Coconut Macaroons

to make the pastry cream: In a small saucepan, scald the milk over medium-high heat (bubbles start to form around the edge of the pan, but the milk is not boiling). While the milk is heating in a small bowl stir together the sugar, flour, and salt. (Mixing the flour with the sugar will prevent the flour from clumping when you add it to the egg yolks) In a medium bowl, whisk the egg yolks until blended, then slowly whisk in the flour mixture. The mixture will be thick and pasty.

Remove the milk from the heat and slowly add it to the egg-flour mixture, a little at a time, whisking constantly. When all of the milk has been incorporated, return the contents of the bowl to the saucepan and place over medium heat. Whisk continuously and vigorously for about 1 minute, or until the mixture thickens and comes to a boil. At first, the mixture will be very frothy and liquid; as it cooks longer, it will slowly start to thicken until the frothy bubbles disappear and it becomes more viscous. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla. Cover with plastic wrap, placing it directly on the surface of the cream, and let cool completely.

Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or butter it.

In a large bowl, combine the pastry cream, egg whites, sugar, and salt. Add the coconut and stir with a wooden spoon until well combined. (The dough can be made up to 5 days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.)

Using a cookie scoop or large spoon, form the dough into rounded mounds and place on a prepared baking sheet. Depending on the size of the cookies, bake 15-18 minutes for cookie scoop size and for 1/4 cup sized, 25-35 minutes, until they are golden brown, all over. Let cool on the baking sheet on a wire rack for at least 20 minutes, then transfer the cookies to the rack to cool completely.

The macaroons may be dipped in or drizzled with chocolate and can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.