Coconut Macaroons With a Cherry Top

My mother made these at Easter but the recipe wasn't written down. After much research, I worked with the recipe from Diane Rattay on About.com, and modified it to add the maraschino cherries like my mom did. Be sure to whip the egg whites thoroughly until stiff and glossy. A bonus is that these are a non-fat cookie.

• Ready In: 40 mins
• Serves: 36

Ingredients

• 2  egg whites
• 1⁄8 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 cup sugar
• 1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3  cups flaked coconut
• 1⁄4 cup all-purpose flour
• 18  maraschino cherries, cut in half, well drained
• 2  tablespoons maraschino cherry juice

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 300°. Line baking trays with parchment paper.
2. Place coconut in a large zip lock bag. Toss in 2 T. maraschino cherry juice and shake until coconut is pink. Set aside.
3. Cut 18 maraschino cherries in half. Drain on paper towels. Set aside.
4. Using a mixer, beat egg whites and salt at high speed until soft peaks form.
5. Sprinkle sugar in, 2 tablespoons at a time, beating well after each addition until sugar is completely dissolved (allow 2 minutes after each addition of sugar). Whites should be in stiff glossy peaks when you're done.
6. Beat in vanilla. With a rubber spatula, fold in coconut and flour.
7. Drop coconut by rounded teaspoon about an inch apart onto the prepared baking sheets. They won't spread very much at all. Place a half cherry on top of each cookie.
8. Bake at 300° for 20 minutes, or until lightly browned. Slide parchment paper and cookies directly onto a rack to cool.
9. Store in tightly covered container for up to 3 days.
10. Makes 36 cookies.