Easy Cherry Macaroon Parfaits Recipes

CHOCOLATE-DIPPED CHERRY MACAROONS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside. Spread chopped cherries out on a paper-towel-lined plate. Set aside. In a large bowl, stir together coconut, sweetened condensed milk, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Then fold in the chopped cherries. This will turn the mixture a light pink color-just fold until the whole mixture is evenly colored. Sprinkle flour evenly over the mixture and then fold again to incorporate. With a stand mixer or hand mixer, with the whisk attachment, whip egg whites and salt on high speed until there are medium-firm peaks. Very gently fold egg whites into coconut mixture. Using a medium-sized cookie scoop (the one I used is 1-3/4 inches in diameter), pack the coconut mixture fairly tightly into the scoop, and drop the batter onto prepared baking pans. Place both pans in the oven and bake for about 30-33 minutes, or until golden brown and set, alternating pans halfway through the total baking time. Remove pans from oven and let macaroons cool on the pan for 5 minutes before removing them to a rack to cool completely. Line a pan with parchment paper and set aside. In a very small microwave-safe bowl, gently melt the chocolate in the microwave. Heat for 15-20 seconds at a time, stirring in between, taking extra care to make sure the chocolate doesn't scorch. Dip the bottom of each macaroon into the melted chocolate, so chocolate reaches about ¼ inch up the sides. Wiggle the macaroon so excess chocolate will fall back into the bowl. Very gently scrape the bottom of the macaroon across the lip of the bowl, from inside of bowl to outside, to let excess chocolate fall back into the bowl. Place chocolate dipped cherry macaroon on parchment paper lined pan. Repeat until all macaroons are dipped. Let macaroons sit at room temperature until chocolate is set, or place in refrigerator for 10 minutes to speed up the process. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for a few days. These also freeze very well in an airtight container with parchment paper separating any layers of macaroons.

CHERRY PARFAIT

Steps:

• Fill 1/2 cup pie filling into 4 tall glasses. Top with 1/2 cup frozen yogurt. Top with remaining pie filling and remaining yogurt and spoon whipped topping over the top. Sprinkle with nuts and serve.

MACAROON CHERRY PIE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to a 1/8-in.-thick circle; transfer to a 9-in. cast-iron skillet or deep-dish pie plate. Trim to 1/2 in. beyond edge of plate; flute edges. Bake 6 minutes; set aside. , Drain cherries, reserving 1 cup juice. Set cherries aside. In a large saucepan, combine sugar and cornstarch; gradually stir in cherry juice until blended. Bring to a boil over medium heat; cook and stir until thickened, 2 minutes. , Remove from heat; stir in cinnamon and food coloring if desired. Gently fold in cherries. Pour into crust. Cover edges loosely with foil. Bake at 400° 20 minutes., Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine first 6 topping ingredients. Stir in coconut and almonds. , Remove foil from pie; spoon topping over pie. Reduce oven to 350°; bake until topping is lightly browned, 15-20 minutes. Cool on a wire rack 1 hour. Chill 4 hours or overnight before cutting.

CHEERY CHERRY MACAROONS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• In a mixing bowl, cream sugar and shortening together.
• Add eggs and almond extract and mix well.
• Combine flour, soda, powder and salt and gradually add to creamed mixture.
• Stir in coconut and cherries, this will take a bit because the dough is very stiff.
• Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls 2 inches apart onto greased or non stick cookie sheets.
• Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until light golden brown.
• Cool on racks.

PRETTY CHERRY PARFAITS

Steps:

• Combine pie filling and extract; set aside. In a large bowl, combine sour cream and milk. Stir in pudding mix; beat on low speed for 2 minutes or until thickened. , Spoon half into parfait glasses; top with the pie filling. Repeat with remaining pudding mixture. Garnish with whipped topping, almonds and mint if desired. Refrigerate until serving.

CHERRY MACAROONS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs and extract; mix well. , Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture. Stir in the coconut and cherries (dough will be very stiff). , Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls 2 in. apart onto greased baking sheets. Bake at 375° for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on wire racks.