bridal showers, cookie swaps, road trips, and so on.  And of course, they are a fantastic every day cookie because they are super simple to make.  Want to know what they taste like?

You know when coconut is perfectly toasted and crispy?  Well, the outside of the macaroons satisfy that craving.  :)  The inside is chewy, moist, and sweet studded with pieces of the TWIX Bites.  Now, as for the chocolate, remember how a TWIX is pretty much the best candy bar?*  The chocolate and caramel melt together to create an oozy, delicious surprise.


* Seriously, during chocolate sale fundraisers in school, the TWIX always sold out first.  They were the "cool" candy bar!

Instead of unwrapping a ton of regular-sized TWIX, there is a new favorite way to enjoy TWIX...unwrapped Bites!  And remember last week, when I shared this Social Twist coupon?  Right now, you can still receive $1.00 off when you buy two 2.83 oz. (or larger) bags OR $3.00 off when you buy two 6 oz. (or larger) bags.  Score!

As always, I hit Walmart with my trusty coupon in hand.  Remember to print it out before you get to the store!

I found the TWIX Bites nestled between the Milky Way and Snicker's Bites.  Ooh, remember the recipes I made with those goodies?  The chocolate aisle might be my favorite new aisle for ingredients!

Oh, and remember the coupon that I mentioned above, where you can get $3.00 off when you buy two 6 oz. (or larger) bags?  Check out how much one bag is...  only $2.78!  That means that you can buy 2 for less than the price of 1!

Now, let's get to the recipe!

TWIX® Bites Coconut Macaroons
A Vintage Zest original
Makes 24 cookies

Ingredients

• 7.0 oz. package TWIX Bites
• 14 oz. (400 g) sweetened, flaked coconut
• 3 large egg whites
• 1/4 tsp. table salt
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions

1.  Chop each bite into 4 pieces.  I used 32 Bites, which left 5 in the bag for snacking.  :)

2. Preheat oven to 325°F.

3. In a food processor, blend the coconut for a minute.

Before and after Step #2

4. Add the egg whites, salt and vanilla extract.  Blend for another minute.

5. Add the TWIX and pulse in short bursts until it has been incorporated.  You might need to help the mixture a bit by scraping down the sides of the processor with a spatula.

6. With a size #40 cookie scoop (which is 1 2/3 Tablespoon or .75 oz.), scoop the cookies onto a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Note: I packed it firmly into the ice cream scoop because I wanted a slightly more dense macaroon, which is chewier.  For a lighter, more free-form macaroon, you can pack it lightly but it will be a bit crumbly on the sheet.

Note: The cookies can be spaced close together since they will not spread.  Also, my recipe made exactly 24 cookies, with just enough for a baby tester cookie.  :)

7. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until slightly browned on top.

Note: I baked these for 25 minutes to get a toasted outside.

8.  Cool on the tray for 10 minutes, until firm.  Remove any burned chocolate/caramel drizzles by snapping them off.  (Confession: sometimes I remove the ones that are not burned just to eat them like candy!)


And that's it!  No mixing, very little measuring, and the result is a perfect little cookie bite!

I just love these and they are perfectly sweetened little desserts.  It would nice to say that you can have just one and be satisfied, but I just know that you will be reaching for another after you finish your first macaroon!

How do you like your macaroons?  Light and airy or chewy and moist?