Coconut Macaroons

Ingredients

4 1/2 cups (8 1/2 ounces) shredded unsweetened coconut
1 1/2 cups sugar
Pinch of sea salt
1 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons honey
1 1/2 tablespoons apricot jelly or jam (without any fruit pieces)
4 large (1/2 cup) egg whites

Instructions

• combine the coconut, sugar, and sea salt in a mixing bowl. set aside.
• place the butter in a small saucepan over low heat until just melted. immediately remove from the heat and stir in the honey and jelly(to avoid clumps of fruit, pulse a few times in a mini chopper). let rest for 1 minute.
• mix the egg whites into the coconut mixture.  followed by the butter mixture. stir  until completely blended.
• refridgerate mixture for a least an hour.
• line a cookie sheet with a silicone baking sheet. set aside.
• using a 2 tablespoon ice cream scooper, form mounds on prepared silpat pad.  shape into mountains or cones. fit as many cookies on this sheet as you can.
• place in the freezer for 30 minutes to an hour.
• preheat the oven to 350°F.
• prepare an additional baking sheet with a silicone mat.  place cold(not frozen) shaped macaroons on the 2nd baking sheet, spacing about 2″ apart.
• put baking sheet in preheated oven and bake for 16-18 minutes, rotating half way through, back to front.  they are ready when the cookies start to turn golden brown.
• place cookie sheet on a wire rack to cool completely.  remove from the silpat mat when completely cooled.  store in an airtight container.

* if you are wanting a chocolate version, add some mini chocolate chips to the sugar, coconut mixture.  I have also been known to dip the tips in melted bittersweet chocolate.