Lemon Macaroon Tartlets (Cooking Light, 1994)

My mother had such a difficult time finding this recipe, that she finally wrote to Cooking Light and asked them if they could send it to her.  Here is the original recipe for Lemon Macaroon Tartlets from the 1994 issue of Cooking Light.  They were delicious this Easter!



Ingredients for Macaroon Tart Shells 

2 cups flaked sweetened coconut 
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 egg whites
Vegetable cooking spray


Ingredients for Lemon Filling

1 egg, lightly beaten
3/4 cup sugar
1 Tbsp plus 2 tsp cornstarch
1/2 tsp grated lemon rind
1/3 cup water
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
2 drops yellow food coloring (optional)
Whipped cream topping
2 Tbsp flaked sweetened coconut, toasted


Directions for Macaroon Tart Shells

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
In a bowl, combine first 5 ingredients (coconut, sugar, flour, vanilla, egg whites) and stir well. 
Coat 12 muffin cups with cooking spray, then divide mixture evenly among them, pressing the mixture into the bottom and sides of the muffin cups.
Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes until edges are browned.  Cool 2 minutes in pan on a wire rack, then remove from pan, and cool completely on the wire rack.


Directions for Lemon Filling

Place egg in mixing bowl; set aside. 
Combine sugar, cornstarch, and lemon rind in a saucepan and stir well. Gradually add lemon juice; stir with a wire whisk until blended.  Bring to a boil over medium heat and cook 1 minute, stirring constantly.  
Gradually stir one-fourth of hot lemon mixture into the bowl with the egg, then add the egg mixture in the mixing bowl back to remaining lemon mixture, stirring constantly.  Cook over medium heat 1 minute or until thickened, stirring constantly.  
Pour mixture into a bowl, and stir in food coloring if desired.
Place plastic wrap on surface and chill.
Stir 1 Tbsp plus 1 tsp of lemon mixture into each macaroon shell.  Top each with 2 tsp whipped topping, and sprinkle with 1/2 tsp toasted coconut.




Yield: 1 dozen tartlets



Nutrition info for tart filling - Calories 204 (32% from fat) / Protein 2.1g / Fat 7.2g / Carb 34.1g / Fiber 1.1g / Chol 18mg / Iron 0.6mg / Sodium 66mg / Calcium 9mg



Nutrition info for macaroon crust - Calories 133 (40% from fat) / Protein 1.4g / Fat 6g / Carb 19.2g / Fiber 1g / Chol 0mg / Iron 0.5mg / Sodium 53mg / Calcium 3mg