Marshmallow Squares

1/2 cup butter 1/4 cup brown sugar or confectioner's sugar1 cup all-purpose flour1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon unflavored gelatin 1/4 cup cold waterPinch of salt 1/2 cup boiling water1 1/2 cups sugar1 teaspoon vanilla extractCoconut, for garnish, optionalHeat oven to 350 degrees. Grease an 8-inch baking pan.Cream together butter, brown or confectioner's sugar and flour; press mixture into prepared pan. Bake about 10 minutes. Set aside to cool.In a large bowl soak gelatin in cold water for 5 minutes. Add boiling water and beat, gradually adding the sugar, salt and vanilla. Continue beating until fluffy. Pour onto crust and let set at room temperature. Cut into squares with a wet knife, sprinkle with toasted coconut if desired.Serves 16.Cook's note: Sometimes I cover the cookie crust with a thin layer of strawberry or raspberry preserves. Also, the marshmallows without the crust are very good. Just cut into squares and roll in fine coconut or melted chocolate.Nutrition values per serving: 284 calories, 14 g fat (9 g saturated), 28 g carbohydrates, trace amount fiber, 13 g protein, 37 mg cholesterol, 49 mg sodium.