(Chocolate) Coconut Macaroons

I LOVE chocolate.  In fact, dessert is almost not dessert unless there's some chocolate in it.  So, I made coconut macaroons with mini chocolate chips!  They are so yummy and easy to make.  If you don't want chocolate and prefer a more traditional macaroon (although, I'm not sure why you would) knock yourself out.

(Chocolate) Coconut Macaroons (adapted from Ina Garten)

14 oz. sweetened shredded coconut
14 oz. sweetened condensed milk
1 t. vanilla extract
1 c. mini chocolate chips (if desired)
2 large egg whites
1/8 t. salt

Preheat oven to 325.  Combine the coconut, condensed milk, vanilla and chocolate chips (if desired) in a large bowl.  Whip the egg whites and salt on high speed in the bowl of an electric mixer with a whisk attachment until they make medium firm peaks (I used my hand mixer and it worked just fine.)  Carefully fold egg whites into the coconut mixture.

Drop the batter onto GREASED sheet pans (you will not be able to get them off of the pan if it's not greased) using a 1 3/4" diameter ice cream scoop, or 2 teaspoons.  Bake for 25-30 minutes (mine were perfect in 25 minutes) until golden brown.  Cool and serve.

Makes 28 cookies (128 calories each) according to my calculator on loseit.com