ISO: M&M birdnest cookies

I have made this recipe NUMEROUS times and it is always a hit. This is the original recipe.

Almond-Macaroon Easter Nests

2 c flour
1 T baking powder
1/4 t salt
3/4 c butter or margarine, at room temp
8 oz brick light cream cheese, at room temp
1 c sugar
3/4 t almond extract
7 oz sweetened flaked coconut
Red and Yellow food coloring
About 120 paster colored almond M&M's. I have also used peanut, but the almond does the best.

Mix flour, baking powder and salt in med bowl until blended. Beat butter and cream cheese in lg bowl w/electric mixer. Add sugar and almond extract. Beat 2 min or until fluffy. With mixer on low speed, gradually beat in flour mixture and 1 cup loosly packed coconut until well blended. Cover and refrigerate 45 min or until firm. Meanwhile put 1/2 c loosely packed coconut into 2 baggies and the remaining 1/2 c into a med bowl. Add 1 drop red food coloring to 1 baggie and 1 drop yellow to the other. Mix until color is blended well. Add to untinted coconut and toss to mix. Heat oven to 350. Divide dough in half and put half back in fridge. Roll slightly rounded Tbls dough into balls. You should have 20. Roll each into coconut until lightly coated. Place 2 inches apart on cookie sheets. Press 3 candies into each cookie to resemble eggs in a nest. Bake 16 minutes or until coconut starts to turn golden. Repeat w/remaining dough.

Good Luck