Our last item in MARY’s secret ingredients spring box is the hazelnut or dark chocolate Loacker Quadratini, the number one wafer cookie in Italy. Now this cookie is so good, it really doesn’t need anything but you and your mouth. Many of you have written on your social pages that this cookie package was the first thing you dug into and most likely polished off the full bag in one sitting. It’s easy to do. They are great, of course with ice cream or even crushed on top of yogurt, ice cream or sorbet. So honestly, I was stumped to come up with something more to enhance these cute little squares until I came up with this idea – Coconut Macaroons with a Quadratini Surprise!
We were having our dear friends, Maria and Joey, over for dinner last night and these Coconut Macaroons with a Quadratini Surprise were our dessert, along with some blood orange and lemon sorbet, garnished with a strawberry. I really wasn’t sure if this recipe idea was going to work, but amazingly, it did!! The Quadratini still held their crunch and with the surprise chocolate or hazelnut burst, they were awesome! Needless to say, this dessert was memorable. We all ate too many and talked about it this morning (they spent the night – and it’s always a good sign when you talk about a dish again in the morning) but nothing that a brisk walk or gym workout wouldn’t take off today.
For those of you who didn’t receive the spring box, you can certainly make these cookies without the Quadratini surprise, although I highly recommend this inner delight! Much better than just coconut throughout. Here’s the recipe.
COCONUT MACAROONS WITH A QUADRATINI SURPRISE – makes 20 – 22 cookies
14 ounces sweetened shredded coconut
14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
2 extra-large egg whites, at room temperature
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
20 -22 Loacker Quadratini Dark Chocolate or Hazelnut cookies
Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Combine the coconut, condensed milk, and vanilla in a large bowl. Whip the egg whites and salt on high speed in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment until they make medium-firm peaks. Carefully fold the egg whites into the coconut mixture.
Drop 1 teaspoon of the batter onto sheet pans lined with parchment paper, place a Quadratini wafer cookie in the middle and cover with another teaspoon of cookie dough to cover up the inner cookie completely, especially on the sides. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until golden brown. Cool and serve.
Serve with LOVE and enjoy all the compliments!
What a difference a pie makes…
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Mother’s Day Dinner with Cornish Hens and Sauerkraut 
Fun memories and delicious macaroons! Cute to put the quadratinis inside!
🙂 ela
Thanks Ela!! 🙂
This is clever, Mary. I love coconut macaroons but I never thought to add a chocolate center.
Jovina Coughlin recently posted…Seafood For Dinner
Thanks Jovina – it worked out really well!!
So creative, love this idea. It’s been years since I’ve had a coconut macaroon, love the delicious surprise in the center.
apuginthekitchen recently posted…Crunchy Nutty Granola And Mary’s Secret Ingredient Box
Well you know, you gotta have some chocolate with all of that coconut and this is easier than drizzling chocolate on top!
I’ve never stuffed a macaroon before but I’m going to now! These tickle my fancy!
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef recently posted…Fabulously Fudgy Brownies
🙂 Cute eh??
I love coconut macaroons, actually, coconut-most-anything but have never heard of those quadratinis. Where would I buy them? Nice that you covered them with that coconut blanket. 🙂
Pat recently posted…Super-Foods Salad with a Lemon Honey-Mustard and Chia Seeds Dressing
Hello Pat – You can find Quadratini on Amazon or go to http://www.loacker.com/usa and check out the store locater. They are new to the USA, so best to call before you make a trip.
Fantastic idea! I bet that little crunch inside the chewy macaroon is really delightful
Bam’s Kitchen recently posted…Citrus Crepes with Chocolate Orange Ganache
YES! It worked out really well!! I was surprised and delighted!
That centre secret ingredient must have made these treats really awesome!
Tandy | Lavender and Lime recently posted…Tart Au Citron | Lemon Tart Recipe
Totally – it worked out so well!!
I do believe this is the first time I see a macaroon with a surprise inside 🙂 The waffers looks like a perfect choice.
Thanks Evelyne – they did turn out quite nice!
Oh, WOW, I love this idea!!! I adore macaroons and a sweet surprise in the center sounds amazing!
Liz recently posted…Key Lime Pie Bars #GuestPost #SkinnyTip
Liz – I think this one is right up your alley!!
can there be anything better than these lovely chocolaty coconut macaroons….this is our new favorite cookie treat hands down…innovative and tempting recipe,thanks 🙂
Kumar’s Kitchen recently posted…Bhuna Baingan Aloo Da Bhurta, Spicy Mashed Eggplant & Potatoes
So glad you agree!! Thanks!!
I love the look of these. They’re gorgeous and I’m so glad they worked out for you. I love the way macaroons have so much flavour yet require so few ingredients xx
Hotly Spiced recently posted…Lucky 13
Totally – very interesting isn’t it Charlie? I love things so simple you can make while guests are around talking and visiting and it’s no problem, don’t you?
What a yummy and delicious surprise!
The Squishy Monster recently posted…Strawberry Balsamic Sundae
Thank you!! They were yummy!
A very clever idea. What’s not to love about a macaroon stuffed with a surprise bite in the center. Deliciousness!
Ansh recently posted…Pineapple Avocado and Pink Grapefruit Salad
Thanks Ansh!! 🙂
What a genius idea Mary Frances!
Heh! 🙂 Thanks Lidia!!
what a clever idea! I am glad that it turned out so well. It sounds delicious. It is always intriguing to see how people put ordinary things and make something extra ordinary. Especially something that tastes good! Nice job!
Holly | Beyond Kimchee recently posted…Orange French Toast
Thanks Holly!!
LOVE your French toast!
These look so yummy!! I totally want one 🙂
Lilly Sue recently posted…The New and Improved P17
Thanks Lilly Sue!! 🙂
These look awesome! I had shredded coconut chocolate for the first time last week. Gotta try it with macarons too now.
Dattani recently posted…Recipe: Chole Masala (Indian Cooking)
Chocolate coconut?? Sounds divine!!