Coconut Macaroons

Makes about 2-1/2 dozen

         4 large egg whites, about 1/2 cup
         1-1/4 cups sugar
         1/4 teaspoon salt
         1/2 teaspoon vanilla
         2-1/2 cups moist shredded coconut

         Preheat oven to 325°. Beat egg white until fluffy- about 1/2 minute. Stir in sugar, salt and
         vanilla. Then blend in the coconut.
         Drop rounded teaspoonfuls 2 inches apart on ungreased brown paper or parchment paper on
         baking sheet. Bake until set and delicately browned about 15-18 minutes.
         To easily remove cookies, remove paper with baked macaroons on it. Lay a wet towel on the
         hot baking sheet. Place paper of macaroons on towel and let stand 1 minute. Steam will loosen
         macaroons. Slip off with spatula.
         Variations:
         Chocolate-Coconut Macaroons- add 2 squares unsweetened chocolate, melted, before adding
         coconut to above recipe.
         Cherry-Coconut Macaroons- add 1/2 cup chopped candied cherries with the coconut to above
         recipe.
 

Coconut-Almond Macaroons

(make Coconut-Peppermint Macaroons by substituting peppermint extract for the almond extract.)
 
Makes about 3-1/2 dozen

         3 egg whites
         1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
         1/8 teaspoon salt
         3/4 cup sugar
         1/4 teaspoon almond extract
         2 cups flaked coconut
         9 candied cherries, each cut into fourths

         Heat oven to 300°. Cover cookie sheet with aluminum foil or cooking parchment paper. Beat
         egg whites, cream of tartar and salt in small bowl with electric mixer on high speed until
         foamy. Beat in sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time; continue beating until stiff and glossy. Do not
         under-beat. Pour into medium bowl. Fold in almond extract and coconut.
         Drop mixture by teaspoonfuls about 1 inch apart onto cookie sheet. Place 1 cherry piece on
         each cookie. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or just until edges are light brown. Cool 10 minutes;
         remove from foil to wire rack.