Hertzog Cookies, or Hertzoggies are a traditional south african cookie

Hertzog Cookies, or Hertzoggies, a delicious blend of coconut and apricot jam, are uniquely South African cookies.

The Cookie Pastry:

· 1 lb self-raising flour
· 4 Tbsp sugar
· 2 Tbsp margarine
· 3 egg yolks
· milk or water (as required)
· 1 tsp vanilla essence
· ¼ tsp salt
 
Beat the margarine and sugar together in a bowl to a light and creamy consistency

Stir in the egg yolks and vanilla essence, taking care to blend well.
Sift the flour and the salt into the mixture, ensuring that it is thoroughly mixed.
Stir in enough milk or water so that a fairly stiff dough is formed.
Place the dough on a floured surface and roll out to a ¼ inch thickness. Cut into rounds with a cookie cutter.
Line a greased patty tin with the rounds of dough

The Cookie filling:

· 3 egg whites, stiffly beaten
· 2 cups desiccated coconut
· 1 cup sugar
· apricot jam

Gradually add the sugar to the beaten egg whites, beating well to blend.
Fold the coconut into the mixture and mix well.
Place a little apricot jam in the center of the rounds in the patties and spoon some of the coconut mixture over the jam.
Bake in the oven at 400o F for approximately 15 minutes. The pastry should be a light golden color.
Leave to cool slightly in the patty tin and then place on a rack and let the cookies cool completely.
Makes approximately 60 cookies. These may be stored in an airtight container for 2 weeks.

You'll find these cookies a real taste treat