I've tried several Coconut Macaroon recipes over the years (oh how I love them so!), but the recipe I had this year was the easiest by far!! I didn't have to buy coconut milk or cream of coconut, this just used items I always keep in my pantry (and fridge!).

Off the package of the Bakers Sweetned Coconut (5 1/3 cups total coconut), it's easier than pie!!

Coconut Macaroons

1 package (14oz) Bakers Angel Flake Coconut (5-1/3 cups)

2/3 cup sugar

6 T flour

1/4 tsp. salt

4 egg whites

1 tsp almond extract

MIX coconut, sugar, flour, and salt in large bowl. Stir in eff whites and almond extract until well blended. Drop tablespoonfuls onto greased and floured cookie sheets (*I used parchment paper this year and it was SUPER easy!!).

BAKE at 325 degrees for 20 minutes or until edges of cookies are golden brown. Immediately remove to wire racks and cool completely. Makes about 3 dozen or 18 servings/2 cookies each.

CHOCOLATE DIPPED MACAROONS:

(*I usually drizzle chocolate on top of cookies as getting more waxed paper or parchment paper out seems like too much work, but the dipped would probably look a lot better than my chocolate clumps;) )

Melt 1 package (8 squares) of Bakers Semi-Sweet Baking chocolate as directed on package (or if you're me, use about a package of chocolate chips with about 1 T of vegetable oil/olive oil). Dip cookies halfway into chocolate, let excess drip off. Let stand at room temperature or refridgerate on wax-paper lined tray 30 minutes or until chocolate is firm

I went for the cheap, 23 cent, photo Christmas Cards from Winkflash.

BIG mistake.

Not only did they not ship my order until 8 days after it was placed, they chose to only refund my payment 3 weeks later after I had already disputed the charge with my credit card company for non-receipt.

With customer service like this, they'll find themselves falling victim to the downturn in the economy. Customers won't put up with that shit -- and neither will I!

BUY FROM SHUTTERFLY -- THEY ROCK!!!

The boys and I picked up a load of books for November to read (since the two very close, local libraries were being closed for rennovations). They were great for the Harvest season and for Giving Thanks :) Ok - some were just fun ;)

The List:

Down on the Farm by Merrily Kutner

The Very Lonely Firefly by Eric Carle

Three Little Kittens by Marilyn Janovitz

Thank You World by Alice B. McGinty

What's the Matter, Habibi? by Betsy Lewin

Tawny Scrawny Lion by Kathryn Jackson

Guess Whose Shadow? by Stephen r. Swinburne

From Foal to Horse by Robin Nelson

Growing Colors by Bruce McMillan

An Octopus is Amazing by Patricia Lauber

Fighting Fires by Seymour Simon

A Day in the Life of a Firefighter by Linda Hayward

The Eentsy, Weentsy Spider by Joanna Cole and Stephanie Calmenson

The boys and I had planned on writing short synopsis of the books and why we liked them, but they are due to the library and we've had too much fun doing other things ;)

Enjoy!

M 641 Giveaway!