Macaroon Squares

Just a basic macaroon bar, but with several variations. At Christmas time these are very nice to wrap individually and tuck into a gift basket. They aren't crumbly and stay moist for a long time.

• Ready In: 50 mins
• Serves: 24
• Yields: 24 bars

Ingredients

• 3 3⁄4 cups sweetened coconut
• 3⁄4 cup sugar
• 1⁄4 cup flour
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 3  egg whites
• 1  whole egg
• 1  teaspoon  almond extract

• additions of your choice

• 1  cup chocolate chips or 1  cup  candied cherries or 1  cup  chopped maraschino cherries or 1  cup  mixed candied fruit or 1  cup  toffee pieces or 1  cup  miniature M&M baking bits

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350*.
2. Line a 9x9 pan with parchment and lightly grease the parchment.
3. STIR together (don't use a mixer) first 4 ingredients, and add egg whites, whole egg and extract. Mix til well blended. Stir in chocolate chips.
4. Spread mixture into prepared pan, and bake for 35 minutes or til lightly golden. Cool completely and then allow to sit overnight before cutting.