Totally or semi-indulgent, they're macaroon valentines - recipes

Sunset, Feb, 1988

Totally or semi-indulgent, they're macaroon valentines

If your love adores intense chocolate and coconut, these macaroon valentines are sure to win you favor.

Mix a simple dough loaded with coconut, shape it, and bake. Then dunk the macaroons in melted chocolate, coating them halfway for semi-indulgent cookies, or enveloping them completely for a really rich confection. Offer the sweets as a special treat or serve them for a simple Valentine's Day dessert.

Older children can make the macaroons easily with a little adult supervision.

Chocolate-dipped Macaroon Valentines

4 large egg whites

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla

2/3 cup sugar

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

3 1/2 cups lightly packed sweetened flaked coconut

8 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped

3 1/2 tablespoons butter or margarine

In a large bowl, beat egg whites with a mixer or whisk until frothy. Add vanilla, sugar, and flour; mix until smooth. Stir in coconut until evenly moistened.

On 2 well-greased 12- by 15-inch baking sheets, evenly space 1/4-cup portions of dough. Pat each into a flat-topped heart about 1/2 inch thick and 3 inches long. Bake in a 325| oven until macaroons are golden and only slightly wet-looking, about 25 minutes. Switch positions of pans halfway through baking. Transfer macaroons to racks and let cool.

Place chocolate and butter in a 1 1/2- to 2-quart pan; set pan over a slightly larger pan filled with about 1/2 inch water. Bring water to simmering over medium heat, and warm just until chocolate and butter melt; stir occasionally. Remove pans from heat; keep chocolate mixture over water.

One at a time, dip half of each macaroon in chocolate, tipping top pan and scraping sides to collect chocolate. (Save leftover chocolate for other uses.) Set macaroons slightly apart on waxed paper placed on a 12- by 15-inch baking sheet. Chill, uncovered, until chocolate hardens, about 45 minutes. Serve, or wrap each airtight in plastic wrap, then chill up to 1 week. Makes 10.

Chocolate-covered Macaroon Valentines

Follow directions for chocolate-dipped macaroon valentines, but increase chocolate to 1 pound and butter to 7 tablespoons. Holding by edges, dip macaroons completely in chocolate, turning to coat; set flat side down to chill.

Photo: Pat coconut-rich dough into heart shapes on well-greased baking sheets. When macaroons are cool, dip halfway in melted chocolate, tilting pan to pool coating

Photo: A kiss accompanies heart-shaped Valentine's Day gift for Mom