The best thing about the blogging community is how warm, supportive ‘n straight up awesome my fellow bloggers are. Have you met Nora of A Clean Bake? This lady used to run a blog named Buttercream Fanatic which was much like mine, full of butter ‘n sugar ‘n everything good for your taste buds but bad for your waistline (#sorrynotsorry). Unfortunately, Nora began dealing with digestive issues in early 2014 which resulted in her eliminating foods such as wheat, refined sugar and dairy from her diet. So, long story short – she’s changed the focus of her blog to clean eating to accommodate her health restrictions and also to help us all eat better. Nora’s recipes are wheat-free, refined-sugar-free and often vegan but you’d never be able to tell by looking at her photos. Everything is ridiculously drool-worthy. You gotta love that.
Not only is Nora’s blog amazing but she’s a wonderful person, through and through. She’s getting married soon so a few of us decided to throw this lovely lady a Great Gatsby-themed virtual bridal shower.
I wracked my brain for a looooong time deciding what to make for Nora. I wanted to ensure it was gluten-free and vegan, with little by way of sugar. In other words, a recipe antithetical to my blog and everything I personally stand for (just kidding).
I decided on these rich, decadent little nuggets of chocolate coconut macaroons. They meet Nora’s dietary restrictions and they’re easy to pop into your mouth at a bridal shower. Having been to a bazillion of them, I totally appreciate being able to cram bite-sized food into my mouth with only one hand (because the other hand is invariably gripped around a glass of booze). It’s the only way to celebrate!
In honour of Nora, I also had Leonardo DiCaprio make an appearance in this post.

Hey girl. It’s Leo. I’m super bummed I wasn’t the man to sweep you off your feet but here’s to you and your husband-to-be. Lucky bastard.
Chocolate Coconut Macaroons (adapted from Smitten Kitchen)
4 ounces chopped milk chocolate (or dark)
1 1/2 cups unsweetened coconut flakes
1/2 cup coconut sugar
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1 tbsp instant espresso flour (can be decreased to lessen the coffee flavour or omitted altogether)
3 large egg whites
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/3 cup ground almond flour
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
In a heatproof bowl, melt the chopped milk chocolate in the microwave (at 15 second intervals so as not to burn the chocolate) or over a saucepan of boiling water. Set aside to cool.
Using a food processor, blend the coconut flakes for approximately 1 minute.
Add the sugar, cocoa and espresso powder. Blend for 1 minute. I added a healthy, heaping tablespoon of espresso powder because I love mocha. If you don’t, omit the espresso powder altogether or just add one teaspoon (at the smaller amount, it won’t taste like coffee. It will simply enhance the chocolate flavour).
Add the egg whites, salt, vanilla, almond flour and melted chocolate. Blend until smooth.

The food processor does all the work. Ain’t it grand?
Place the batter in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. I found that it was fairly wet right after blending and it was spreading a bit. After chilling the batter, use a small cookie scoop (approximately 2 tablespoons) and scoop the batter onto your cookie sheet. Leave two inches of space between each scoop.
Bake for 13 minutes, until the tops are shiny and the cookies are just set. Remove from the oven and let the cookies rest on the cookie sheet for 10 minutes. They will continue baking on the sheet. Remove the cookies and place on wire racks to fully cool.
Seriously, these cookies are freaking easy to make and they’re fantastic. Super rich, moist, intensely chocolatey with a nice coffee kick, and chewy due to the coconut and almond flour. They’re the perfect little treat after a meal (or could constitute a meal if you’re anything like meal) and excellent chased down with a hot mug of tea or coffee.
Nora, break out the Dom, eat cookies and flirt with Leo before you become a married lady! I hope you’re enjoying every moment leading up to the big day. Love ya, girl!
Make sure to visit the blogs of all my friends to see what they made for today’s party:
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I love that Leonardo is joining the party. Girl, I love the way you styled these photos–very chic.
Any party with Leo is my kind of party!!! I love these cookies and want to google all!!
Lol – you always crack me up, Nancy. These chocolate coconut macaroons are calling my name. Love the addition of almond flour.
Ooooh, these look so glorious! I love how deeply chocolate these are (and coconut–totally winning combination 🙂
Holy yum! These look great and MAJOR props to you for getting Leo to be a part of our celebration! Gorgeous styling Nancy!
Aw, Nancy, you are so sweet. Thank you!!! For your lovely words, for these amazing cookies (chocolate macaroons are one of my favorite cookies…how did you know, you mind reader, you!?) and of course for Leo, my one and only girlhood celebrity crush. And omg these pictures!
SO CUTE! love the theme! and LOVE Leo in your food photo hahahaaaaaa I love you Nancy 😛 These macaroons look irresistible! so chocolatey and coconutty and mmmm
Bahaha Nancy I LOVE YOU and the fact that Leo is making an appearance in this post. This is all around amazing. FanTASTIC job on the styling too!! I want to dive right into these photos and join you in this totally retro-feeling, boozy, sugar-infused party vibe that I’m getting. Also, these cookies look amazing. So moist and just YUM. Yay for Nora!!!
I don’t know Nora but you guys are so sweet!! And these cookies. . freaking easy to make and delicious?!! Must bake these ASAP!! love!!
LOL. #sorrynotsorry! How truly generous and wonderful you are Nancy….Your friend Nora’s story is touching…And inspiring. As Californians and Boulderites tend to love gluten-free (and vegan) fare, so, I’m very grateful for your recipe….Personally, I love the “regular” stuff. #sorrynotsorry! Tee hee =)
Ha! I love the Leo cameo. He makes any post better. and bite size chocolate? Always a win in my book.
These macaroons look so rich and chocolaty! I laughed out loud when I saw Leonardo DiCaprio in these photos. So great! 🙂
It is impossible to go wrong with chocolate and coconut!
Wooow these look so addictive – a perfect sweet treat for a virtual party 😀
Love the photos!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
I think these might be my most favorite photos you’ve ever taken . . . primarily because of the Leo creeping in the background. A lot of people I know didn’t like that movie, but I LOVED it and am not ashamed to admit it. These macaroons look fantastic. Love the bit of espresso powder. Love how that stuff makes chocolate taste even better than it normally would!
A party with cookies and Leo? Count me in!!!
These look divine.
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