Crisp Coconut Cookies

This intriguing cookie came to me by way of Carrie Fisher. The one from Carlisle, Pennsylvania, not the movie star. At first glance, it doesn’t seem different from other recipes of the same type. But in this recipe bicarbonate of ammonia is used as the leavening. That not only makes the cookies puff beautifully while they are baking, but also leaves them extremely crisp after they have cooled.

Baker’s ammonia is available in most Chinese grocery stores and in German