This season I’ve teamed up with Pavilions to show how to make your baking more delicious and your table setting more festive with less effort.

To start things off, can we talk about how much I love this Macaroon Bar recipe. It’s the updated and more chic version of the classic macaroon cookies. It comes together with just five ingredients and with one of them being my secret ingredient: the almond paste. It’s my secret ingredient to taking macaroons from good to great.

For the remaining ingredients I used Pavilions O Organics® line because it guarantees me the quality and taste to make my baked goods the best they can be. I used the O Organics® 72% Cocoa Dark Chocolate Chunks for the chocolate layer because their chocolate is never dull or flat tasting. For the coconut I used O Organics® Shredded Coconut and O Organics® Eggs because it guarantees me the best flavor and quality. Can you tell I’m a huge fan of O Organics®? I love the quality and the affordability of all of the products.

Now that I’ve given up that secret, let’s talk about another one that’s not only a time saver but is also cost effective: tablescape by way of Pavilions debi lilly design™. These products are available in my area exclusively at Pavilions stores, and you can also find them at all of the Albertsons Companies family of stores, including Albertsons, Safeway, ACME, Jewel-Osco, Vons, Randalls, Tom Thumb, Shaw’s, Star Market, United Express, United and Carrs/SafewayThe collection includes florals and table accents. It’s everything you need to make a beautiful setting while saving you time – no more running from one place to the next to gather all the things you need. You can now shop for your grocery and party decorating needs in one place. I put together the table’s center setting with inspiration from my recent visit to Pavilions’ Culinary Kitchens and Technical Center.

The trip not only highlighted the rigorous standards for recipe making and testing, but the company’s dedication to product innovation and high quality food with an increasing demand for more convenience. Did you know that you can now have them deliver groceries? Yep, it’s not everywhere yet, but stay tuned as it comes to a town near you.

That’s why this holiday season Pavilions is becoming my one stop shop for all things delicious and festive.

Macaroon Bars

Yield: 12 bars

Ingredients

1 cup sugar, dived use
3.5 oz. almond paste
4 egg O Organics® Organic Large Brown Eggs, egg white only

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4 cups O Organics® Organic Shredded Coconut

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7 oz. O Organics® Organic Bittersweet Chocolate Chunks

Instructions

Place 1/2 cup of sugar and almond paste in food processor bowl and pulse to fine a crumb. Mixture should resemble sand-like texture. Set aside.

In a stand mixer bowl, starting on low, beat eggs whites until large bubbles form. Continue to turn speed up to medium high and beat until mixture resembles well-lathered shampoo, about 2 minutes. Gradually add sugar. Once sugar is fully added, turn mixer to the highest setting and beat until mixture resembles marshmallow creme and stiff peaks form, about 3 minutes.

Fold in almonds paste mixture and coconut shreds. Scrape mixture into parchment lined 8x8 pan. Use an offset spatula and spread top to an even finish. Transfer to oven and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until bars do not give when center is pressed. If top starts to turn brown too much, lightly place a piece of foil on top.

Remove from oven and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely, about 40 minutes. Melt chocolate and spread on top; set aside to let chocolate set.