Pineapple Vanilla Wafer Cookies

COOKIE DOUGH:

½ cup sugar

¼ cup (½ stick) butter

1 large egg, well beaten

½ cup drained crushed pineapple, with ½ cup juice reserved

½ cup finely chopped walnuts

1 (12-ounce) box vanilla wafers

COATING:

½ cup sugar

¼ cup (½ stick) butter

1 large egg, well beaten

½ cup reserved pineapple juice

Flaked coconut

For the cookie dough, in a large saucepan combine the sugar, butter, egg, pineapple, and walnuts. Bring to a boil, and boil 5 minutes. Turn off the heat and let the mixture bubble a few minutes. Cool until thickened. Spread the mixture on the bottom of a vanilla wafer. Top with another wafer, making a sandwich. Repeat, using all of the cookies. Place on a cookie sheet and refrigerate overnight.

For the coating, in a medium saucepan combine the sugar, butter, egg, and the reserved pineapple juic. Bring the mixture to a boil, and boil 5 minutes. Turn off the heat and let the mixture bubble a few minutes. Refrigerate until completely cooled. Using your fingers, rub the coating all over the cookies. Roll the cookies in coconut. Place in the freezer to set.

Note: These cookies are better if you freeze them for a couple of days before you serve them.

Makes 12 servings

Niki Snedeger, HRH Princess Nic Dutchess of Ding-A-Ling
Red Hatted Madd Hatters,
West Valley City, Utah