HERTZOG COOKIES

Steps:

• 1. Sift the flour, baking powder and salt together. Cream margarine/butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one by one and beat thorougly after each addition. Add dry ingredients and mix to form a soft dough. Add a little flour if dough is too moist, or a little water if dough is too dry. If you use large or jumbo sized eggs, this is normally not a problem.
• 2. Roll dough out thinly and press out circles. Line the base of greased patty pan tins with dough circles. Spoon a teaspoonful of apricot jam into the middle of each circle of dough.
• 3. Beat egg whites until soft peak stage. Add the sugar gradually, while still beating. Add coconut and spoon egg mixture onto apricot jam filling. Bake in a preheated oven at 180C (350F) for 20 - 25 minutes. Turn onto a wire rack to cool. Makes about 60 - 72 Hertzoggies.
• 4. Tip: To prevent the apricot jam from "leaking" during the baking process, add a teaspoon or two of flour to it. Festive Touch: Cut red or green glacé cherries into small pieces and add to coconut mixture.