Coconut Macaroons (a.k.a. Lauren's Favorites)

These took 5 minutes this morning and they're so pretty. You can dip the tops in melted chocolate or drizzle over the tops . . .

14 ounces sweetened shredded coconut
14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 extra-large egg whites, at room temperature
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

Combine the coconut, condensed milk, and vanilla in a large bowl. Whip the egg whites and salt on high speed in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment until they make medium-firm peaks. Carefully fold the egg whites into the coconut mixture.

Drop the batter onto sheet pans lined with parchment paper using either a 1 3/4-inch diameter ice cream scoop, or two teaspoons. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until golden brown. Cool and serve.

Whoopie Pies

Check this out.

1/2 cup butter
1 egg
1 cup sugar
2 cups flour
1/2 t. baking powder
1.5 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt
1 cup milk
1 t. vanilla
1/2 cup cocoa

Filling: 1 cup crisco, 1 cup sugar, 1.5 cups Marshamallow Fluff, 1 t. vanilla

Bake at 425 for 7-8 minutes.

P.S. There are some members of my family who beg for double cream filling...

Calzones

1/2 lb. pork sausage
1 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped pepper
2 medium tomatoes
1/3 cup tomato paste
1 t. dried basil
1/2 t. dried thyme
1.5 cups shredded mozarella cheese

1 beaten egg

Mix and fill pizza dough like turnovers. Bush with egg and bake at 375 for 30-35 minutes.