Coconut Macaroons (Filipino Style) And My First Ever Giveaway!! (Giveaway Now Closed)

That's right! The major role you guys play in this blog post is that you guys get to enter my first ever giveaway!! Let me explain a little bit about the giveaway, talk about this week's food creation, then back to the giveaway, okay? Once again, I was approached by CSN stores. Remember how I was able to review a product for CSN? Well, they're back and this time you guys get the opportunity to win something great in my FIRST EVER GIVEAWAY! Trust me, this is a great giveaway!! Definitely give CSN a look see. They have so many great products for your dining room such as Kitchen Tables, for your kitchen such as appliances and baking pans, and even things for dogs! They have so many websites specified to different products that the possibilities are endless. More on this giveaway later. Time for this week's food post.

For a coconut lover, coconut macaroons must be a top favorite because they are so jam-packed full of coconut. That slightly chewiness and "crunchy" texture from the coconut is to die for. However, these aren't any other macaroons. These are the Filipino Coconut Macaroons. I mean, basically all Coconut Macaroons use the same ingredients: eggs, sweetened condensed milk and coconut of course. However, the Filipino Coconut Macaroons are made in paper cups and sometimes a crust. Why did I decide to make these? When I made Granola weeks ago, I used coconut and when my mom saw that, she immediately said "Are you making coconut macaroons?". My mom told me that when she was living in the Philippines, at every wedding anniversary of her parents, her parents' cousins always served the Filipino Coconut Macaroons and it was her favorite. She described it as the same coconut macaroons but the difference was it had a crust to it. So, I went searching for a recipe like that one but no such luck. There was no recipe that contained the crust. I did find a recipe for Macapuno Tarts but my mom said it was different. So, I just made the Filipino Coconut Macaroons with paper cups as stated.

What was the result? These were chewy, had a nice crust to them, moist in the center and had a great texture from the coconut. However, it was a little sweet for my taste so I may reduce the sugar a bit in the future. Overall, really good recipe. My mom even liked it. The recipe will be at the end of this post!

Now, back to my FIRST EVER, SPECTACULAR GIVEAWAY!!! (Now Closed)

Like I said before, I was approached by CSN to do a giveaway this time. What's this SPECTACULAR GIVEAWAY you ask? CSN Stores is giving you the chance to win a $60 Gift Certificate for any of their online stores! Sounds fantastic, right? I don't exactly know what to do for a giveaway but I looked around at how other people formatted their giveaways and here's the criteria to enter:

You must be a follower of "AJ's Cooking Secrets" through the Google Friend Connect located on the left side bar of my blog to enter this giveaway. If you are not a follower, your entry and/or entries will not be counted.

You have THREE chances to enter!! (Be sure to place your email in your comment and, if entering multiple times, make different comments for the entries. It makes it easier for me)

1. Leave a comment stating what you would like to buy from CSN Stores with the fantastic $60 Gift Certificate along with your email.

2. Follow me on Twitter @aaronjohn04 and leave a comment below stating that you have become a follower. If you are already a follower of my twitter page, leave a comment stating that you are.

3. Become a fan/liker of my Facebook Fan Page : AJ's Cooking Secrets and leave a comment below stating that you have become a fan/liker. If you are already a fan/liker of my FB Fan Page, leave a comment stating that you are.

**If entering all three times, leave three different comments.

Important Guidelines:

-Must be a follower of this blog, "AJ's Cooking Secrets", through Google Friend Connect located on the left side bar for your entry/entries to count. Anyone who "enters" without being a follower of this blog will not be entered into the drawing.

-The Giveaway will last until Sunday, August 22, 2010 at 11:59 PM PST. The winner will be drawn using Random.org. The winner will then be announced in a blog post, on my facebook page and emailed that they are the winner. From there, the winner will be contacted by CSN Stores where you will receive a Gift Certificate Code.

Great giveaway, right? Remember, have your email in your comment!! The more entries you have, the better chance you have to win!! :DD Good Luck to all!!

Filipino Coconut Macaroons

Ingredients

14 oz. of shredded coconut

14 oz. can condensed milk

½ tsp vanilla extract

½ cup butter

½ cup light brown sugar

3 eggs

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Once butter has softened add it to mixing bowl and cream it by gradually adding sugar until blended. Then add vanilla extract, eggs and condensed milk. Mix all ingredients well. Once mixed, add coconut and stir into mixture using a spatula. Once all ingredients are incorporated spoon into mini muffin cups and bake for approx. 15 – 20 minutes until they are slightly golden brown on top.

-Aaron John

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