Creating Forgotten Christmas Cookies is a simple process. Just follow these steps:

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Prepare Baking Sheets: Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
3. Whisk Egg Whites: In a mixing bowl, beat the egg whites until soft peaks form.
4. Add Sugar: Gradually add granulated sugar while continuing to beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form.
5. Incorporate Vanilla: Gently fold in the vanilla extract.
6. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine shredded coconut, chopped nuts, and salt.
7. Combine Mixtures: Fold the coconut and nut mixture into the egg white mixture until well combined.
8. Scoop Mixture: Use a tablespoon to scoop mounds of the mixture onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
9. Optional Chocolate Chips: If using, sprinkle chocolate chips on top of each mound.
10. Bake: Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the tops are lightly browned.
11. Turn Off Oven: After baking, turn off the oven but leave the cookies inside for an additional 30 minutes to allow them to dry out.
12. Cool: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool completely on the baking sheets.