Makes about 2 Dozen Cookies The Cook & Kitchen Staff are taking you to four different corners of the world to serve up a variety of regional holiday specialties. Were currently offering you a taste of the holidays in Brazil, so break out your shorts and T-shirt and head to the kitchen right now to prepare these delectable little cookies. Christmas in Brazil is a most festive occasion that ushers in the beginning of summer. The tropical temperatures make Christmas in Brazil a unique holiday, where the lights and glitter of Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, and Brasilia sparkle long into the night. Todays recipe is a Brazilian favorite and you will find many variations of this most basic recipe served in homes all over Brazil during the holidays. Theyre called Maizena cookies because thats the brand name for cornstarch in Brazil, and cornstarch is the primary ingredient in these tasty little melt-in-your-mouth cookies. Preheat oven to 375-F degrees. Lightly grease a baking or cookie sheet. Sift cornstarch, sugar, and salt together in a large mixing bowl. Add the lightly beaten egg and blend in the butter, incorporating the coconut as well, if desired. Knead well. Let stand for 10 to 15 minutes. To prepare traditionally shaped Biscoitos de Maizena, roll about a 1-inch ball in the palms of your freshly cleaned hands and drop each cookie onto the prepared cookie sheet. Using the tines of a fork, gently press the cookie flat with a criss-crossed pattern. You may elect to use a cookie press to drop your cookies on the prepared cookie sheet, also. Bake for about 8 to 10 minutes, depending on cookie size. Let cool and serve with a steaming cup of Brazilian coffee. Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks. Posted to dailyrecipe@recipe-a-day.com by Recipe-a-Day on Dec 2, 1998,