Coconut Delights

This recipe is great for people who don't like chocolate--or add chocolate chips for those who do! Normally at Christmas I make my "famous" sugar cookies for friends and family, but my dad loves coconut so I'm making these for him this year.

Crust Ingredients:

stick-and-a-half unsalted butter at room temperature
3 Tbs. sugar
1-1/2 cups flour

Top Ingredients:

4 eggs, separated
2-1/2 cups brown sugar
1 cup chopped walnuts
3/4 cup sweetened flake coconut
1-1/2 cups powdered sugar

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cream butter and sugar in large mixing bowl. Mix in flour until dough is crumbly and holds together when pinched. Press dough into 9 x 13 x 2-inch glass dish and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until lightly browned.

Just before removing from the oven, whisk egg yolks in bowl. Stir in brown sugar, walnuts and coconut.

In a separate bowl, beat egg whites until stiff. Fold stiff whites into brown-sugar mixture.
Spread over crust. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes more. The top will get very brown--that's OK.

Cool for about 30 minutes before cutting into small bars. Sprinkle with (or roll in) powdered sugar.