INSIDE OUT ALMOND JOY MACAROONS

1 package (14 oz.) sweetened shredded coconut, divided

1/4 C. all purpose flour

1/4 C. sugar

1/4 C. light corn syrup

1/4 C. cream of coconut (such as Coco Casa or Coco Lopez -- DO NOT USE COCONUT MILK)

3 egg whites

2 T. unsalted butter, melted

1 t. vanilla extract

pinch of salt

32 chocolate 'kiss' candies with almonds, unwrapped

Mince 1 1/2 cups of the coconut in a food processor. (processing a portion of the coconut helps the dough hold together as it's shaped around the kisses) Transfer minced coconut to a bowl. Add the remaining coconut along with the other ingredients (except kisses). Mix gently with your hands until combined, then chill the dough for at least 1 hour and up to 24 hours.

Preheat oven to 350, line two baking sheets with parchment paper or coat with nonstick spray.

Shape a heaping tablespoon of dough around a chocolate kiss, enclosing the candy completely. Arrange cookies on prepared baking sheets, spacing 1" apart. Bake until firm and deep golden at the base and light golden on top, 16-18 minutes.

Let the macaroons cool on the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack.

Makes 32 cookies

Snowball Cookies

1 cup of butter

1/3 cup of sugar

2 tsp. of water

2 tsp of vanilla

2 cups of flour

1 cup of chopped nuts (I use pecans)

powdered sugar

Cream butter and sugar. Add vanilla and water. Mix well. Blend in flour and nuts. Gather dough together and wrap in cling wrap.

Chill four hours or overnight.

Shape into 48 equal size balls. Bake on un-greased cookie sheets, 325 degrees for 20 mins. (I’ll bake two sheets at a time – 24 cookies.)

Cool and roll in powdered sugar.

Black Forest Crinkle Cookies

Preheat oven to 350; line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Whisk together:

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

3/4 cup sugar

3/4 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp table salt

Melt 1/2 stick (4 Tbl) unsalted butter

Add to melted butter:

1/3 cup cocoa powder, whisking until smooth.

Stir in (fully blending in each one before adding the next one):

1 egg

1 tsp instant coffee granules dissolved in 2 Tbl hot water

1/2 tsp vanilla

Stir chocolate mixture into flour mixture just until combined.

Fold in:

1/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1/3 cup dried tart cherries

Shape into 2" balls and roll two times in powdered sugar (3/4 cup)

Place 2" apart on prepared baking sheets and bake for 12-14 minutes, or until cookies are cracked, yet still soft. Do not overbake. Let cookies cool on the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack.

Makes 2 dozen 3" cookies