Pillsbury Bake-Off Countdown: Hummingbird Macaroons

You probably didn't need to be told that Hummingbird cake is simply the bomb. That might be a cheesy thing to say, but it's such a beautiful cake it moves me to corniness.

But did you know that hummingbird macaroons are also exceedingly amazing? If you didn't, it's time to give this recipe from Melanie Eichman of San Antonio, Texas a try. It yields soft cookies that are bound to make you hum with joy.

Hummingbird Macaroons

• Prep Time: 20 Min
• Total Time: 1 Hr 15 Min
• Makes: 30 cookies

Ingredients

• 1 roll Pillsbury refrigerated sugar cookie dough
• 1/4 cup mashed very ripe banana (1 small)
• 2 cups flaked coconut
• 1/2 cup finely chopped dried pineapple
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• 1/2 teaspoon Watkins™ Ground Saigon Cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon Watkins™ Original Double Strength Vanilla Extract

Procedure

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Let cookie dough stand at room temperature 10 minutes to soften. Line cookie sheets with Reynolds® Parchment Paper.
2. In large bowl, break up cookie dough. Add remaining ingredients; beat with electric mixer on medium-low speed 1 to 2 minutes or until well blended. Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart on cookie sheets.
3. Bake 11 to 16 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Cool 3 minutes; remove from cookie sheets to cooling racks. Cool completely, about 15 minutes. Store covered.

Note: the Pillsbury Bake-Off is coming in November! Check out my coverage of the 45th and 46th Bake-Off, and follow the recipes posted so far by clicking the bakeoff tag below.

Comments

[Melanie Eichman]

Wow! I was so pleasantly surprised to see my cookies in your journal entry. The Pillsbury Bake-Off Contest was such a great experience! Every contestant was so genuinely excited to be there. I met some great people including those within the Pillsbury organization, sponsor reps from my hometown HEB, contestants, and the family and friends of the contestants. While I didn't win the big prize, this cookie has been my most requested recipe this baking season. If you like coconut macaroons and hummingbird cake, please give this recipe a try. Go ahead, bake some love today.

Melanie Eichman