We are introduced, at an early age, to the sweet wondernous of a cookie. From teething cookies to soothe the swollen aching gums of incoming incisors, onto animal crackers purchased in rectangular-shaped boxes bearing a string handle for easy toting by little fingers. Deciding which part of the animal should be eaten first-the trunk of the elephant or the tail of a lion-depended on how hungry one was. Savor each and every one or simply gobble them down as fast as possible.

My next cookie memory would be the ever famous, possibly all-time favorite, the chocolate chip cookie. There is nothing better than to bite into a round circle of baked dough sprinkled with gooey melt-in-your-mouth chocolate. A chocolate chip cookie can dry tears, heal broken hearts, mend scraped knees and elbows and solve sibling arguments. Most of the problems in the world could likely be solved by a properly baked, right out of the oven, chocolate chip cookie. The power of a cookie is underestimated.

I will attempt in the next 365 days to prepare and comment on a year’s worth of different cookies-one for each day. My goal is to share with others my extreme love of cookies-baking them and especially eating them! Feel free to send me your favorite recipe, your earliest cookie memories, or how cookies may have influenced your life. Cookies Rule!


Monday, February 15, 2010

Cookie Recipe #44 - Coconut-Macadamia Kisses

This is a Weight-Watchers recipe for those of you who are still watching your waistlines since the January 1st resolution to lose weight, but still enjoy a little sweetness. My neighbor, Gail, is on the program and looks "fabulous". She's my walking partner, confidante, listener, advice-giver, cookie taster, and all-round good friend.

These take awhile to bake and then cool, so plan ahead or make them in the evening and let them sit in the oven overnight. They will be ready for breakfast with your coffee!

Ingredients: 3 large egg whites, at room temperature, pinch of salt, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1/4 cup shredded coconut, 1 teaspoon coconut extract (I used vanilla extract), 18 macadamia nuts, halved.

Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Line baking sheet with parchment paper or foil. In medium bowl, combine egg whites and salt with electric mixer; beat until foamy. Gradually add sugar, beating until shiny and stiff peaks form when beater is lifted (this can take a few minutes; tossing your bowl and beaters in the freezer for a few minutes before beginning helps this process). Fold in coconut and extract.

Either with a pastry bag fitted with a large star tip or a heavy-duty food storage bag with a corner snipped off, fill with meringue mixture and pipe 36 equal rosettes on prepared baking sheet. Arrange half of a macadamia nut in center of each rosette.

Bake in preheated 250 degree oven 40 minutes, until edges begin to dry and kisses are lightly browned. Turn oven off; let kisses dry in oven, about 3 hours or overnight, until crisp (I found 2 hours was sufficient). Peel paper from kisses and enjoy.

Store in airtight container. Makes 36 rosettes.

Recipe is out of "Weight Watchers complete cookbook and program basics"published by Macmillan in 1994.

Two cookies equals 46 calories.

Cookies Rule!!!

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