Celebrate the beginning of spring with these Coconut Macaroon Bird Nest Tarts. The toasty and chewy textures of coconut macaroons are combined with a light and refreshing dairy-free lemon custard to make these mini tarts. Top the macaroon tarts with your favorite berries for a fun, spring-themed dessert that is perfect for Passover, Easter and other spring celebrations!
Paleo Coconut Macaroon Tarts with Lemon Custard
These little lemon custard filled tarts are not only lovely, they are also paleo. Which means they are dairy-free, gluten-free and refined sugar-free! So they are definitely a healthier dessert that can be enjoyed during Passover.
Coconut Macaroon Bird Nest Tart Recipe

Coconut Macaroon Bird Nest Tarts
These Coconut Macaroon Bird Nest Tarts filled with lemon custard and topped with fresh berries are sure to delight your holiday guests! {Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Refined Sugar-Free, and Kosher for Passover}
Ingredients
Dairy-free Lemon Custard
- 1/2 cup full fat coconut milk
- 2 egg yolks
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 2 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tsp lemon juice
Coconut Macaroon Bird Nests
- 2.5 cup unsweetened flake coconut
- 4 egg whites
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
Instructions
To Make Dairy-Free Lemon Custard
- Fill a medium size saucepan half full with water. Make a ring out of aluminum foil and place in water. Heat water until simmering gently. Click here for photos of the entire process of making the lemon curd
- Whisk together coconut milk, egg yolks, lemon zest, lemon juice and maple syrup in a medium size bowl
- Place bowl with coconut milk mixture onto aluminum foil ring in the simmering water
- Whisk mixture gently until the custard thickens. (Approximately 10 minutes, custard will be approximately 160 degrees F)
- Poor thickened custard into a clean bowl. Be careful to not scrape sides where custard may have curdled. (This step ensures that custard does not need to be poured through a sieve)
- Cover custard with parchment paper to prevent a skin from forming and refrigerate until completely cold (at least 2 hrs). Custard can be made up to 48 hours ahead
To Make Bird Nest Macaroons
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking liner. Click here for photos of the entire process of making the coconut macaroons
- Whisk egg whites and maple syrup until frothy
- Add shredded coconut and stir until entirely coated with egg white mixture
- Using a 1.5 tablespoon cookie dough scoop, scoop coconut macaroon mixture onto prepared baking sheet
- Press the middle of the macaroon mound down with the back of a spoon to form an indentation
- Using your fingers, shape macaroon mixture until it resembles a bird's nest. (Mixture will not be too sticky and will easily separate, so simple place coconut pieces where you want)
- Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until golden brown
- Cool macaroons completely. Macaroons be stored in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hrs
To Assemble Bird Nest Tarts
- Immediately before serving, top nest-shaped coconut macaroons with a heaping teaspoon of dairy-free lemon custard
- Top custard filled nests with fresh berries to resemble eggs
- Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 16Amount Per Serving: Calories: 143
Nutrition information (per tart, 16 servings total):
- 143 calories
- 1 g added sugar
- 3 g fiber
- 2 g protein
- 21 mg sodium
- 13 g fat
Pin recipe for later:
Jessica Robinson
Monday 26th of March 2018
These are absolutely adorable and beyond delicious!! Love coconut, then add lemon custard and a few blueberries, oh Yum! I've pinned for later!
Meredith
Monday 26th of March 2018
Thank you Jessica! I hope you enjoy the tarts!!
Lizzie Streit
Friday 23rd of March 2018
Lemon and blueberry is my favorite combo!!! And of course I love coconut :-). Can't wait to give these a try!
Meredith
Friday 23rd of March 2018
Thank you Lizzie! I hope you enjoy them!
Cindy
Thursday 22nd of March 2018
So cute! These make perfect little nests!
Meredith
Thursday 29th of March 2018
Thanks Cindy! Yes, the macaroon mixture is so easy to shape into nests.
Jenny Shea Rawn
Thursday 22nd of March 2018
Gosh these are adorable! Pinning to make with the kiddos!
Meredith
Thursday 22nd of March 2018
Thanks Jenny! They are super easy... my 7 yo asked if I could fill the nest with chocolate, so I think there might need to be another variation!
Katie Pfeffer
Wednesday 21st of March 2018
These couldn't be more adorable! I love the combination of blueberry and coconut!
Meredith
Thursday 29th of March 2018
Thank you Katie! Blueberries, lemon and coconut are definitely a favorite combination!