macaroon

/ˌˈmækəˌˈrun/

/mækəˈrun/

Other forms: macaroons

A macaroon is a cookie or small cake that's usually made with sugar, egg whites, and coconut shavings. Macaroons are soft, sweet, and chewy.

Macaroons are not the same thing as macarons, the brightly colored French cookies made with almond paste, sweetened egg whites, and various flavorings, but the words are closely related. The Italian dialectical root of both (as well as the word macaroni) is maccarone, which generally describes a variety of pasty foods, like dough or batter. Coconut macaroons are a popular Passover treat, and are sometimes dipped in chocolate.

Definitions of macaroon

1. noun

   chewy cookie usually containing coconut shavings
   types:

   ratafia, ratafia biscuit

   macaroon flavored with ratafia liqueur

   coconut macaroon

   macaroon containing coconut

   type of:

   biscuit, cookie, cooky

   any of various small flat sweet cakes (`biscuit' is the British term)