This food holiday celebrates a small coconut cookie big in flavor. Made from shredded coconut held together with egg whites, sugar and vanilla, macaroons are often dipped in or glazed with chocolate. They are known for their signature chewy texture and rich sweetness.

While the macaroon originated in Italian monasteries of the 16th century (the name derives from the Italian word "maccarone," meaning paste), this day is observed primarily in the USA.

The chewy coconut-based macaroon is distinctly different from the macaron, a delicate French almond meringue sandwich cookie that has its own food holiday on 20 March.