Almond Macaroon Nests

SUBMITTED BY: TYMEGJUS3

"This is a tradition at Easter in our family! A delicate butter cookie, decorated with colored coconut to look like a little nest and filled with chocolate covered almonds or peanuts. I like to color the coconut by placing it into a jar with the food coloring. Just close the lid and shake until colored. No messy hands!"

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PREP TIME	15 Min
COOK TIME	20 Min
READY IN	35 Min
Original recipe yield 3 dozen

SERVINGS

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Servings
USMETRIC

INGREDIENTS (Nutrition)

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup butter, softened
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
1 cup white sugar
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups flaked coconut
2 drops red food coloring
2 drops yellow food coloring
1 cup chocolate coated peanuts

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets. Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt, set aside.
In a medium bowl, cream together the butter, cream cheese, and sugar until smooth. Stir in the vanilla, then gradually beat in the dry ingredients. Divide the coconut into three separate containers. Color one portion red, one yellow, and leave one plain. Toss the colored coconut together with the plain. Roll cookie dough into walnut sized balls, roll the balls in the coconut mixture, then place them 2 inches apart onto the prepared cookie sheet. Press 1 candy into the center of each cookie.
Bake for 12 minutes in the preheated oven, then remove from the oven and press 2 more candies into the center of each cookie. Return to the oven to continue baking for another 4 to 5 minutes, until golden brown. Cool cookies on the baking sheet for a few minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.