Raw Cranberry Orange Macaroons

Now that Thanksgiving is over, as far as I am concerned it is Christmas cookie season.  I have been dreaming about Christmas cookies afterall, since the beginning of November.  Just the cookies, not the cold and snow that comes with this time of year, that can wait.  Although I have quite a few ideas for cookies, I thought I would start with some macaroons.

 

So I cranked up some dancing music after work Friday, and got to work creating them! I was not going to make plain coconut macaroons, I thought I would jazz them up with some bright orange flavor and beautiful red cranberries!

The "dough" if you can call it that was pretty delicious.  I have to admit, there were a few less macaroons by the time they made it into the dehydrator.  They smelled amazing, like sweet coconut and orange. 

I decided to dip them in dark chocolate as well, no explaination needed there...I am sure you agree!  They were amazing with the chocolate!  I shared some with my Mother, who told me that I could just give them all to her.  I have a feeling I will be making more.

 

Raw Cranberry Orange Macaroons
Makes a dozen

Macaroons:
3/4 cup almond flour
1 Tbsp orange zest
a pinch of sea salt
1/4 cup raw agave nectar
2 cups finely shredded unsweetened coconut
1 cup dried cranberries

Chocolate:
1/4 cup raw cacao powder
1/4 cup raw coconut oil
2 Tbsp raw agave nectar
a pinch of sea salt

Place almond flour, orange zest, sea salt in the food processor and process until well combined. Add the agave nectar and pulse until the mixture holds together. Place the mixture in a bowl, and knead in the coconut and cranberries. Form the mixture into 12 balls, and place on a dehydrator sheet. Dehydrate for about 12 hours, or until they are dried, but not so much so that they are not a little chewy in the middle.
To make chocolate, whisk all ingredients together until smooth in a bowl and let sit until it thickens a little (about 15-20 min).  Lay out a sheet of foil on a sheet pan.  Dip each macaroon into the chocolate and place on the foil.  Once all dipped, put in the freezer to set.  Once chocolate has hardened, enjoy!