Chewy Coconut Macaroons

Difficulty: easy Prep Time: Fifteen Minutes Total Time: Under an hour
11 oz white sugar
12 oz fine shredded, unsweetened coconut
2 oz golden corn syrup
1 vanilla bean, scraped
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 oz flour
6 oz egg whites
Maraschino/glace cherries for topping (optional)

Preheat oven to 350F. Mix all the ingredients in a bowl and place over a steam bath, stirring constantly (it will be thick the whole time) until the mixture reaches a temperature of 120F. Remove the bowl from the heat. Using a small ice cream scoop, place dollops of the mixture on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes, until they are golden brown and heated through. Remove from the oven and immediately top with maraschino cherries, if desired. Let cool completely on a wire rack. Yield: 1-2 dozen, depending on size.