There certainly are a LOT of macaroon recipes out there – you know, out there (waves virtual hand in direction of cookbook shelves and beyond). So I thought I’d find something odd and strange and retro – new uncharted macaroon territory. Since it is National Macaroon Day, and all.
Where better to plunge into a retro-cuisine Brave New World than through the portal of the Pillsbury Bake-Off cookbooks? And I was not disappointed. I hope you won’t be either. Depends upon your feelings about orange sherbet and whether it belongs in a cookie or not, though.
I rather like the name of these loopy cookies. As in, “I sure bet they taste – different!” Oh, and I just realized: I think the lady who made these up was making a PUN. Sure bet. Sherbet. Oh, I get it. Cue the laugh track!
SURE-BET MACAROONS
1 pint orange sherbet
1 package (18 1/2 oz.) Pillsbury White Cake Mix
2 Tb almond extract
1 packages (7 oz. each) or 6 cups flaked coconut
OVEN 350 degrees ABOUT 72 COOKIES
In large mixer bowl, blend sherbet at low speed to soften slightly. Add dry cake mix and almond extract; blend until just thoroughly combined. Stir in coconut. Drop by rounded teaspoons onto greased cookie sheets. Bake at 350 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes until light golden brown. Cool 1 minute; remove from cookie sheet.
TIP: Any flavored sherbet can be used with Pillsbury Fudge, German Chocolate, Double Dutch or White Cake Mixes; lemon and pineapple sherbet may be used with Pillsbury Pineapple, Lemon and Yellow Cake mixes.
[From 100 Bake Off Recipes, 1969]
These are described as “quickies that freeze well,” which I could almost make a good joke about if I wasn’t getting a little – well, in need of some fresh air. Will go outside as soon as I post this and see if there is any.
It’s National Macaroon Day? Wow, my favourite day of the year. btw glad you like the scans, if you need anymore just let me know
Where in the world do you learn about these food holidays? I’m feeling a little bitter towards Woolworth’s and their Dailyaide diaries my mom used. They include the darned birthday for the founder of the KKK as a legal holiday, but omit Macaroon Day??? Come on, Barbara Hutton!
I usually bake from scratch, but this recipe sounds so kooky that I may make an exception. If I do, I’ll let you know how they turn out. I love orange sherbet.
I love sherbet and macaroons are my favorite cookie, but I don’t think I would try these. I’d rather have my sherbet in a bowl. I did make some macaroons once that used an angel food cake mix and they were good.
I can see how orange and almond would work well together, but mixing the sherbet seems like it could be a bit messy! Sounds like a possible Jackson Pollack event in the kitchen!
Good morning Lidian,
Well, you got one on me. I didn’t know it was Macaroon Day either. I saved your post for my next year calendar. Good thing macaroons never go out of style. I’m not much of a baker, but it seems a “sure bet” I could even bake up these “Gems.” Oh wait, that’s a different kind of bakery item.
GREAT post!
Amy – It’s one of my favorite holidays too!
Bill – There’s a couple of sites that deal with these weird holidays, here’s the one I like -http://www.tfdutch.com/foodh.htm
Rochelle – I agree. They ought to serve the sherbet alongside the cookies, not IN them.
T.W. – Yum, culinary found art!
Louise – They really ought to have a Gem day, but a lot of people would think it meant jewelry and not little muffins!
It’s a “sure bet” these can’t be any easier than a normal recipe for macaroons, but like Bill up there, I’d make them just for the novelty factor