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Coconut-Pistachio Meringues
© Quentin Bacon

Coconut-Pistachio Meringues

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  • ACTIVE: 20 MIN
  • TOTAL TIME: 2 HRS
  • SERVINGS: Makes about 4 dozen cookies
  • •MAKE-AHEAD

Delicate and substantial at the same time, Nick Malgieri's pistachio-topped coconut meringues are chewy on the inside and crisp on the outside. For the best results, bake them on a dry day: Humidity can make meringues disappointingly soft.

  1. 2 cups sweetened shredded coconut (7 ounces)
  2. 1 cup sugar
  3. 2 teaspoons cornstarch
  4. 4 large egg whites
  5. Pinch of salt
  6. 1/2 cup salted roasted pistachios, coarsely chopped and sifted to remove dust
  1. Preheat the oven to 300° and position racks in the middle and lower thirds. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. In a food processor, pulse the coconut, 1/3 cup of the sugar and the cornstarch until finely ground. In the bowl of a standing electric mixer fitted with the whisk, beat the egg whites and salt at medium-high speed until firm peaks form. Add the remaining 2/3 cup of the sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, and beat until stiff. Fold in the coconut mixture.
  3. Transfer the meringue to a pastry bag fitted with a 1/2-inch star tip. Pipe 1 1/2-inch mounds of meringue onto the baking sheets, about 1 inch apart. Sprinkle with the pistachios and bake for 25 minutes, until the meringues are very slightly browned and set but not dry; shift the sheets from top to bottom and front to back halfway through for even baking. Turn the oven off, prop the door open about 8 inches and let the meringues dry for 1 hour. Transfer the baking sheets to racks and let the cookies cool completely.