Gluten-Free 'Almond Joy' Macaroons

Gluten-Free 'Almond Joy' Macaroons

4.3 of 5 (47)
member ratings
Nutritional Info
  • Servings Per Recipe: 30
  • Amount Per Serving
  • Calories: 73.3
  • Total Fat: 4.2 g
  • Cholesterol: 0.0 mg
  • Sodium: 11.6 mg
  • Total Carbs: 8.6 g
  • Dietary Fiber: 0.8 g
  • Protein: 1.3 g

View full nutritional breakdown of Gluten-Free 'Almond Joy' Macaroons calories by ingredient


Introduction

This version of macaroon cookies is reminiscent of the popular Almond Joy candy bars. In this recipe, pineapple replaces some of the sugar for natural sweetness, and egg whites are used in place of condensed milk for a lighter and healthier macaroon. This version of macaroon cookies is reminiscent of the popular Almond Joy candy bars. In this recipe, pineapple replaces some of the sugar for natural sweetness, and egg whites are used in place of condensed milk for a lighter and healthier macaroon.
Number of Servings: 30

Ingredients

    1/3 cup unsweetened crushed pineapple, well drained
    1 3/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
    3/4 cup sugar
    3/4 cup liquid or fresh egg whites (about 5 large whites)
    2 tablespoons cornstarch
    Pinch of salt
    1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
    30 whole almonds
    1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Tips

Love this recipe? Check out Marisa Churchill's cookbook Sweet & Skinny: 100 Recipes for Enjoying Life's Sweeter Side Without Tipping the Scales for more low-fat, low-sugar recipes to keep you slim while satisfying your cravings!



Directions

Put the pineapple, coconut, sugar, egg whites, cornstarch and salt into a medium saucepan and cook over medium-high heat, stirring constantly for 5 to 6 minutes, until all of the liquid has evaporated and the mixture is thick like oatmeal. (The mixture may brown along the bottom of the pan.) Remove from the heat, stir in the vanilla, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

To bake the cookies, preheat the oven to 350°F. Coat a baking sheet with pan spray or line with a silicone baking mat.

Scoop out tablespoon-sized balls of the mixture. Arrange the cookies on the baking sheet about 1/2-inch apart (they will not spread). Press an almond into the top of each cookie. Bake about 20 minutes, until the cookies are golden brown. Halfway through the baking time, rotate the pan for even baking. Cool the cookies for about 1 hour.

Melt the chocolate in the microwave. Spoon the melted chocolate over the cookies in a zigzag pattern. Allow the chocolate to harden. Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.


Serving Size: Makes 30 cookies

Member Ratings For This Recipe


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    Incredible!
    10 of 10 people found this review helpful
    I made this recipe for my daughter for her 29th birthday. It was a hit! She loved almond joy candy bars as a child but is now eating gluten-free. It was the perfect dessert for her! Thanks for sharing it on spark! - 7/9/14

    Reply from MARISACHURCHILL (7/9/14)
    I'm so glad your daughter enjoyed my macaroons. I too was a big Almond Joy fan as a kid, hence the inspiration/motivation to create a healthier/lighter version. Happy birthday to her, and thank you for taking the time to post your comment!



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    10 of 21 people found this review helpful
    Table sugar is as natural as pineapple. There's no difference as to its naturalness. It's great to cut back/out on both/either. Using the egg whites is great. I will leave out the pineapple that was never in Almond Joy. - 6/12/14

    Reply from MARISACHURCHILL (6/11/15)
    Correct, both are natural, what I mean is that sugar is empty calories while pineapple contains natural sugar so will give you sweetness ANDF provide vitamin C, bromelain and fiber. Plus has fewer calories per cup than sugar, so it's a great replacement for some of that sugar. :)



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    Good
    9 of 9 people found this review helpful
    I traded the sugar for Truvia, the unsweetened coconut for sweetened coconut and the semisweet chocolate chips for dark chocolate chips. This reduced the calories to 50 per serving. - 3/26/16


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    6 of 6 people found this review helpful
    I have made these multiple times and they are WONDERFUL! I used Truvia instead of the sugar and they came out delish! A hit for the whole family - 1/26/16


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    Incredible!
    5 of 5 people found this review helpful
    A new family favorite. - 6/29/14

    Reply from MARISACHURCHILL (6/29/14)
    It's one of my favorites too, and so much better for you than macaroons made with condensed milk! Glad you guys enjoyed my recipe. :-)



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    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
    I did not think the egg whites could be used as a substitute for condensed milk....but it worked and the recipe came out well.One tip....make sure the pineapple is completely drained. - 12/13/19


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    Great - 7/24/21


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    Great! - 6/30/21


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    Very Good
    Yum - 6/17/21


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    I have never put pineapple in a macaroon. Got to try this! - 6/11/21


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    Very Good
    Treat - 6/11/21


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    looks good - 6/11/21


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    Very Good
    Very good for a sweet treat - 6/11/21


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    Incredible!
    yum - 6/3/21


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    looks tasty - 5/10/21


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    thanks - 5/3/21


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    Loved these, I swapped the drizzle for 3 chocolate chips on top of each. My DH loves almond joys, but he loves Mounds too. So we skipped the almonds. Thanks for sharing this one! - 3/27/21


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    I love macroons Thank you! - 12/23/20


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    I do not have celiac disease so I am not concerned with gluten but these sound interesting. Thanks for sharing! - 11/23/20


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    loved it as a big fan of the candy bar - 11/22/20


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    :) - 11/6/20


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    Looks good - 9/26/20


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    Incredible!
    My fav candy as a dessert cookie. YES!!! - 7/5/20


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    Yum - 6/22/20


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    Incredible!
    Loved it - 6/11/20


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    These sound amazing but I won't be making them as I would lose control and eat them all - can't have cookies in the house right now :/ - 6/11/20


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    O.K.
    No - 6/11/20


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    I love the pineapple in it. That what makes this a great reciepe. - 6/11/20


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    These are delicious. I swapped out the pineapple for Stevia and worked well. - 6/11/20


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    Good
    not bad but the pineapple always makes my blood sugar go up. - 1/10/20


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    Great! - 10/24/19


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    fantastic taste - 10/2/19


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    In Latin, gluten means “glue†and that's exactly what it is: two proteins, gliadin and glutenin, stuck together. Gluten is found in wheat, barley and rye, which means it is in a myriad of products, from the usual suspects like bread and bagels to those that are not nearly so obvious.Aug 30 - 8/24/19


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    super duper! - 8/6/19


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    Incredible!
    yum - 7/25/19


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    Very Good
    Thanks for sharing - 7/25/19


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    Incredible!
    yum - 6/12/19


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    thanks - 6/11/19


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    Incredible!
    I always loved Almond Joy These really hit the old flavor - 6/11/19


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    yummy - 6/11/19


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    Awesome recipe! - 6/11/19


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    Incredible!
    FABULOUS!!! - 6/11/19


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    Allergic to coconut - 12/12/18


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    I have been reading the reviews and I think I will like these if they taste like an Almond Joy Bar. - 12/4/18


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    These are good cookies, but I don't see where you can call them gluten-free, unless you're the sort who calls baked potatoes gluten-free. No ingredient needed to have gluten removed. - 11/19/18


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    Very Good
    enjoyed these - 11/5/18


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    Very Good
    This is a great alternative! - 11/5/18


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    so very good - 11/5/18


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    Not bad. - 10/27/18


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    Very Good
    Tasty. - 10/13/18


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    Wow! what a great sounding cookie being healthy and would be tasty. These would be better than store bought ones. Thanks for sharing. - 10/13/18


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    tasty - 10/2/18


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    Sounds good. Not sure about the pineapple in a macaroon though... - 9/7/18


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    looks so good need to find a subsitute for pineapple - 8/26/18


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    yummy... - 8/22/18


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    Incredible!
    I made as it and it turned out great. We love them. - 7/17/18


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    I tried and will make again - 6/17/18


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    Incredible!
    Really yummy! - 6/12/18


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    Incredible!
    Delicious - 6/11/18


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    Incredible!
    Yum! - 6/11/18


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    I made these for my grandchildren and they loved them. They didn't realize they were eating something made from a healthier recipe. - 6/11/18


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    NICE - 6/11/18


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    Look good - 6/11/18


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    Incredible!
    This Gluten-Free 'Almond Joy' Macaroons Recipe is absolutely delicious!! - 6/11/18


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    Incredible!
    I love making this Gluten-Free 'Almond Joy' Macaroons Recipe! Yummy!
    - 6/11/18


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    Good
    good - 6/11/18


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    This looks delicious. I'm expect it will become a favorite. - 6/11/18


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    Incredible!
    Sooooo good, have to be cautious that I don't overeat being diabetic - 6/11/18


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    delicious! DD loves these. - 6/11/18


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    O.K.
    1/3 cup pineapple isn’t enough to worry about getting vitamins from, don’t use it if you don’t like it. Unsweetened coconut is like sawdust........ - 6/11/18


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    Incredible!
    love this recipe - 5/14/18


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    Incredible!
    Great desert for the daughter that is Gluten intolerant - 5/8/18


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    Incredible!
    NICE! - 5/3/18


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    These were really good. - 4/23/18


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    nice - 1/27/18


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    Candy bars! - 12/31/17


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    You can use a sugar substitute. - 11/2/17


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    looks delicious - 10/24/17


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    Lovely! - 10/21/17


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    Looks great - 10/21/17


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    Good
    Pretty good. I would make again. - 10/4/17


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    I can't wait to try this! - 9/28/17


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    Sounds so good!
    - 9/22/17


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    Bad
    I see the nutritional value but I do not see the serving size or portion?????? Why? - 9/21/17


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    Great recipe - 9/19/17


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    Love these - 8/27/17


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    Amazing - 8/11/17


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    Love - 8/3/17


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    Nice recipe - 8/1/17


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    looking yummy - 7/29/17


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    Very Good
    Very good and easy recipe! - 7/27/17


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    thanks for posting - 7/2/17


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    Incredible!
    I really love the taste and texture of these cookies! They are awesome with a cup of tea! - 6/14/17


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    Incredible!
    Made these and love them. I love Almond Joys and these are just like them but better. Thank you for the recipe! - 6/12/17


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    z - 6/11/17


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    I haven't tried these. If I can figure out a subsitute for the almonds, I may give them a try and also share with my gluten free friend. - 6/11/17


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    Wish I had one! - 6/11/17


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    Incredible!
    So much better than the real Almond Joy treat, which I enjoy coconut! This went over so well with less the calories. It a staple for girls' gatherings. The pineapple was a different twist and I was a tad concerned initially. Worked out quite well. - 6/11/17


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    Looks good! - 6/11/17


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    Very Good
    we love these ...so easy and what a treat - 6/11/17