White Chocolate Dipped Lemon Macaroons Recipe

By
Carrie Vasios Mullins
Carrie Vasios Mullins is a contributing writer at Serious Eats.
Carrie Vasios Mullins is the former national editor at Serious Eats, with a focus on all things sweet.
Learn about Serious Eats' Editorial Process
Updated March 22, 2025
macaroon cookies on white plate

Stock: Gaelle Beller Studio / Getty Images

These macaroons are really steps above the plain version. Lemon zest adds a bright citrus flavor to the dough that's complemented by the sweet white chocolate bottoms. To make them truly dessert worthy, they're oversized, but if you'd like, this recipe can make 2 dozen regular sized cookies instead.

Recipe Details

White Chocolate Dipped Lemon Macaroons Recipe

Prep 20 mins
Cook 20 mins
Active 15 mins
Cooling Time 30 mins
Total 70 mins
Makes 12 giant macaroons
Cook Mode (Keep screen awake)

Ingredients

  • 3 cups (about 8 ounces) unsweetened coconut flakes

  • 1 packed tablespoon lemon zest, from about 1 large lemon

  • 1 cup sugar

  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

  • 3 egg whites

  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • 6 ounces tempered white chocolate, for dipping

Directions

  1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together coconut, lemon zest, sugar, and salt. Set aside. In a large bowl, whisk egg whites until frothy. Add coconut mixture and vanilla to bowl and use a rubber spatula to fold dough together until combined.

  3. Wet your hands. Take about 1/4-cup dough and form into a mounded ball. Use your thumb and forefinger to slightly pinch the tops, if desired. Place macaroon on baking sheet and repeat with remaining dough. Bake until macaroons are slightly golden on top, about 20 minutes. Let cool completely.

  4. For Dipping: Set up a station for dipping with cooled macaroons, parchment, bowl of tempered chocolate, and forks. Dip each macaroon into the chocolate, either by holding the top and partially submerging it, or rolling it in the chocolate using a fork. Shake off excess over the bowl, then place finished pieces on parchment to set up in a cool dry place.

Special equipment

Whisk, mixing bowl, parchment paper, baking sheet, double boiler

This Recipe Appears In

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
3248Calories
201gFat
356gCarbs
36gProtein
×
Nutrition Facts
Amount per serving
Calories3248
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 201g258%
Saturated Fat 163g814%
Cholesterol 36mg12%
Sodium 933mg41%
Total Carbohydrate 356g130%
Dietary Fiber 38g136%
Total Sugars 318g
Protein 36g
Vitamin C 12mg60%
Calcium 415mg32%
Iron 8mg45%
Potassium 1896mg40%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

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