Island Macaroons

Photo: flickr user idovermani

Ingredients

3 cups sweetened flaked coconut

1 cup unsalted macadamia nuts chopped

1 cup sweetened condensed milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 egg whites

1 pch salt

6 ounces bittersweet (not unsweetened) or semisweet chocolate, chopped, melted

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350F. Place coconut and macadamia nuts on large cookie sheet. Bake until lightly toasted, stirring frequently, about 12 minutes.

Cool. Maintain oven temperature.

Line 2 large cookie sheets with parchment paper. Grease parchment.

Combine condensed milk and vanilla in large bowl. Mix in coconut and macadamia nuts thoroughly. Using electric mixer, beat egg whites and salt

Until stiff but not dry. Fold whites into coconut mixture. Drop batter by rounded tablespoons onto prepared cookie sheets. Bake until macaroons just turn golden brown around edges, about 14 minutes. Cool completely on

Cookie sheets.

Line another cookie sheet with waxed paper. Dip cookie bottoms into melted chocolate. Place cookies, chocolate side down, on prepared cookie sheet. Refrigerate until chocolate is set, about 15 minutes. (Can be prepared 4 days ahead. Store cookies in airtight container in refrigerate.)

Makes about 24.