Monday, April 09, 2007

Almond Macaroon Easter Nests


2 c. all purpose flour
1 T. baking powder
1/4 t. salt
3/4 c. butter, softened
8 oz. brick light cream cheese
1 c. sugar
3/4 t. almond extract
1 pkg. (7 oz.) sweetened coconut
red and yellow food coloring
120 pastel colored Jordon almonds or almond M&M's
Oven temp. 350º
Mix dry ingredients together in a medium bowl. Beat butter and cream cheese together in bowl of mixer. Add sugar and almond extract and beat until fluffy. Gradually beat in flour mixture and 1 c. coconut. Cover and refrigerate 45 minutes or until firm enough to handle.
Meanwhile, pour 1/2 c. coconut into two containers and the remaining coconut in a bowl. Add 1 drop red food color to one container and 1 drop yellow to the other container. Mix until color is distributed and even. Pour both colors into bowl with plain coconut and toss to mix.
Heat oven to 350º. Divide dough in half and put 1/2 back in refrigerator. Roll dough into 20 equal size balls. Roll each ball in coconut mixture and place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Press 1 almond into each. Bake for 12 minutes. Remove and add other 2 almonds then bake 4 to 5 minutes longer. Cool on racks. Repeat with other half of dough (or just eat it). Enjoy!

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

They look incredible!

Barbie Girl said...

I realize Easter is over but I so just found what I will be baking this weekend.

Crystal Cantrell said...

This sounds like a good recipe but it's kind of sad because the eggs are cracked.

craftydabbler said...

These are the absolute cutest Easter treat I have ever seen. I think it is just fine that the eggs cracked, it makes me think that they are hatching.

Scarlet Tanager said...

That's exactly the way I think of them, as hatching eggs. As a matter of fact, if they aren't cracked when I pull them out of the oven, I put them back in for another minute so they do crack.