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Coconut Cookie Chicks

EAT ME!

chick cookie

Do it!

If you haven’t tried it, I highly recommend this macaroon recipe.

I know; you’re probably rolling your eyes at me because I highly recommend a lot of things. But that’s because every single recipe published on my site has been tested and approved by many people, not just me (and not just vegans or health-food eaters, either). I test the recipes on my family, my friends, their families… I will absolutely never post a mediocre recipe.

And more than one person has said this is the BEST macaroon recipe he or she’s ever tasted, vegan or not. So do not be afraid to serve the following to even the pickiest of Easter guests:

easter cookies

Coconut Cookie Easter Chicks!

Super-delicious, and super-adorable… although when my friend Allison saw them, she asked, “Katie, what’s with the owl cookies?”

Owls?

Seriously??

chick macaroons

I am NOT an owl!!!

Baring teeth smile

Anywhoos… I’ve re-posted the macaroon recipe below for your convenience, with the chick instructions listed at the end. The chick idea isn’t mine; I saw it in a Taste of Home Easter magazine at the checkout counter. (If I remember correctly, the magazine version used licorice, jelly beans, and chocolate chips to decorate their chicks.)

 

Baby Chick Macaroons

(Makes 12-14)

Category: Healthy Cookie Recipes

  • 1 cup shredded, unsweetened coconut (see below for a lower-calorie version)
  • 1 tbsp whatever flour you wish (such as ww pastry or even coconut flour)
  • 1/2 cup plus 2 tbsp lite canned coconut milk (or regular canned)
  • 3 tbsp agave or pure maple syrup
  • 1 packet stevia (or 1 more tbsp agave, and cut back on liquid)
  • 1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • tiny bit over 1/16 tsp salt

Combine all ingredients in a tall dish and microwave 3 minutes. (Or cook on the stovetop until it’s firm enough to scoop out in ball shapes.) Scoop into balls on a cookie tray (I used a melon baller, but a spoon or ice-cream scoop will work.) Cook at 360 F for 14-16 minutes. (Or maybe even cook the balls in the microwave?? But I haven’t tried this.) Let cool before removing from tray. Makes around 12-14 cookies.

Lower-Calorie Version

For chicks: Once cooled, get creative with whatever ingredients you have on hand. I used pecans, almonds, cacao nibs, and goji berries. No one says you have to make chicks… you can make bunnies!

vegan easter cookies

Or, um, owls.

This cookie-decorating project was so simple (and fun!) that I definitely want to make more macaroon animals. What about monkey cookies with pretzel tails? Or blending in spinach and making Easter cookie frogs?

I want to make friends for poor Fred the Frog.

Published on April 5, 2012

Meet Katie

Chocolate Covered Katie is one of the top 25 food websites in America, and Katie has been 
featured on The 
Today Show, CNN, 
Fox, The 
Huffington Post, and 
ABC's 5 O’Clock News. Her favorite food is chocolate, and she believes in eating dessert every single day.

Learn more about Katie

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123 Comments

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  1. Liz says

    Katie!
    You have outdone even yourself with the adorableness this time! I love them, and I’m definitely making them for Easter.

    • Liz says

      Oh, and you’re right about the macaroons, too.

      I have made them three times now, and the second time I gave one to my boyfriend and he STILL refuses to believe that they are vegan!

      😉

      • Sarahishealthy says

        So funny! I had the same experience with my mom when I made Katie’s macaroons. She just kept saying “this is vegan? No way. It tastes like a real macaroon!”
        Like vegan macaroons aren’t real or something? lol 🙂

  2. Samantha says

    So CUTE!

    I will get back to you on creations…once I make them! I laughed about the snowman comment because seriously, that could be possible where I live.

    Loved the little frogs. They could be peaceful little curled up cats?

  3. Stephanie @ Legally Blinde says

    Oh my goodness, these are SO adorable!!! Very creative – they would be so much fun to have on an Easter dinner table. This dessert could definitely double as a center piece! If people could resist eating them during dinner 🙂

  4. Miss Lebowski says

    So funny on reading my mind! I will have SO much fun with this!!! Almond beak? Pistachio beak? Pecan feet? Walnut feet? What else? Oh, and making bunnies? Hazelnut tail? Or better yet: chocolate chip (or chunk) tail? Currants for eyes? Or mini chocolate chips? Maybe I need to hold a macaroon chick and bunny fashion show?!?!?! :O Or I rather just eat them :-))

  5. Kristine says

    Using coconut flour these are kosher for Passover too!! Thanks for the recipe. I’m thinking chicks would be adorable at our Sedar!!

  6. Sarahishealthy says

    I am so excited to make these!!! I love the macaroon recipe, but I actually fogot about it because there are just TOO MANY of your recipes that I love! I need more time in the day to make them all. I will be making the chicks for Easter for sure… if I can wait that long, because now I have a huge craving for your macaroons and I don’t think I can wait til Sunday!

  7. Em says

    Oh awesome! I had no idea what I was going to bring to my friend’s Easter gathering on Saturday. I should’ve known I’d find the answer on my favorite blog :).

    • Emma the Hungry Hippie says

      Yay for coconut lovers! I made these macaroons and have to admit that 1/2 the dough never even made it into the oven ;).

  8. A.Cook says

    Wow–SO cute!!! Thanks for specifying that the recipe uses canned coconut milk (as opposed to the kind you pour on cereal)–it is not always as clear as one might think which one a recipe is calling for!

  9. Jasmin says

    So adorable! Bunnies would be so cute too! I have never had a macaroon… i think I need to try it though.. although I don’t really like dry cookies much either. and wow katie you dont like oreos?? me neither! and everyone gives me weird looks! lol!

  10. Jacqueline says

    THESE ARE SOOO CUTE! I love them!! Well, I’d have to say try making turtles-those are my favorite animal and the shape would lend itself well to the macaroons! YUM!

  11. Katie @ Nutrition in a Peanut Shell says

    These are so cute!! Seriously I’m in loove.

    You could make little pumpkins around Halloween time, Turkeys around Thanksgiving…the possibilities are endless!

    • Karen says

      Oh dear, oh dear… now I don’t think I can wait until Thanksgiving. I want me a pumpkin turkey macaroon!

  12. Alanna says

    Oh my goodness, how adorable!! I love the idea of adding spinach (well, not taste-wise, lol) and making frogs. Bunnies would definitely be cute, too. Hmm, what else… having trouble coming up with other Easter-themed animals! I love macaroons and have been meaning to try yours, but kept forgetting about them. As a side note, is everything working with your email subscriptions? I got the carrot cake post but not this one for some reason. I didn’t see it in my spam folder but it’s possible I missed it.

    • Chocolate-Covered Katie says

      Ugh.
      I do not understand my email thing :(. Yes, it skipped today for no apparent reason. You’re not imagining it… every now and then (once every few weeks?) it completely ignores the fact that I’ve posted something. I have no idea how to fix it.

  13. Natalie says

    What about bunnies with brazil nut ears and macadamia nut tails? So cute. Katie, when are you going to write a book???

  14. CherylK says

    I will take your word that it’s the best macaroon recipe and I’ll be making it, today! Macaroons might just be my favorite cookie. I love the chicks…too cute!

  15. Meg says

    Ahh these are absolutely adorable and who doesn’t LOVE a good macaroon. Both my boyfriend and my parents are obsessed with them so I will totally be making these adorable guys for Easter!

  16. Debbie says

    These look so good. Now I have to make them for Easter. They will make a great centerpiece. I’m thinking of dying some shredded coconut green and putting these chicks on it with some vegan chocolate bunnies.

  17. Kit-Kat says

    SOOOO CUUUUUTE!!! <3 <3 <3
    Anyways, I can invision making little pumpkins or turkeys for Thanksgiving! You could make the coconut orange or brown in colorr to make it more festive! You could also make snowmen, or a christmas tree!!!

  18. cammy says

    SO SO SO SO SO CUTE! Im making these for Easter but shaping them into nests, baking them, then fill with nondairy chocolate and top with some vegan jelly beans. Thanks for the ideal Katie I had no ideal of what to bring for a vegan dessert to Easter

  19. Katie Ann says

    I was just thinking that I so want to make these but have NO flour. But you know what I have? Oatmeal. I’ve read about people just throwing oats in a food processor to make oat flour, I assume that would work. Or I could always go down to a bulk bin at Whole Foods and get 1 TBSP of flour…

  20. Amber with Slim Pickin's Kitchen says

    First off, I adore coconut just about as much as I adore chocolate, so YAY for this recipe. Secondly, how flipping precious are those little birdies?!? So darn tootin’ cute. Thirdly, I’m obsessed with owls. I own owl everything. Owl checks, owl pajamas, owl jewelry so I am an unclassified owl expert. These do not look like owls. At all.

  21. Sharan {College Girl Eats} says

    I’ve been a longtime reader even though I don’t typically comment, but this was TOO FREAKING ADORABLE not to! So cute!!

  22. kate @eatrecyclerepeat says

    I think this is the best macaroon recipe I have seen so far, plus they are grain-free, egg-free, and SIMPLE! I’m usually not one for baking holiday-themed goods, but you have won me over! Thanks Katie 🙂

  23. Debbie P. says

    Oh, and when football season comes, would love to make an elephant!!! 🙂 A Crimson donned elephant for ‘Bama lovers – ooh, SO need it in time for September… 🙂 For now, am elated to be making these for Easter!!!

  24. LizAshlee says

    These are adorable! I have to make something like this with my niece..she would love it..we have been making a lot of crafts as I am visiting her this week…love your idea!

  25. Paula says

    Hey Katie! I love this recipe and I can’t wait to try it tonight. Quick question, could I make them with sweetened coconut as well, or should I get some unsweetened stuff at the store?

  26. Megan says

    These are too cute for words! Almost too cute to eat! I love making animals or characters out of food. My mom used to make snowman pancakes with chocolate chip eyes and buttons. It makes it all the tastier and all the more fun! You certainly seem like the person to have around for the holidays with all your themed desserts 🙂 Happy Easter!

  27. Ashley says

    I thought I was the only person who doesn’t like Oreos too! Nice to know someone else can’t stand them either!

  28. Anonymous says

    I prefer your choices of toppings, particularly the almond beak – too cute!
    I will make these for my guy’s birthday but will make them into robots (not sure how). I myself am a penguin fan. Perhaps, dipping the sides into melted dark chocolate??? Happy Easter to you if you celebrate it, and if not, happy weekend!

  29. Xanthe says

    Katie, don’t know if my iPhone is messing up your photo order but today this post is crazy! Yesterday it was fine with all the chick pics looking cute but today there are random carrot cake and other recipe photos inserted instead here and there. (eg in the pic with the caption i am not an owl there is now carrot cake in bowl i think, its kind of funny though!) Thought I’d give you a heads up in case something’s gone wrong…and I dot want anyone who didn’t catch the post yesterday to miss out on the cute little chicks. X

        • Chocolate-Covered Katie says

          But seriously, thanks for letting me know so I could watch in case it was a problem. I’ve had sidebar photos go missing, my header go off-center, entire pages disappear only for some readers… all sorts of weird things have happened before to my blog, so I really appreciate when someone takes the time to tell me of a possible issue :).

  30. Tinah says

    I saw a picture of this on Foodgawker.com and so I clicked the link. Your page came up and I yelled “Why am I not surprised!? Of course you would do something like this. I can’t wait to try this. Thank you for what you do, Katie. You rock.

  31. Susan says

    How do you make the decorations stay stuck? Size would be helpful, too since I think mine are too small to decorate.

  32. Alanna says

    These are so yummy! Just made them this morning, and they were seriously easy (just like all your recipes!). I probably could have left them in the oven a tad longer since the middles were still soft, but they held their shape enough to come off the tray and get into my belly. (c: I think my melon baller must be pretty small because I ended up with about 24 little cookies, but that’s just bonus as far as I’m concerned! (c:

  33. Dudette (Miss Lebowski) says

    I just made these yesterday! I even made a turtle and a cat, and egg baskets! Just posted pictures – certainly not as adorable as yours are, and I think it could’ve helped if I made them a bit bigger. But I had so much fun making them and they are seriously SO GOOD!!! Thanks for the recipe, Katie!!

  34. Dana says

    As cute as these are (and they certainly are), as macaroons are traditional Passover desserts, some acknowledgment of that fact (or of the holiday, in general) would have been very much appreciated :\

    • Kailee says

      This comment is SO rude and close minded :(.
      Dana, not everyone celebrates Passover, and so how would people who don’t know about the holiday even know that macaroons are a traditional Passover dessert? Instead of berating the blogger for something she probably didn’t know, and therefore of course didn’t mention, how about using it as an opportunity to teach something about your heritage/beliefs?

    • Sarah says

      Dana,
      Why would you assume that everyone who isn’t Jewish would know about the foods or traditions or customs? I had no idea macaroons were Passover foods, simply because no one ever told me. How would I know?

      Do you know what foods they serve for Kwanzaa? Or Fasika?
      Do you even know what Fasika is? (without googling it!)

      I’m not asking to be rude, so please don’t take it as such. I’m asking to help you understand what was wrong with the wording of your comment.

  35. Sandy says

    i tired these and my chickens fell apart when i went to put in the bits & pieces for the eyes and hair etc!
    What did i do wrong?
    🙁

  36. Noemi says

    I just made them. The taste was excellent but it did grow and it got stick to the pan. What happen? Was it the flour, was it 1 cup and not 1 tbsp? Help

  37. aisha says

    dispite i dont celibrate easter i want to make thease soo bad!! but i dont know i could get the pecan feet stick 🙁 if i used chocolate it would be delicious but it wont look like a chick anymore …maybe if i dunk the whole cookie in chocolate i could make a black bird lol thats another anmial hehe also you could dye the coconut green and make coconut mutant ninja turtles

  38. Logan Bachman says

    These look so cute and I want to make them for my Easter party tomorrow, but if you wait till the macaroons cool then how do you get the pecan feet to stick? 😀

  39. Jen says

    Hi Katie! I made these today, you macaroon recipe is AMAZING! so easy and so delicious!! for some reason, my chicks were not as cute as yours… but they were still super fun. Thanks for the idea 🙂

  40. Lucy says

    I made these yesterday. I had to microwave my mixture for a lot longer – I think a total of 5 or 6 minutes in 30 second increments after the initial 3. Apart from that, they were fantastic. Nobody could tell they were supposed to be chickens, but everyone agreed they were cute, and they could tell they were supposed to be birds. Most of us felt guilty tearing them limb from limb to eat them. I used some melted chocolate to stick the feet on, and that worked really well. As an aside, my husband laughed at me a lot over the first chicken I decorated, it transpires that the comb should run down the back of the head, not across the top :-O.

  41. Vegan Grammie Annie says

    Hey Katie,

    My little Grandaughter and I made these little chicks for Easter-a nice change from the labor intensive sugar cookies! Thanks!

  42. Nansi says

    I made these for Easter this weekend for the residents in my dad’s area of the nursing home he lives in. In my version I made them bunnies. I used mini jelly beans for ears, half walnuts for feet, melted choc chips for eyes, nose and mouth. Just didn’t do whiskers. LOL. They were a big hit. Only thing though, i tried this recipe 3 times, making small adjustments each time and each time they came out crumbly. Any suggestions on what I can do next time anyone?

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